What do you do at TAG?
I lead our Business Advisory & Taxation and Superannuation Advisory & Audit divisions.
My role encompasses many different areas, from providing strategic direction for the divisions to ensuring the team receives the necessary training, mentoring and career development opportunities. I also ensure that both divisions function effectively so that we can produce the outcomes that will mean our clients can achieve their business and retirement goals.
I am also involved with putting together our annual Superannuation Update & Strategies seminar and presenting this to over 400 of our accounting colleagues.
How do you prefer to start your day? Tea or Coffee?
Coffee. I generally only have one a day, and I usually have it around 3 pm. I particularly like it when it is accompanied by a gingerbread man!
What was your first job?
My first “non-professional” role was working in the little independent supermarket my parents owned. At the same time, a video store opened across the road from the supermarket, and I got a job there. It was great getting to see all the new releases, which we would play in the store.
My first “professional” role was as a graduate with TAG. I’m very proud that I commenced with TAG over 25 years ago, fresh out of university.
What are you reading right now?
I’m currently reading the notes to the financial statements that go into preparing general-purpose financial statements.
Exciting stuff, but required due to changes that are applying for some of our clients for the 2022 financial year.
I’m not currently reading anything outside of work, but I recently finished Funkytown by Paul Kennedy. He is a couple of years younger than me, and it is a memoir set in 1993. It describes his time in Frankston, which is where I grew up. It was interesting reading about so many places that I went to when I was younger.
Who would be your 3 ideal dinner guests, dead or alive?
Neil Armstrong, as I would love to hear about his thoughts of going way outside your comfort zone and what it was really like walking on the moon and checking out that amazing view, Kate Ceberano as I like her music (perhaps she could sing to me during dinner first and then we could get down to gossiping), and Eliud Kipchoge (marathon runner who recently broke his own world marathon record time in the Berlin marathon!!) where we could talk all things marathon running.
What’s your favorite movie?
There are so many movies I love in all different genres. Harry Potter series, Lord of the Rings series, Love Actually, Blades of Glory, Last of the Mohicans, Cliffhanger, Million Ways to Die in the West, In her Shoes.
Do you have any special talents?
I can knit, and I’m also great at splitting a bill quickly in my head (comes in handy when out for dinner with friends).
Who’s someone you really admire and why?
Not one person in particular, but I admire people who set a goal for themselves and then set out to achieve this. There will be hurdles along the way, but these people see opportunities and find solutions to help them realise their dreams. They have discipline, dedication, the ability to be flexible and adapt, and don’t wait around for it to happen to them – they make it happen!
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Fillet steak, cooked “blue” (if you could call that cooking), served with fresh, steamed greens and duck fat roast potatoes, and accompanied by a glass of shiraz.
What are three items you’d take with you to a deserted island?
A Swiss Army knife, a first aid kit that included matches, and either a Satellite phone or a genie to grant me wishes!