Obsidian Advisory

Founded in 2020 by Chartered Accountants Joe Hart and Luke Moylan, Obsidian Advisory set out to challenge the stereotype of accountants hidden behind jargon and paperwork. With backgrounds spanning boutique firms to Big 4 banks, Joe and Luke built a practice centred on plain-English advice, digital-first workflows, and a strong personal touch. 

Certified as Xero Gold Partners and Advisors, Obsidian offers services across accounting and tax, outsourced CFO, and bookkeeping and payroll. From helping clients navigate pandemic grants to implementing long-term digital strategies, they’ve become a trusted partner for businesses looking for clarity and growth.

Opportunity 

As demand for their services grew, Obsidian faced two major challenges: 

• Scaling quickly without the high costs of expanding their onshore team too soon 

• Maintaining consistent quality through uncertain conditions, including pandemic disruptions and local skills shortages

Strategy 

Joe and Luke designed a staffing model that separated client-facing work from production and execution. Their local team would focus on relationships and communication, while offshore staff could manage delivery, administration, and back-office functions. 

To make it work, they needed a partner who could provide skilled people, reliable support, and alignment with their business goals. That’s when they turned to hammerjack. 

Solution 

Obsidian engaged hammerjack to build a dedicated offshore team in the Philippines. Starting with production roles, the team grew steadily as the firm expanded. 

By early 2022, Obsidian had six full-time offshore staff, four of whom were added in just 12 months. Their offshore team now covers not only production but also administrative functions, enabling the local team to focus on client engagement and growth. 

Results 

• Scaled their team quickly without the high costs of local full-time hires 
• Maintained service quality and consistency even during staffing shortages in Australia 
• Increased flexibility to match resourcing with demand 
• Freed up partners and onshore staff to focus on client service and strategy 

Obsidian has been able to grow market share while keeping costs under control, building resilience through uncertain conditions.

Client Testimonial

“Since joining hammerjack we’ve been able to scale our business rapidly and with significant cost benefits. Scaling our business this way has avoided the common cycle where staff and partners are stretched to breaking point before hiring. 

A big part of the success has been through the quality of candidates. hammerjack took the time to align with our culture and goals, and our offshore team now delivers consistent, high-quality work. I would have no hesitation recommending them to any business.” 

 — Joe Hart, Obsidian Advisory

Obsidian Advisory set out to build a modern accounting firm with flexibility at its core. By partnering with hammerjack, they’ve scaled faster, kept costs down, and grown with confidence. 

Thinking about how offshore talent could support your growth? Talk to our team today and explore how we can help you scale on your terms.