Divisional Advisory Committee
If you would like to submit a question/query for the Divisional Advisory Committee to consider at their next meeting, or would like to find out more on how you can get involved, please email [email protected].
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David Giacobbe David has been working in accounting and taxation for over a decade during which he has expanded his family based firm F.G. Fintax Pty Ltd. David was promoted to Principal of the firm in 2019 which has now grown to 8 employees. During this time, he has specialised in providing clients with a high quality of individualised service. His area of expertise is identifying opportunities for his clients to facilitate simple and effective solutions in running their businesses and structuring their taxation affairs. David’s hands-on approach with his clients allows him to be proactive with their business and individual taxation affairs. In 2017 David was awarded the IPA NSW Member of the Year award. |
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Harry Hoang Harry came to Australia in 2005 to experience one of the best education systems in the world and subsequently fell in love with the country. After completing his education at the Australian National University, Harry identified a key gap in the industry and decided to create a business of his own. Today, Tailored Accounts is an award-winning company with 100% client satisfaction. If Harry were to sum up his business approach in a single phrase, it would be – “If you want to do something, make sure you are good at what you are doing.” Harry would love to connect with anyone who shares the same belief. |
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Abinash Dhungel Abinash is a public accountant with more than 20 years of experience. He completed the IPA’s Qualifying Professional Program and a Master of Commerce in Accounting through the University of New England. Abinash holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a specialisation in Financial Management, a Graduate Diploma of Applied Taxation Law and is also a certified financial planner. |
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Aleksandra Serafimovska With more than 27 years of accounting experience, Aleksandra brings her knowledge and enthusiasm to the DAC for the sixth year running. Aleksandra is especially passionate about a collaborative, evidence-based approach to supporting all members and initiatives that prioritise the interests of small business. As a community member, Aleksandra is passionate about supporting young people, particularly in navigating commerce as an industry. She has mentored IPA students in accounting, and strongly supports Father Chris Riley’s Youth Off The Streets Program. |
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Angela Tan-Kantor Dr Angela Tan-Kantor is an Assistant Professor in Financial Accounting at the University of Canberra (UC). She is a qualified accountant and a fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia. Dr Tan-Kantor specialises in teaching Introductory and Financial Accounting at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Before UC, she held an academic position and completed a PhD at Swinburne University of Technology. Dr Tan-Kantor’s main research interests are in the area of asset measurement/valuation (including fair value) in the water and utility sectors, accounting for zoo animals and the teaching and learning of accounting. |
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Leanne Hume Leanne has worked in the public practice, accounting and tax space for over 18 years. She opened her practice Simply Numbers in 2021. Leanne has a Master of Commerce in Professional Accounting, a Diploma of Financial Planning and is committed to life-long learning. She is currently studying her Masters of Taxation at UNSW. A registered tax agent, Leanne volunteers her services to the Tax Institute's Women in Tax Committee. Leanne also sits on the Tax Institute's National Tax Committee - Individual. |
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Jacqui Winters Jacqui has worked as a Financial Controller and shareholder at Phoenix Transport Group since 2001. She is passionate about business and the people that make them, and grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the DAC as she has watched the IPA develop and grow over her 25 years of membership. Jacqui is interested in all things blockchain, fintech, digitalisation, Web 3 and how they will challenge us as we move further into the future. She is also a member of Blockchain Australia. |
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Lionel Rodrigues Lionel has been a proud member of IPA since 1994. Working as principal of his own AFSL, Lionel specialises in financial planning. Lionel has formal tertiary qualifications in accounting, financial planning and law. He is committed to using his experience, knowledge and skills to assist the IPA for the benefit of all members. |
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Tony Alizzi Tony is an experienced senior executive having spent more than 25 years with Hewlett Packard Enterprise in regional CFO and operational roles. He holds an accounting degree from Swinburne University, a Graduate Diploma of Management from Macquarie Graduate School of Management, and Master of Business Administration from Deakin University and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Tony has set up internationally based mentoring programs for finance people across Asia, UK, and USA, and is a sought-after mentor. He is keenly interested in the impact of emerging technologies on the accounting profession. |
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Samantha Betts Samantha has been practicing accounting since 1999 and became a Registered Tax Agent in 2007. She set up a sole practitioner company in 2014 with an office located in Sussex Inlet NSW. She has been a member of the IPA for twelve years. Samantha’s experience with a range of clients has given her a broad range of knowledge and expertise. The practice is a proud employer of an all-female staff who are local to the area. Samantha and her husband enjoy relaxing on their boat, stand up paddle boarding, running, recreational flying and yoga. Whilst on holidays they enjoy walking, discovering history and nature. |
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Matt Attia Matt is a dedicated professional with a proven track record of success in accounting and financial consulting. Since 2004, he's been passionately helping individuals and businesses navigate tax obligations and major life transitions. Known for his expertise in optimising accounting processes and systems, he specialises in driving business improvements and ensuring efficiency and accuracy. His commitment extends to assisting families in managing their wealth to create enduring legacies. Outside of work, he enjoys volunteering in the community and embarking on outdoor adventures. |
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Jane Purnell Jane is the Managing Partner at Holzworth Partners. She has worked within the accounting and financial services sector for over 20 years, operating both within Australia and the USA. Jane holds a Master of Business Administration, a Bachelor of Psychology in Business, a Diploma of Financial Planning, a Graduate Certificate of Financial Planning and a Certificate IV in Finance and Mortgage Broking. Jane is a member of the Finance Brokers Association of Australia as well as an affiliate member of the Institute of Managers and Leaders. |
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Sandeep Singh Sandeep is the Director of AstuteMed, a boutique accounting firm which provides advisory and compliance services to medical specialists, GPs, dental practices and allied health professionals. He has been working in public practice accounting for 12 years. Using his expertise in change management, technology, and best practice processes, he would like to utilise his position within the DAC to enable IPA members to run efficient and benchmark accounting practices. |
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Matthew Connor Matt has been a tax agent and business advisor for almost 20 years, providing advice and tax compliance services to small to medium enterprise and private clients. His view is that advisors should provide clients with information and reporting specifically relevant to their circumstances, so they can help develop strategy and make decisions that will provide not only immediate gains but also long-term benefits. |
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Adam Thorpe Adam is an insolvency practitioner who has been in practice since 2006. His role consists of active involvement in a significant array of voluntary administrations, liquidations, turn-around arrangements, bankruptcies, and informal arrangements. Within the realms of the informal appointments, he also provides board advisory and CFO services. He has a wealth of experience and a proactive approach spanning over a decade to effectively manage risk and deliver quality results in an efficient, cost-effective manner. |
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James Flaherty James is a business consultant and accountant. He founded the Insolve Panel to bring together independent liquidators and bankruptcy trustees from different firms, and is also a Director of Thesolvers.com.au, a bench of independent experts who cater to a wide range of business challenges. James describes his network as the ‘go-to’ for business owners and their advisors to get impartial and cost-effective advice for problems such as proof of debt claims, cash flow, insolvency, small business reconstruction and safe harbour. James has held leadership roles in sales and operations in and around professional services, technology, and human resources for over 30 years. |
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Ramanathan Karuppiah Ram has worked as a public accountant for 15 years and is a pioneer in financial crime professional investigation in Australia. He is a fellow of both the Institute of Financial Accountants and the International Compliance Association. He is a certified financial crime auditor. He is now the CEO of Fly Wallet Pty Ltd, a fintech start-up in Queensland. |
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Belinda Raso From starting a small bookkeeping and business advisory business in 2003, Belinda has continued to pursue excellence, branching out into accounting and taxation in 2008. She founded Tax Invest Accounting as Director in 2015, a boutique accounting firm on the Gold Coast servicing clients Australia-wide. The practice utilises social media extensively to educate followers on all matters taxation and small business, reflective of their strong focus on mentoring start-ups, entrepreneurs, and small business owners. |
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Julie Foster Julie is an Accountant and Registered Tax Agent and has been an IPA member for over 10 years. She is the founder of JSM Accounting Group, a small boutique accounting firm in Ipswich which believes in supporting the local community, both on a client level and through employment. Julie enjoys working closely with small businesses and individuals to create tailored strategic plans whilst helping clients maintain work life balance through the leveraging of technology. She believes in educating her clients, so they have the knowledge and skills to make informed business decisions with training and advisory being a core focus. |
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Judy White Judy is an Executive Director with BDO in Brisbane in the Tax Division where she has worked for over 25 years. She has an employment taxes speciality and adopts a relationship-driven approach to her work. Judy also has a long association with the IPA delivering presentations and training on tax topics across Queensland and Australia, getting to know many of the IPA members. Judy has a Bachelor of Business (Accountancy) and is a Fellow Chartered Accountant and a Chartered Tax Adviser and a Fellow of the IPA. |
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Clint Hayward Clint has over 20 years of experience in the accounting industry, running his own flourishing practice in NSW before his current role as Partner at Vita Gustafson & Associates in NT. Clint is passionate about mental health and raising awareness amongst his peers about the role of accountants in our clients and colleagues’ mental health and wellbeing. Clint is active amongst the community with multiple voluntary roles in several organisations. |
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Nathan Schwarz Nathan is the Adelaide Lead in Turnaround & Restructuring at Deloitte. He has extensive experience advising underperforming and distressed businesses in turnaround, restructuring and insolvency matters, and regularly undertakes formal restructuring and insolvency appointments. Nathan previously worked as a solicitor, gaining experience in capital raising, ASX compliance, project finance and M & A, and is an internationally accredited forensic accountant. He is regularly engaged on matters involving companies, trusts, individuals and other entities of all sizes and across all industries. |
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Michael Booth Michael has over 50 years business and accounting experience in the retail, manufacturing, hospitality and childcare sectors. For the last 25 years, Michael has run a small practice assisting many SME businesses computerise & manage their financial records. |
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Wendy Macdonald Wendy has been part of the IPA for 38 years and has also operated her own practice predominantly in the tax area for that time. Wendy has also worked on ATO committees for 20 years in various areas including lodgement. She held a 3-year tenure with the ATPF. |
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Sam Sellahewa Sam is a registered liquidator and specialist in business restructuring and insolvency. He has over 17 years of industry experience assisting clients in financial distress across a range of business sectors and backgrounds. Sam is a Founding Director of the international insolvency and restructuring firm Rodgers Reidy’s Northern Territory office. Sam currently serves as a member of the Institute of Public Accounts SA/ NT Divisional Advisory Committee. Sam is also actively involved in volunteer roles in multiple community organisations. |
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Dhaval Khamar Dhaval Khamar has over 15 years of experience in general practice accounting and taxation services. He is the owner of DPK & Associates Business Advisers based in Adelaide. Dhaval provides services related to Business and Strategic Planning, Taxation, SMSFs, Profit Improvement and processes related to bookkeeping. Dhaval is a father of two and loves spending time with his family. He has a very strong interest in Cricket, and playing tennis. |
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Albert Hou Albert has broad people and business skills, having run an accounting firm for twelve years. He understands all industries, investment types, and what drives a successful business in Australia. |
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Andrew Colrain Andrew started working for the ATO in the tax technical area in 1983, teaching tax law to internal staff and co-ordinating various staff development programs. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting. In 2000 Andrew began teaching tax law in the Accounting Program at TasTAFE. He has been actively involved in the IPA and has MC’d many State and National Congresses across Australia. Andrew was named the IPA Tasmanian Member of the Year and nominated for the Tasmanian Teacher of the Year. |
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Declan Sheehan Declan holds a Bachelor of Business and Finance and began his career in local accountancy firms in Tipperary. His journey led him to Australia in 2000, where he held various roles before becoming a full-time teacher at TAFE Digital in Strathfield NSW. He taught Business and Finance while managing a traffic control business in Sydney during this time. Relocating to Hobart in 2016, Declan joined TasTAFE where he teaches Leadership, Accounting, and Project Management. |
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Scott (Robert) Cure Robert began his career with METCO Oil where he managed the southern service stations. Of particular interest to Robert was training staff. He changed his career and retrained, teaching the Certificate IV in Small Business Management for TAFE Tasmania for twenty years. Robert also became involved in the accounting program, training students in trial balance, preparation of financial reports and MYOB. |
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Candice (Qing) Wang Candice (Qing) holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Professional Accounting and a Master of International Business. As a young accountant with four years of experience in public practice, Candice has recognised the importance of staying informed about the latest tax regulations, accounting developments and technology advancements. Her passion for accounting drives her to continually seek knowledge, enhance skills and progress in her career. |
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Craig Rosenberg Craig is a Director in Deloitte Tasmania’s turnaround and restructuring team and has over 30 years’ experience in managing financially distressed businesses and individuals in corporate and personal insolvency. Craig particularly enjoys working with accountants, lawyers, and their clients to help them understand formal insolvency options and the processes. He also presents in-house training to fellow professionals to raise awareness across a broad range of insolvency topics. |
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Donna Shaw Donna is an ex-Financial Analyst for 20th Century Fox TV Production and Accountant for Skywalker Sound, a division of Lucas Films. Donna runs her own practice specialising is US taxation and has partnered with an Australian tax agent preparing Australian returns. She is passionate about work life balance and feels this is critical for accountants as we often forget to take care of ourselves. |
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Linda Brander With more than 20 years’ experience in corporate SME and NFP, Linda is a change advocate while being a dynamic and passionate accountant who enjoys the challenge of making businesses better. With both a Deakin MBA and a background in technology, professional services, energy & mining, Linda is a firm believer that technology, innovation, and sound processes all help make a better business landscape. |
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Anthony Tripolino Anthony is an accountant and financial planner with over 12 years of experience. He is passionate about SMEs with a focus on property investing. His working career includes owning and operating one of Victoria’s most successful bingo centres for 20 years and running a short-term accommodation business. Anthony and his family are also passionate about the arts and have recently restored The Palais in Geelong for the purpose of running live theatre and events. |
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Sudarshan Gupta Shan has been a qualified accountant since 1976. He is also a financial planner, mortgage broker and an SMSF auditor. He is in public practice and has the rare distinction of practicing accountancy in three continents: Asia, Africa and Australia. Shan is the author of two books published in 1995 and 1998, and several articles on GST law. He has also represented the IPA to the ATO for several years in their working groups. Currently he is a conveyor of the IPA’s Waverley Discussion Group. |
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Adrian Hunter Adrian is a Partner in Brooke Bird, a boutique turnaround and insolvency advisory firm in Camberwell, following a 20-year career with Deloitte, PBB Advisory and Ferrier Hodgson. Adrian specialises in the areas of corporate reorganisation and insolvency advice, with expertise in managing businesses in formal insolvency, working capital and cash flow management and restructuring businesses. |
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Martin Bailey Martin has been an IPA member for 29 years and the IPA CBD Accounting Discussion Group Convenor during that time. This discussion group continues to grow and thrive, and Martin continues to source and organise speakers and topics that assist attendees of these groups to stay up to date in day-to-day accounting matters. Martin has experience in a variety of accounting roles in industry, including the transport, freight, telecommunication and construction sectors over many years. He enjoys the variety encountered in those sectors and has assisted both small and large businesses to manage their financial affairs and customers. |
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Tony Rabah Tony Rabah is the Principal of TNR Consulting, a business advisor and registered tax agent with over 20 years of industry experience. Tony is also the CEO and founder of The Male Hug, an initiative that facilitates open communication about mental health challenges faced by male professionals. Raising awareness and providing support is pivotal, and his boardroom is always a safe and friendly environment for a chat, free of any judgement. |
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Dale Feim Dale is the Founder and Director of Dalcorp Accounting Services, a progressing accounting firm recognised for its modern cloud accounting approach. Since establishing his practice, Dale quickly became recognised for his expertise and core specialisation in the tourism & agribusiness sectors. As a Yarra Valley resident of more than 40 years, Dale has a genuine passion for promoting our region and providing support to the many small businesses operating within it. Dale and his team were honoured to receive the IPA National Practice of the Year award for 2021. |
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Adrian Zuccarelli Adrian is an experienced accountant with over 13 years in the industry, specialising in providing strategic financial support to SMEs. Recently, Adrian became a junior partner of his firm, where he continues to help clients navigate complex financial challenges and develop growth strategies. Passionate about making a positive impact, Adrian is committed to delivering exceptional service to clients, ensuring their financial success with a focus in the hospitality industry. Outside of work, Adrian is an avid sports enthusiast. Football is his favourite sport, and he is a proud supporter of Collingwood. He also enjoys contributing to his local community by assisting with his son's basketball team. |
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Ian Casey Ian worked in public practice for 11 years, specialising in SMSF. Since making the move to the public sector in 2020, he now prepares complex state tax assessments and provides analysis, advice and training on complex tax law matters within the Department of Finance. Ian believes in strengthening the accounting profession through embracing diversity and inclusion. In his free time, he is a supporter of the arts, having been an organiser of the annual Perth Poetry Festival since 2016. |
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Vince Femia Vince has 33 years of work experience in the accounting field in various industries and sectors. Whilst currently in public practice, Vince has previously worked with various manufacturing companies over 18 years. He has spent time in insurance, facilities management, sales and finance sectors. |
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Anne Fairbanks Anne has held various finance and accounting roles across a broad range of industries, from multi-national corporations to SMEs. More recently she has worked in the not-for-profit sector as well as holding volunteer board roles. NFPs play a vital role in our communities, and Anne is passionate about supporting good financial and governance practices to build sustainable organisations for the benefit of current and future generations. |
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Malav Oza Malav is an experienced accountant with over 23 years of experience. He provides business strategy advice to clients, providing a valuable perspective on assessment of business performance and profit improvement. Malav also provides innovation services. Malav’s expertise in valuation services and litigation support services in family court matters have resulted in earlier settlement of family law cases with technically superior and fairer outcomes. |
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Joel Schreiber Joel has worked as an Advanced Skill Lecturer of Management, Accounting and Training at North Regional TAFE since 1997. He is also a partner for AISD Accounting Services Ltd. Joel is passionate about sharing and networking with IPA members to expand services to the community (including non-profits and Aboriginal organisations). He currently serves on several non-profit boards and is a community representative in several Pilbara Industries Groups (BHP, Pilbara Ports Authority, Port Hedland Industries Council, and the Chamber of Commerce). |
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Garth Lovelace Garth has over three decades of expertise in delivering financial guidance, with a career spanning back to 1987. He has successfully founded and secured his own license under the esteemed SFR Advisory Group, specialising in a diverse range of financial services. While family office and home office services typically cater to ultra-high net worth individuals, Garth is dedicated to democratising access to comprehensive advice. He is passionate about making these invaluable services more accessible, especially for SMEs. |
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Andrew Erkins Andrew has founded several businesses in the tech space over the last twenty years, most recently the award-winning bookkeeping firm Digit. With a background in IT, Andrew is passionate about the role accountants, bookkeepers, and small business advisors have in helping businesses navigate a digital future. Within Digit he advises on digital transformation projects, explores and connects apps, and solves financial dataflow challenges centred around Xero. Andrew has a special interest in businesses building back into communities, which has led him to provide workshops to support small businesses in regional and remote WA, as well as guiding Digit to join the B-Corp movement towards sustainable business. |
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Zoe Kosky Zoe, BAS Agent and Principal at Yoswan Enterprises, brings over 20 years of experience in Finance and Administration. With a strong background in Information Systems, Zoe excels in creating efficient and reliable administration systems, training accounting staff, and ensuring compliance for a diverse range of small to medium businesses and not-for-profit entities. Zoe has also developed a reputation as the go-to expert for cleanup and disaster recovery, adept at unravelling and rebuilding accounting systems when significant data issues arise. |