The Smart Tax Handbook Editorial Team – Tax Experts at Your Fingertips!

John Kelly (Editor-in-Chief, Smart Tax Handbook)
Partner – PKF
Bachelor of Business, Chartered Accountant, Juris Doctor, admitted as an Australian Lawyer

John Kelly is a Partner in the Tax Consulting Group of PKF’s Melbourne office.

John specialises in corporate taxation. He has been advising and assisting businesses ranging in size and complexity from large global corporations to smaller closely-held enterprises since the early 1990s.

John is a Chartered Accountant, a Fellow of the Taxation Institute of Australia and a Registered Tax Agent. He holds a Bachelor of Business from Curtin University of Technology and a Juris Doctor from the University of Queensland.

John has been admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria and is qualified as a Legal Practitioner in Australia. John’s expertise as a taxation and business adviser is highly regarded by clients and peers alike. His ability to interpret and apply complex tax laws in a practical manner taking into account the commercial imperatives is widely respected. John’s strong technical and professional skills are supported by his roles with the Big 4 accounting firms and large global and national corporations.

John has been actively involved in the ongoing tax reform process and the development of the tax law. He has participated at many meetings and discussions with industry bodies and senior officials from the Australian Taxation Office and Treasury. John has published a number of articles and is a regular presenter at seminars and conferences.

John Afford
Partner – PKF
Bachelor of Science (Geophysics), Chartered Accountant

John has over 25 years’ consulting experience. He currently consults in respect of customs duty, GST, land tax, payroll tax and stamp duty.

Prior to commencing in the profession, John was advising taxpayers on indirect taxes whilst working as an investigation officer with the Australian Taxation Office. John is particularly interested in resolving disputes with the revenue collectors and in developing strategies for businesses to better manage their indirect tax obligations so as to achieve maximum profitability.

Sharon Burke
Partner – PKF
Bachelor of Commerce, Chartered Accountant

Sharon has over 20 years’ experience in the accounting profession and joined PKF in 1998. Sharon was previously based in Launceston with PriceWaterhouseCoopers. She specialises in providing taxation and accounting advice to small to medium sized enterprises.

Sharon is a specialist in GST, FBT and salary packaging. She is also one of the national presenters for the Institute of Chartered Accountants for public practice and business, covering topics of GST updates, GST and property, business structuring, small business CGT concessions, FBT updates and salary packaging.

James Carson
Partner & Financial Adviser – Charlton Financial
Masters in Financial Planning

James Carson is the founding partner of independent financial advisory firm, Charlton Financial. Charlton provides advice & services across a broad range of areas to a vast array of clients throughout Australia and overseas. Whilst the firm caters for all clients, James has a particular interest in complex retirement, estate & taxation planning and Self-Managed Superannuation Funds.

James also consults to legal, accounting and other financial advisory firms. He is frequently used by the media for his expert opinions and is a regular presenter at industry forms and conferences.

James is a specialist member of the Self-Managed Superannuation Fund Professionals Association of Australia.

Kaajri Corera
Assistant Manager – PKF
Bachelor of Commerce (Commercial Law), Masters of Applied Commerce (Accounting), Associate of the Taxation Institute of Australia, Certified Workplace Trainer & Assessor

Kaajri has experience in tax compliance and advisory services, including preparation and review of income tax returns, tax consolidation, transfer pricing and providing tax advice on complex issues.

In addition to her corporate tax experience, Kaajri is experienced in expatriate taxation. She has previously worked in Industrial Relations and WorkCover consulting. Kaajri is currently completing a Juris Doctor at RMIT.

Rachel Craze
Manager – Family Advisory Group, Mutual Trust Pty Ltd
Chartered Accountant

Rachel Craze is a Manager in Family Office, Mutual Trust Pty Ltd. Rachel is a Chartered Accountant with 8 years’ experience in public practice. She worked at KPMG in their Middle Market Advisory division before joining Mutual Trust.

She has substantial experience in providing tax and accounting advice to family and privately owned businesses and high net worth family groups in a range of areas including group structures, liquidations, succession planning and tax effect accounting.

Mark Eyles
Partner – PKF
Bachelor of Business (Accounting)

Mark has been providing compliance services and advice to businesses since 1992. Mark specialises in providing accounting and advisory services to small and medium enterprises and high net worth individuals. Mark provides advice around business performance, business structures, asset protection, strategies for growth, tax planning and financial management.

Mark also heads up PKF Financial Services in Victoria providing wealth creation advice, superannuation and retirement planning strategies and investment advice. Mark specialises in Self-Managed Superannuation Funds and regularly presents on this topic at seminars.

Dario Gamba
Partner & Tax Consultant – DFK Lonsdale
Bachelor of Commerce, Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning, Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia

Dario is an experienced taxation, business and family advisor working with privately owned businesses and high net worth individuals to implement strategies to minimise tax, improve business performance and increase family wealth through practical, relevant and innovative means that clients would not otherwise employ.

Dario has been active in numerous committee roles including sitting on the National Board of DFK Australia and the international committee of DFK International.

Jeff Graham
Director – Business Services, Mutual Trust Pty Ltd
Chartered Accountant

Jeff is a chartered accountant with over 40 years’ professional experience in business advising, taxation, superannuation and audit. He works mainly with owner operated businesses and high net worth family groups.

Elisha Herbert
Senior Consultant – PKF
Bachelor of Business (Accounting), Chartered Accountant

Elisha has experience in tax compliance and advisory services, including preparation and review of income tax returns and providing tax advice on complex GST and capital gains tax issues. She also deals with the Australian Taxation Office on a regular basis in relation to various client matters.

Elisha is known for her attention to detail. Her dedication to her work ensures that results are produced in a timely manner and clients constantly receive quality service.

David Jin
Tax Adviser – DFK Lonsdale
Bachelor of Arts & Commerce

David is a highly energetic, client-focused accountant with a commitment to excellence and to providing solutions that add value to client’s businesses. David joined DFK Lonsdale in 2008 and is on his way to completing his Institute of Chartered Accountants accreditation.

Nisha Khehra
Consultant – PKF
Bachelor of Commerce, Masters of Applied Commerce (Accounting)

Nisha has experience in employment and expatriate taxation, including the preparation of income tax returns and providing advice on complex expatriate tax matters.

Nisha joined PKF in June 2010, and previously practiced at Ernst & Young in India.

Kumar Krishnasamy
Partner – PKF
Bachelor of Science (Geophysics), Affiliate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia

Kumar leads the International Employment Taxation team, providing specialist expatriate and employment taxes advice and services.

Kumar has led expatriate tax engagements for global corporations involving hundreds of expatriates spread over dozens of countries, as well as assisting smaller clients with their first expatriates, helping them get it right from the start.

Kumar is a member of the Australian British Chamber of Commerce, the German-Australian Chamber of Industry and Commerce, and contributes to international human resources forums.

Nicole Mackie
Supervisor – Family Office, Mutual Trust Pty Ltd
Bachelor of Commerce, Graduate Diploma of Chartered Accounting, Chartered Accountant

Nicole is a Chartered Accountant with over 7 years’ experience in taxation and accounting for high net worth individuals and large family groups.

Paul Marini
Partner – Bentleys Melbourne
Bachelor of Business (Accounting), Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Australia and Fellow of the Taxation Institute of Australia

Paul is an experienced taxation advisor with a focus on high level returns and advice for domestic and international clients. He also has significant experience with issues such as business restructuring, thin capitalisation, debt/equity, residency, fringe benefits tax, salary packaging and tax effect accounting.

Keith Ng
Tax Consultant – PKF
Bachelor of Business (Accounting) & Bachelor of Business (Banking & Finance), Grad Dip of Chartered Accounting

Keith is experienced in employment and expatriate taxation, particularly in the preparation and review of individual income tax returns and fringe benefit tax returns. He also provides advice on various tax issues including fringe benefit tax, tax residency and international transactions.

Keith also has experience in corporate taxation and has completed a Graduate Diploma of Chartered Accounting.

Martin Phelan
Partner – Bentleys Melbourne
Bachelor of Commerce, Masters of Taxation, Chartered Accountant, Registered Tax Agent, Fellow of the Taxation Institute of Australia

Martin has gained 30 years’ experience in the private sector and has extensive experience in providing taxation and business advice to a variety of industries. He has extensive experience advising business owners and managers in the areas of taxation, business structures, purchase and sale of businesses, financing, succession and estate planning.

Martin has assisted clients in preparing consulting and executive employment agreements, including setting performance targets and equity participation reward structures. His industry experience extends across manufacturing, importing, wholesale and distribution, exporting, service businesses and property investment.

Gary Poon
Manager – PKF
Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Information Systems, Masters of International Tax, Chartered Accountant.

Gary has experience in advising government and corporate clients on various tax matters. His strengths lie in his attention to detail and methodical approach to taxation issues. He is highly regarded by his peers for his strong technical skills. In addition, Gary has also advised and assisted a number of companies with their research and development tax concession claims.

Chelsea Si
Senior Consultant – PKF
Bachelor of Commerce, LLB, Associate of the Taxation Institute of Australia

Chelsea is experienced in advising corporate clients on a range of taxation matters and understands the compliance issues they face. She is highly regarded for her ability to resolve issues in a methodical manner whilst keeping in mind the commercial implications at play.

She holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Law from Monash University and is currently pursuing a Master of Laws at the University of Melbourne.

Ernie Thai
Manager – PKF
Bachelor of Business (Accounting), Chartered Accountant

Ernie is a Chartered Accountant with over six years of experience in providing specialist expatriate tax advice and services. Ernie joined PKF’s International Employment Taxation group in June 2010, and previously practiced at a big four accounting firm.

Ernie has supervised expatriate tax engagements for large multinational corporations involving hundreds of expatriates spread over multiple countries. Ernie’s experience extends to clients looking to second employees to or out of Australia for the very first time, helping them minimise tax cost and attract foreign talent.

Ben Unicomb
Tax Consultant – PKF
Bachelor of Commerce, Grad Dip of Chartered Accounting

Ben’s role is primarily compliance work, being the completion of income and fringe benefit tax returns and their working papers – for a variety of entities. This includes related correspondence regarding the ATO, ASIC, etc.

Rachel Yeo
Assistant Manager – PKF
Bachelor of Accounting, Chartered Accountant, Associate of the Taxation Institute of Australia

Rachel has almost 7 years’ experience in the chartered accounting profession, specialising in corporate taxation. She has experience in consulting to large public listed companies, medium to large privately owned businesses, partnership and trust taxation.

Rachel has been actively involved in providing taxation advice to international companies based in Australia and overseas. She has provided compliance and consulting advice in relation to tax consolidations, thin capitalisation, debt/equity rules and international tax issues. She has strong technical skills and is experienced in providing advice to clients at all levels. She is also known for her attention to detail.

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