In the world of business, where financial wisdom and strategic foresight reign supreme, Max Lewis Consultants Pte Ltd has emerged as a shining beacon of expertise and dedication. Founded by the visionary Mr. Albert Tan in 2007, this Singapore-based consultancy company has grown from strength to strength, offering a comprehensive suite of business valuation, transfer pricing, GST and tax services to clienteles across diverse industries. In this exclusive interview, we delve deep into the story behind Max Lewis Consultants Pte Ltd and discover the driving force behind its remarkable success.
Max Lewis Consultants Pte Ltd stands as a testament to Mr. Albert Tan’s journey from a young polytechnic Accountancy diploma graduate to a qualified ACCA member. In remembrance of the appreciation for the polytechnic scholarship awarded to him in his final year, the company was founded in June 2007 using the donor’s name “Max Lewis”. Initially, it provided services such as incorporation, bookkeeping, taxation, GST, and corporate secretarial services. However, in 2018, Mr Albert Tan saw potential business opportunities in the area of business valuation and he decided to focus on this specialist sector. In 2018, the company ventured into business valuation, with the subsequent year witnessing the addition of intellectual property rights valuation, plant and equipment valuation, transfer pricing and GST ASK certification services to it’s arsenal.
The company’s operations are deeply rooted in Singapore, serving primarily small and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs). These enterprises, with revenue ranging from below S$ 100,000 to more than $100 million, including publicly listed companies, overseas MNCs, private limited companies, LLPs, and sole proprietorships. Notably, Max Lewis Consultants Pte Ltd also caters to overseas clients from around the South-East Asia region as well as India and China.
Max Lewis Consultants Pte Ltd embarked on its journey with humble beginnings, initially securing just one to three bookkeeping and tax clients. Mr. Albert Tan continued to work as a Chief Financial Officer for various private and public-listed companies, primarily due to the nascent stage of his consultancy venture until 2018 when his former employer sold their business. It was during this time, that Mr Albert Tan saw business opportunities arising from The Committee on the Future Economy (CFE) report which identified Business Valuation as one of the nine high-growth practice areas in Singapore. Thus, Mr Albert Tan decided to venture into business valuation thereby initiating a transformative phase from a bookkeeping company.
Mr. Albert Tan’s early beginning as a Junior Accounts Assistant at Price Waterhouse, where he honed his skills in bookkeeping, tax, GST and gradually progressed to external auditing with big firms like BDO and Deloitte. This is a testament to his foundation in financial skills. His next 20 years in the commercial sector as Chief Financial Officer of private and public-listed companies further sharpened his business acumen and leadership abilities. This wealth of experience has been instrumental in guiding Mr Albert Tan to shape Max Lewis Consultants Pte Ltd to its current position of prominence.
Max Lewis Consultants Pte Ltd distinguishes itself through its unique selling points. The company’s ability to adapt to evolving market dynamics, such as the surge in demand for business valuation due to the Covid-19 pandemic, sets it apart. Many business owners sought the company’s expertise in valuing their businesses for purposes like divestment, expansion, legal disputes, or matrimonial proceedings. Mr. Albert Tan himself possesses a remarkable suite of professional qualifications, which is a rarity in the industry. This, combined with a commitment to Max Lewis’s motto “partnering clients success” has solidified Max Lewis Consultants Pte Ltd’ position as an industry leader.
Max Lewis Consultants Pte Ltd has garnered a string of prestigious awards that underscore its exceptional performance and expertise. In 2022, Mr. Albert Tan secured the Entrepreneur 100 award, the Singapore SME 500 and PSME 500 award. In the field of Business Valuation, they earned the title of the Best Business Valuation Firm 2022 and the Best Intellectual Property Rights Valuation Firm South East Asia at the fifth annual APAC Insider Singapore Business Awards, the Best Plant and Equipment Valuer, APAC South East Asia Business Awards, Intellectual Property Rights Valuation Consultancy Firm of the Year Global Awards 2023/24, Plant & Equipment Valuation Consultancy Firm of the Year 2023/24, Goods & Services Tax Consultancy Firm of the Year 2023/24, Best Business Valuation Consultancy Firm of the Year Global Awards 2022/23 by CorporateLiveWire. Their Transfer Pricing services were also recognized with accolades such as the Best Transfer Pricing Advisory Specialists- Singapore at the South East Asia Awards and the Best Transfer Pricing Consultancy Firm of the Year Global Awards 2022/23 by CorporateLiveWire.
Looking ahead, Max Lewis Consultants Pte Ltd has set ambitious goals for itself. The company aspires to acquire a Capital Market Financial Advisory Service License from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to offer their clients expert guidance on corporate finance matters, including IPO listings and various mergers and acquisitions.
The decisive move towards the business valuation sector has borne fruits over the past few years and has significantly contributed to the growth of the Company. He is excited about the boundless possibilities within this field and aims to bring the boundaries of business valuation to new heights by offering intellectual property rights valuation like valuation of trademarks, patents and brands etc which is another key growth area identified by the Government to promote Singapore into an Intellectual Property Hub.
Mr. Albert Tan approaches life’s challenges with resilience and a problem-solving mindset. He firmly believes that confronting challenges head-on and devising solutions is the key to success. Instead of dwelling on the consequences, he focuses on taking proactive steps to overcome obstacles.
With the initial six years with the Big Four accounting firms and subsequent 21-years journey as the Chief Financial Officer of private and public- listed entities, provided Mr. Albert Tan with a unique perspective on how successful entrepreneurs make strategic decisions and conceive business strategies. This experience, coupled with his deep understanding of various business functions, has shaped his vision and business acumen, giving him a distinct advantage in the industry. In November 2022, the company successfully registered “Max Lewis Consultants Pte Ltd” as it’s trademark.
In conclusion, Max Lewis Consultants Pte Ltd, under the leadership of Mr. Albert Tan, embodies a perfect blend of experience, expertise, and a commitment to excellence. As they continue to chart new territories in the world of business valuation, their clients can rest assured that they have a trusted partner for success. With a vision for the future and an unwavering dedication to their craft, Max Lewis Consultants Pte Ltd is poised for a bright and prosperous future in the industry.
