Collins Hume’s Chris Horne flourishing in specialist niche

Chris Horne knows that tax and super isn’t always about the numbers.

In his role, Chris’ pathway has led him into a specialist niche space — often an intricate one — where psychology, trust and careful listening matter as much as technical skill.

Over his 10 years with Collins Hume, Chris has focused on supporting larger clients and family groups — many of them retired or passing responsibility to the next generation.

In practice, this means looking after complex client issues that need more all-encompassing support, preparing to unwind business structures when they come to a close, and helping clients understand that what looks like “tax simplified” could, in fact, make things more complicated.

Importantly, Chris also recognises when succession and estate planning should be considered, connecting clients with specialists to guide those conversations further to support wealth accumulators or retirees with asset protection and legacy considerations.

What makes his contribution distinctive is the way he approaches these intricacies. Chris listens carefully, notices nuances and pays attention to what isn’t said as much as what is. His flair lies in combining technical nouse with personal care — very much a “compassionate bedside patter” — drawing out what really matters when there is hesitancy, whether in complex family arrangements or broader client groups.

His efforts are strengthened by the wider services Collins Hume provides — often business valuations conducted by Strategy360, streamlined bookkeeping by the Books360 team, and the adoption of AI if necessary — ensuring clients benefit from broad and forward-looking support.

For Chris, Collins Hume is the right professional home because of its flexibility, mutual respect and alignment of family values. Having leaders like the Partners who share those priorities has been important in shaping how he balances career and life.

“I’ve been here 10 years, and both the clients and the people I work with continue to inspire me,” says Chris. “Collins Hume was progressive when I joined in 2015, and the firm has come in leaps and bounds in embracing our digital business and financial environment.”

This month marks 10 years since Chris joined Collins Hume — a milestone that reflects his commitment and the depth of specialist services he has provided in this complex area. It’s his steady, specialist approach — balancing technical expertise with sensitivity to client needs — that has made Chris a trusted adviser for Collins Hume’s clients over the past decade, and will continue to guide his work in the years ahead.

Looking forward, Chris is clear that preparation is everything

“If you’re thinking about selling your business in the next five years, get in touch. The earlier those conversations start, the better the outcomes tend to be,” Chris added.

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At Collins Hume Chris Horne is a Senior Accountant and Chartered Accountant (CAANZ) with a Bachelor of Business (Accounting), a Graduate Diploma in Superannuation (UNSW) and is a Xero Certified Advisor. Outside of work he is Team Manager of the Byron Bay soccer team, follows the AFL’s Geelong Cats and enjoys cooking, gardening and woodwork.