I am a Principal at DMAW Lawyers in the Business Transactions and Advice team. I am a taxation and superannuation specialist. I work primarily with accountants, financial planners, business owners and high net wealth individuals on business transactions, wealth generation strategies and tax disputes.
What does the Tax Adviser of the Year Awards mean to you, and more broadly, to the tax profession?
Recognition for hard work, high energy and a passion for tax.
What are 5 main tips/tricks that you used for preparing your application?
- no waffle
- peer review
- attached letter from boss to The Tax Institute
- attached examples of work and business development initiatives
- attached feedback from The Tax Institute presentations.
What was it like to be named a finalists/winner in your category?
Very proud. I tried to hide it in the lead up (as a finalist) and on the night (as a winner) but I was absolutely stoked. It was an amazing night/moment. It will be hard to beat.
What are 4 main reasons for applying for the Tax Awards?
- need to be in it to win it
- nothing to lose
- no time wastage because the application can form the basis of other applications or your CV
- brings you out of your comfort zone.
What do you believe put your application above the others?
Peer review. That process removed all traces of emotion from my application. I was told the Judges were serious people who would be looking for objective content, nothing else.
How has applying for the Tax Awards benefitted you?
For me it equated to maybe 10 years of business development in one hit. I have met some great people and had lots of laughs. The whole process was perfect and the benefits have not stopped. Without question it is the best thing I have done in my professional career.
What do you like to do when you’re not knee-deep in tax?
Spend time with my wife and daughter. Build things in the shed. I recently installed a cricket bowling machine with full netting. It's good fun.
