Don Blackwell, CPA

Don joined Carbon in 2025 through the successful partnership between his firm Advantage One and Carbon Adelaide. With over 30 years’ experience in accounting and business advisory, including more than two decades at Advantage One, Don brings a deep understanding of what drives businesses forward and how to support the people behind them.

He loves getting amongst the detail and digging deep behind the numbers. With a coaching style that’s supportive and meticulous, Don brings high-level insight across taxation, commercial planning and business services. He enjoys the challenge of blending compliance obligations with helping clients reach their commercial goals.

At the core of Don’s approach are two simple but powerful questions:
What is it you want from life? And how do you want to go about achieving it?

He doesn’t believe in one-size-fits-all advice. Instead he educates and guides clients toward goals they’ve agreed on together. Like a good coach, he talks tactics and strategies, gets involved, and works collaboratively to uncover what’s best and how to make it happen. Don is personable, direct and genuinely invested in client success. He thrives when working with medical practitioners, retailers, real estate professionals, light industrial businesses, primary producers, hospitality operators and labour-hire agencies. Whatever the industry, Don brings clarity, strategy and a steady hand. His style is about more than just good advice; it’s about making business feel manageable. He takes the time to understand the people behind the business and guides them with confidence, especially when navigating complex decisions. Whether it’s planning for the next quarter or the next generation, Don’s approach is collaborative and practical.

Accounting and Taxation

Don provides expert guidance across all areas of accounting and taxation, helping clients stay compliant while making the most of available opportunities. His advice goes beyond the basics, he helps clients structure their affairs efficiently, minimise tax and make better-informed decisions based on real financial insight.

Superannuation and Retirement Strategies

Planning for retirement is about more than just super contributions. Don works closely with clients to develop tailored superannuation strategies that align with their lifestyle goals and financial position. Whether you’re looking to maximise your retirement savings or start drawing down, Don provides clarity on the rules and confidence in the strategy.

Business Performance Improvement

Don takes a commercial view of business performance, helping clients identify what’s working, what’s not, and where to focus next. Through benchmarking, cash flow analysis and strategic planning, he supports businesses to lift profitability, improve operational efficiency, and achieve long-term sustainability.

Business Tips from Don

1. Don’t treat compliance as a tick-box exercise. Use your tax and financial data to spark better business decisions.
2. Structure for success. The way your business or investments are set up today can impact your future flexibility, tax outcomes and asset protection.
3. Back yourself but don’t go it alone. Business is a team sport. Surround yourself with people who challenge your thinking and sharpen your strategy.

Get to Know Don

Don gives back to the community in some pretty unique ways. He co-founded and then managed a community water supply co-operative for 17 years, providing his brand of practical, commercial advice in an honorary role. And when bushfire season hits, you’ll find him on the frontlines as an active volunteer with the Country Fire Service (CFS), helping to protect the Adelaide Hills.

Outside of work (and firefighting), Don loves cycling. A few years ago, he travelled to France to tackle parts of the Tour de France course. These days its more about mountain biking and kayaking. Like many of his fellow Carbonites, Don also enjoys unwinding with a great red wine and good company.