Francis A Jones is where people count and this includes our valued clients and our treasured team members.
At Francis A Jones we recruit qualified professionals or accountants nearing qualification who gain valuable experience and training under the guidance and close supervision of partners and senior professionals while they complete or further their studies. Our number one criteria when recruiting FAJ people is to find those that will fit the FAJ culture and embrace our values.
The majority of our professional and support team have been with us for many years and as a client you will become familiar with various team members at different levels to ensure you have constant access to our full range of services. Our average stay of all current team members, even allowing for our recently commenced graduates, is currently sitting at over 14 years. Our team retention record is the envy of the industry.
Our partners have all ‘done their time’ as FAJ employees, most of us commencing as graduate accountants many years ago.
Francis A Jones is a great place to work, and you’ll notice the difference this makes through the service levels you receive.
To contact a team member directly, please visit our contacts page.
A profile for each of our Partners is shown below.
More details on our Home Loans division can be found on it’s dedicated web site.
FAJ PARTNERS
Ben Paganoni
Approved SMSF Auditor
Since graduating from Curtin University in 2000 and gaining his CPA a couple of years later, Ben has worked in just about every area of taxation and accounting at FAJ, and his clients are as diverse as the solutions he seeks for them every day.
His career at FAJ actually commenced in 1996 when he commenced full time employment while studying at university on a part time basis graduating as a Bachelor of Commerce from Curtin in February 2000.
Although he has completed more than 25 years of service at FAJ, Ben brings a youthful enthusiasm and dynamic presence to the company.
Ben and his team look after a broad range of clients, helping them to strategically grow their businesses and plan for the future.
Ben keeps up his energy with the occasional long walk on the golf course and trying to keep pace with his three young children.
Contact Ben or his personal assistant Cynthia Ripley directly by submitting your enquiry on our contacts page.
Daniel Papaphotis - Audit Partner
Registered Company Auditor
Approved SMSF Auditor
Since graduating from Murdoch University in 2007, Daniel has been a part of the FAJ team for pretty much his whole working life, with the exception of a year travelling the world.
As Partner in charge of our auditing department, he has expanded our audit client list and enjoys working with clubs and associations, not-for-profit organisations, real estate and settlement agents, and clients with trust accounts.
You could say that as a Registered Company Auditor, family man with two kids, former State representative in both football and basketball, powerboat owner and red wine fancier, Daniel ticks all the boxes. If only he didn’t barrack for West Coast Eagles!
Given his commitment and his understanding of our culture, our approach and our clients, Daniel is a valuable Partner at FAJ. Daniel also voluntarily sits on the Boards of Seton Catholic College, St Jeromes Primary School and the Kai Eardley Foundation.
Daniel and his personal assistant Rhonda Ebbs can be contacted by submitting your enquiry on our contacts page.
Mark Douglas - Managing Partner
Approved SMSF Auditor
After almost 40 years at FAJ, Mark has recently announced his retirement and will be leaving our firm at 1 July 2025. We are pleased to advise that Matthew Moonen will become the Managing Partner at that time and will lead the firm into the next phase of it’s long existence.
The ‘people first’ culture at FAJ, where clients and team members really do count, is Mark’s proudest achievement in his long history at Francis A Jones. Joining the company as a student trainee at age 17 in 1986, Mark completed both his University and CPA studies on a part time basis after hours. He qualified with a Bachelor of Business from Curtin University in 1992 and then completed his CPA within 12 months.
As Managing Partner of Francis A Jones, Mark takes personal responsibility for business development, quality assurance and most importantly, the education, development and well-being of our entire team.
Mark is passionate about helping businesses plan and grow and with the help of his team has simplified the business planning process for clients to make it understandable, affordable and practical. When working with business owners Mark identifies the real issues and opportunities, and delivers clear, concise and achievable action plans.
Mark is a voluntary Board member of Fremantle Press, a Not For Profit that identifies and publishes emerging Western Australian writers. He also authors a weekly column in the Fremantle Herald.
Mark’s personal assistant is Nicola Stone. Nicola or Mark can be contacted directly by submitting your enquiry on our contacts page.
Matthew Moonen
Approved SMSF Auditor
Starting at FAJ with vacation employment in 1990, Matthew graduated from Curtin University in 1994 being honoured as the best graduate in a Taxation Major, and achieved CPA status three years later.
Matt has vast experience in all areas of business, property and superannuation, and specialises in advising the medical industry.
Matthew has a knack for solving problems, with an incredible ability to think outside the square and then deliver clear, considered and actionable advice.
When Matt‘s not at FAJ, he’s busy exercising, surfing or spending time with his young family.
With the approach of Mark Douglas‘ retirement from the firm, Matthew will become the Managing Partner of FAJ from 1 July 2025. Long term employee Rhys Frewin will be welcomed as the newest FAJ partner at the same time, and will lead Matthew’s existing team in servicing his clients.
Matthew’s personal assistant is Jenny Ridley. Jenny or Matthew can be contacted directly by submitting your enquiry on our contacts page.
Michael McGrath
Approved SMSF Auditor
Mike is a small and medium sized business specialist, and his clients cover some of Fremantle and surrounding areas’ most successful companies.
Completing his accounting degree at Curtin University and attaining CPA membership, Mike has been with FAJ since he left school in 1985, and a partner since 2001.
He is experienced in all areas of taxation, accounting and business advice, helping clients through corporate or structural issues. He also has a strong focus on self-managed super.
Away from FAJ, Mike enjoys a busy family life with his wife and four boys, ducking from one sporting event to the next on most weekends.
Michael’s personal assistant is Hayley Kersten. Hayley or Michael can be contacted directly by submitting your enquiry on our contacts page.
Michael Basilio
With almost 20 years of service at Francis A Jones, Michael brings a wealth of experience and tax knowledge to the partnership.
A lifetime Spearwood and Fremantle local who now lives in Cockburn, Michael joined FAJ soon after graduating from Murdoch University, introduced to the firm by his parents, who were clients.
As a tax specialist with superannuation expertise, Michael helps clients with complex income tax matters, as well as small to medium businesses. Mike explains complicated matters in clear language so his clients have a clear understanding of all of their tax obligations.
Mike loves to travel and to enjoy the city’s restaurants and night life with friends, and gets to the gym when time permits.
Michael, or his personal assistant Carmel Butterfield, can be contacted directly by submitting your enquiry on our contacts page.
Ryan Christie
In more than 15 years with Francis A Jones, Ryan has proven his appetite for challenges and his capacity to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of our clients. He proficiently stepped into the senior role of overseeing our merger with accounting firm Anthony Terribile & Co in 2021, co-ordinating the transition of two similar firms with parallel aims but different approaches.
Ryan expertly navigated the challenge of merging two firms without causing any undue disruption to clients, with the support of the existing Terribile team who remain part of Ryan’s team today.
Acknowledging that the administrative load of his role is fairly significant, Ryan says that the support of his fellow partners at FAJ is a relief and a source of experience and advice that’s available on demand. He remains focused on building and maintaining client relationships and makes himself available to clients for any reason at any time.
Outside of work, Ryan is kept busy with a young family whilst also maintaining an interest in sports, most notably football, cricket and basketball.
Ryan is supported in his role by long-time team member Meredith McLennan, and both Ryan and Meredith can be contacted directly by submitting your enquiry on our contacts page.
Rhys Frewin
Rhys has recently been invited to become a Partner at Francis A Jones from July 2025 and will lead a long established FAJ team as Matthew Moonen transitions into the Managing Partner role.
Rhys graduated from UWA in 2013 with a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and Finance. He commenced as a graduate at FAJ in 2014 and has over 10 years experience in tax planning across a broad range of industries.
Rhys provides tailored strategic advice which aims to minimise tax and improve profitability, and excels in managing his clients affairs efficiently and accurately.
Rhys says "I‘m looking forward to my future as an FAJ Partner, and especially in building long-term relationships with new and existing clients. I’ve been blessed with a fantastic team and I‘m enjoying meeting Matthew’s clients during this handover phase."
Rhys will be supported in his role by long-time team member Jenny Ridley and both Rhys and Jenny can be contacted directly by submitting your enquiry on our contacts page.
