When Melbourne actuary David Orford went into business in 1978 he never imagined that Financial Synergy would one day grow into a software company that he would sell to IRESS for $90 million, allowing him and his wife Delyce to give away millions.

Mr Orford, Financial Synergy's founder and chairman who owns 81 per cent of the business, will net $73 million from the sale and will use some of that windfall to set up three philanthropic scholarships.