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Finalists of 2022 Tax Adviser of the Year Awards revealed

The finalists for Australia’s 2022 Tax Adviser of the Year Awards have been named. Take a look at who has been shortlisted as the nation’s top tax advisers.

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Thirteen Australian tax professionals have been named as finalists in the 2022 Tax Adviser of the Year Awards.

The Tax Institute president Jerome Tse congratulated finalists, saying “We’re thrilled to take this chance to recognise some of the outstanding contributions made this year”.

For most categories, finalists must have more than 10 years’ experience, hold a leadership position, have made a positive contribution to the tax profession and exhibit exemplary ethics and professionalism.

The awards are judged by an independent expert panel that comprises leading members of the tax profession and set the benchmark in excellence for the tax profession in Australia.

Winners will be announced October 20.

Take a look at the finalists:

CHARTERED TAX ADVISER OF THE YEAR

This category recognises exceptional tax leaders who consistently demonstrate advanced technical expertise and leadership, as well as creative and innovative thinking.

Finalists must hold a CTA, have more than 15 years’ tax experiences, hold a senior leadership position, be a member of The Tax Institute and have made a significant contribution to the tax profession, and exhibit exemplary ethics and professionalism.

Anthony Mulveney, CTA – Partner, KPMG

Anthony Mulveney has been named a finalist in the Chartered Tax Adviser of the Year category. Picture: Supplied
Anthony Mulveney has been named a finalist in the Chartered Tax Adviser of the Year category. Picture: Supplied

Mr Mulveney, of NSW, has more than 30 years’ experience and an intimate knowledge of the taxation aspects of the real estate and funds management industry.

He advises on a wide-ranging number of issues affecting both domestic operations and international investments.

Kenneth Woo, CTA – Partner, PwC

Kenneth Woo has been named a finalist in the Chartered Tax Adviser of the Year category. Picture: Supplied
Kenneth Woo has been named a finalist in the Chartered Tax Adviser of the Year category. Picture: Supplied

Mr Woo, of Sydney, was admitted into partnership at PwC in 1999 and for more than 20 years has held subject matter and industry roles with the firm, and has been extensively involved in working groups, committees and private consultation with Government and industry bodies.

Chris Wookey, CTA – Specialist Tax Adviser, Chris Wookey CA

Chris Wookey has been named a finalist in the Chartered Tax Adviser of the Year category. Picture: Supplied
Chris Wookey has been named a finalist in the Chartered Tax Adviser of the Year category. Picture: Supplied

Mr Wookey, of Melbourne, operates his own specialist tax consulting practice after previously having been a principal in the tax consulting division of Deloitte Private in Melbourne.

A finalist in The Tax Institute’s Tax Adviser of the Year Awards for 2020, he has more than 30 years’ experience in the chartered accounting profession and is chair of The Tax Institute’s national SME Technical Committee and its representative on the ATO’s Private Groups Stewardship Group.

EMERGING TAX STAR OF THE YEAR

This category recognises emerging tax leaders with a commitment and passion for building a successful career in tax.

Finalists must have more than five years’ tax experience post graduation, be engaged with the tax community, demonstrate initiative and drive in developing their career and exhibit exemplary ethics and professionalism, as well as be a member of The Tax Institute.

Winners of this award will also receive the Gordon Cooper Scholarship, which allows registration to the full CTA program.

George Bishop – Associate, Allens

George Bishop has been named a finalist in the Emerging Star of the Year category. Picture: Supplied
George Bishop has been named a finalist in the Emerging Star of the Year category. Picture: Supplied

Mr Bishop, of Sydney, is an emerging talent within the Allens Tax team. As an Associate, he practices across direct and indirect taxes, international tax issues, and tax disputes.

He has notable experience in banking and structured finance arrangements, transfer pricing, thin capitalisation, withholding tax, corporate restructures and charity tax issues.

David Blight, ATI – Senior Associate, KwM

David Blight has been named a finalist in the Emerging Star of the Year category. Picture: Supplied
David Blight has been named a finalist in the Emerging Star of the Year category. Picture: Supplied

Mr Blight, of Sydney, is a senior associate in the tax and litigation teams at King & Wood Mallesons, with a focus on transfer pricing and Part IVA disputes, among others.

He previously worked at Ernst & Young, specialising in indirect tax with a focus on GST and stamp duty.

Emy Chee – Senior Accountant, HLB Mann Judd

Emy Chee has been named a finalist in the Emerging Star of the Year category. Picture: Supplied
Emy Chee has been named a finalist in the Emerging Star of the Year category. Picture: Supplied

Ms Chee, of Sydney, is a well-rounded tax accountant specialising in corporate taxation issues for foreign-owned companies and large businesses.

She began her career while working at a boutique accounting firm during university, which sparked an interest in the tax profession. Since starting her role at HLB, Ms Chee has worked closely with a range of businesses to deliver the best results for her clients.

Mark Peters, ATI – Solicitor, Herbert Smith Freehills

Mark Peters has been named a finalist in the Emerging Star of the Year category. Picture: Supplied
Mark Peters has been named a finalist in the Emerging Star of the Year category. Picture: Supplied

Mr Peters, of Sydney, advises on the stamp duty implications of a broad range of commercial transactions and provides specialist resettlement and trust law advice to trustees.

He also assists clients to implement transactions and attend to compliance with duty lodgement obligations.

INHOUSE TAX ADVISER OF THE YEAR

This category recognises highly competent tax leaders who consistently demonstrate strong technical expertise and leadership, as well as creative and innovative thinking.

Finalists must have more than 10 years’ experience, hold a leadership position, have made a positive contribution to the tax profession, exhibit exemplary ethics and professionalism, and be a member of The Tax Institute.

Chris Merjane, FTI – Senior Tax Counsel, ResMed

Mr Merjane, of ResMed Singapore, works as Senior Tax Counsel. He provides tax law advice regarding global audits, M&A and litigation. He previously worked at Gilbert + Tobin and PwC.

Rachit Dudhwala, FTI – Tax Manager, Transurban Group

Rachit Dudhwala has been named a finalist in the Inhouse Tax Adviser of the Year category. Picture: Supplied
Rachit Dudhwala has been named a finalist in the Inhouse Tax Adviser of the Year category. Picture: Supplied

Mr Dudhwala, of Melbourne, is responsible for formulating and delivering Transurban’s risk management and tax strategy of its international operations and domestic trusts. He specialises in devising commercial financing structures for large scale infrastructure projects and delivering practical solutions to complex tax matters.

“The tax profession is full of incredibly talented people and to be a part of this community is a wonderful thing. The Tax Adviser of the Year Award is bigger than any individual achievement as it illustrates the depth and capability of our profession; and so it is truly an honour to be recognised as a finalist for this award given the illustrious company with whom I share this privilege with,” he said.

TAX ADVISER OF THE YEAR — ACCOUNTANT

This category recognises highly competent tax leaders who consistently demonstrate strong technical expertise and leadership, as well as creative and innovative thinking and practice as an accountant.

Finalists must have more than 10 years’ experience, hold a leadership position, have made a positive contribution to the tax profession, exhibit exemplary ethics and professionalism, and be a member of The Tax Institute.

Stephen Holmes, CTA – Partner, WMS Chartered Accountants

Stephen Holmes has been named a finalist in the Tax Adviser of the Year Accountant category. Picture: Supplied
Stephen Holmes has been named a finalist in the Tax Adviser of the Year Accountant category. Picture: Supplied

Mr Holmes, of Brisbane, has been practising as an accountant since 1987 and has had a focus on tax since 1994. He specialises in all SME tax matters with a particular interest in the CGT small business concessions, tax effective restructures and Division 7A.

Shirley Lam – Director, KPMG

Shirley Lam has been named a finalist in the Tax Adviser of the Year Accountant category. Picture: Supplied
Shirley Lam has been named a finalist in the Tax Adviser of the Year Accountant category. Picture: Supplied

Ms Lam, of Sydney, specialises in infrastructure, energy and corporates, and has advised on some of Australia’s largest transactions and projects. She has a strong brand and reputation in this market as an advisor who builds trusted relationships and brings specialist expertise, leveraging deep thinking to deliver strategic and commercially focused tax advice.

TAX ADVISER OF THE YEAR — LAWYER

This category recognises highly competent tax leaders who consistently demonstrate strong technical expertise and leadership, as well as creative and innovative thinking and practice as a lawyer.

Finalists must have more than 10 years’ experience, hold a leadership position, have made a positive contribution to the tax profession, exhibit exemplary ethics and professionalism, and be a member of The Tax Institute.

Shaun Cartoon, FTI – Arnold Bloch Leibler

Shaun Cartoon has been named a finalist in the Tax Adviser of the Year Lawyer category. Picture: Supplied
Shaun Cartoon has been named a finalist in the Tax Adviser of the Year Lawyer category. Picture: Supplied

Mr Cartoon is a creative and commercially focused tax lawyer. Based in Melbourne, he is a partner of Arnold Bloch Leibler’s tax practice. Mr Cartoon advises a range of clients, including ASX listed companies, high-net-worth individuals and large private groups.

He practices in corporate, international and employment taxes, with particular expertise in mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructures and employee share schemes.

Mr Cartoon also assists clients to navigate complex tax disputes with the Australian Taxation Office and has litigated significant cases through the Australian courts.

“Working in the tax profession provides many outstanding opportunities. I’m delighted to be nominated as a finalist in The Tax Adviser of the Year Awards alongside the other finalists who are making a valuable contribution to our tax community,” he said.

David Earl, FTI – Partner, PwC

David Earl has been named a finalist in the Tax Adviser of the Year Lawyer category. Picture: Supplied
David Earl has been named a finalist in the Tax Adviser of the Year Lawyer category. Picture: Supplied

Mr Earl is a partner in the Corporate Tax group of PwC Melbourne and is a member of The Tax Institute’s National Council and Victorian State Council. His focus is on M&A and international tax, and he has 20 years experience servicing both inbound and outbound multinational groups across a broad range of industry sectors.

Mr Earl was previously also seconded to the International Tax Services group of PwC Netherlands where he provided a mix of Dutch, Australian and European tax advice to a broad range of international clients.

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/business/companies/finalists-of-2022-tax-adviser-of-the-year-awards-revealed/news-story/dc726e47a57599be400ec17f0478ef12