When it comes to local success stories, they don’t get much better than that of friends Bruce Lundstrom and Tim Dickson.

Their practice, LDB in Blackburn, has grown from a two-man accounting business to a thriving financial services and advisory firm, and this month they celebrate 30 years in the game.

“I think it’s a real achievement, to think of what we started off with 30 years ago to what the firm is today,” Mr Lundstrom, of Burwood East, said.

“We have a firm we can be proud of.”

Wind back the clock just over three decades and the two men were working at Ernst and Whinney, now EY.

They decided to take the plunge and start something of their own, so they rented an office in Box Hill, employed some secretaries, and opened for business.

“Ironically, our first phone call at the new office was from my wife ringing to tell me she was pregnant with our first baby,” Mr Lundstrom said, with a laugh.

Luckily, several clients followed them to LDB, and slowly the firm started to grow.

“Our turnover wasn’t huge in the first year and it was mainly tax and accounting work,” Mr Lundstrom said.

As the firm expanded to include auditing and financial planning services, so too did their clientele, and eventually they had to move to bigger offices in Box Hill, then Blackburn.

Nowadays, LDB has seven partners and employs more than 60 staff, some of whom have remained loyal to the firm for 20-plus years.

They provide a range of services for small and medium-sized businesses, new businesses, not-for-profits, public companies, incorporated bodies, individuals and families.

And through all the trials and tribulations, Mr Lundstrom and Mr Dickson have remained good friends.

“Some might say going into partnership in business is a bit like a marriage,” Mr Lundstrom said.

“It’s been a good relationship over the journey.”

The gentlemen are now aged in their early 60s, but have no plans to slow down.

Mr Lundstrom and Mr Dickson celebrated the 30-year milestone at the Box Hill Golf Club on Thursday, June 16.