It’s the end of an era for Murphy Accountants, founded by James Murphy and continued by his sons, Jim and Peter until handing it over.

Peter Oberg was the sole owner of the Auburn/Clifford St practice when he tragically drowned in a fishing accident at Seal Rocks last May.

His widow, Anne Oberg, told the Post she had no choice but to close the business.

Two separate local parties had been interested in buying the business but the deals fell through.

“It’s too financially draining to continue because there was nobody to do the work and there were two ladies employed there as secretaries,” she said.

Mr Oberg was the only accountant at the practice when he passed away.

Mrs Oberg is also still paying rent on the space, which she said was another drain. The Murphys sold the building several years ago.

The closure comes with mixed feelings.

“I had to put on a thick skin, take one day at a time and do what needed to be done,” Mrs Oberg said.

A clearing sale will be held onsite at 9am Saturday. It will include desks, filing cabinets, photocopiers, tables, chairs, bookcases and other equipment.

Mrs Oberg said she had spent a great deal of time tidying up inside.

The aftermath of her husband’s passing had been difficult. The coroner has not finalised investigations and a death certificate has not been issued.

“I’m just plodding along. I can’t do much more than I am,” Mrs Oberg said.

“I’m a bit numb and on autopilot and I can’t look much further than today. There is no closure.”

Local accountancy firm RSM Bird Cameron has taken on the bulk of the practice’s clients under a financial arrangement.

Principal Thomas Skeffington said it would be a seamless transfer and the firm had already seen many of the clients.

“It’s very sad to see a part of history disappear but we need to look forward to the future,” he said.

“Peter (Oberg) was a personal friend of mine and Anne’s daughter Kia (Weekes) has been working here for the past eight years so there’s a real connection. We want to be fair and just.”