Experience

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  Cooper Partners

  • Perth, Australia

  • SMSF Manager

    • Jul 2019 - Present
    • Perth, Australia

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  Sondergaard Accountants

  • Perth, Australia

  • SMSF Specialist

    • Jul 2011 - Jul 2019
    • Perth, Australia

    Notable Achievements:Growing the SMSF client base from 20 SMSF to 120 SMSF clients, with annual fees of approximately $700,000.In recognition of my local and national work as an SMSF Specialist, I was nominated for and was a finalist in the coveted “Accountants Daily Accounting Awards 2018” in the category of “Superannuation Specialist Accountant of The Year”.Respected by industry peers as SMSF Thought Leader and Public SpeakerPosition Profile:I was hired to set-up and head-up the SMSF Department. My department manages the annual administration, accounting and tax compliance of self-managed super funds. I also provide strategic advice to clients on a variety of subjects, including:The advantages and disadvantages of setting up an SMSF, Property investing with gearing in SMSFs, Property development with interposed unit trust structure, Transfer of commercial property into an SMSF, Obtaining ATO Private Ruling on re-classification of residential property as business real property,Contribution splitting and other contribution strategies, Setting up the transition to retirement income streams, Setting up account-based pensions, Advising on estate planning and SMSF Wills, Reviewing compliance with and updating the SMSF trust deed

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  H&R Block Australia

  • Perth, Australia

  • Tax Consultant

    • Jul 2009 - Jul 2011
    • Perth, Australia

    Company Portfolio:H&R Block, Inc., or H&R Block, is an American tax preparation company operating in North America, Australia, and India. The company was founded in 1955 by brothers Henry W. Bloch and Richard Bloch. As of 2018, H&R Block operates approximately 12,000 retail tax offices staffed by tax professionals worldwide.Key responsibilities:Assistant manager of the department, regularly acting as the manager Tax return preparationApplication to the ATO for private rulings Development of the weekly reports for the district managerSupervision of four staff members

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  Citizens Advice Bureau

  • Reading, United Kingdom

  • Advisor

    • Jan 2000 - May 2007
    • Reading, United Kingdom

    Company Profile:Citizens Advice is a network of 316 independent charities throughout the United Kingdom that give free, confidential information and advice to assist people with money, legal, consumer and other problems.Key Responsibilities: Providing advice to people who were in financial difficultiesLiaison with 3rd parties who were pursuing my clients for unpaid debts, e.g. local councils for council tax, electricity company, water company, mail order catalogue companies and mobile/landline phone companies Preparation of debt repayment plans and agreements with creditorsWritten responses to government, e.g. about shoddy practices of individual companies in connection with refusals to cancel services and rack up charges

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  PricewaterhouseCoopers - Service Delivery Center (PwC SDC)

  • Reading, United Kingdom

  • Senior Manager

    • Oct 1989 - Dec 1999
    • Reading, United Kingdom

    Company Overview:PwC provides industry-focused services for public and private clients.Role Overview:I was hired to create a new department specialising in the audits of corporate superannuation funds. Over time, I built a team of 14 people with over 200 superfund audit clients with assets worth between £500 million and £15 billion. Five years after joining, I was also appointed as the national technical director providing advice on superannuation to all offices across the UK and representing the firm to external stakeholders.Key Responsibilities:Creating the marketing plans for my local department, and ensuring its growthDeveloping auditing standards and policies used across the national firm, including risk assessment and control frameworksWriting the formal responses to government legislation and proposalsProviding technical audit advice nationally to the partners and staffMember of the Pensions Research Accountants Group (UK) responding to the relevant Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) revisions Member and relief chair of the ICAEW Pensions Sub-Committee (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales)Developing the pensions audit model which was then implemented in the principal offices across the UK.Speaking on behalf of the ICAEW at conferencesWriting the course material and running training courses for clients, partners and managers at annual conferences

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  KPMG UK

  • Reading, United Kingdom

  • Audit senior

    • Sep 1986 - Sep 1989
    • Reading, United Kingdom

    Company Profile:KPMG in the UK is a leading provider of professional services, including audit, tax and advisory specialisms - delivering integrated solutions to our clients’ issues. The Role:As Audit Senior I reported to managers and partnersKey Responsibilities:In-charge of auditing mainly manufacturing companies with turnovers ranging from £3 million to £14 million Preparation of statutory accounts including group consolidations Preparation of corporate taxation computations; quarterly management accounts; VAT returns for companies operating internationallySpecial assignments, e.g. "value for money" audit for the West Berkshire Health Authority Day-to-day responsibility for client contact, correspondence including engagement letters, management letters, fee notes Liaison with Inland Revenue and the Registrar of Companies