Professional experience
Michael joined Nexia Canberra in 1989 after 18 years in the Sydney and National Canberra offices of the Australian Taxation Office.
His wide experience in the ATO ideally suited him to head our Tax Consulting Division which provides specialist tax advice to a broad range of clients including individuals, partnerships, trusts, companies, superannuation funds and public sector organisations. Michael provides practical commercial advice tailored to a person’s or organisation’s particular circumstances.
More specifically, Michael advises on the application of all of Australia’s tax laws including income tax, capital gains tax, fringe benefits tax, GST and payroll tax. He assists in the resolution of tax audits, submits Private Ruling Requests to the ATO and assists with outstanding tax payment arrangements with the ATO. He has developed a specialty in achieving income tax exemptions for eligible organisations under the income tax law, including the associated fringe benefits tax concessions. Michael also advises clients on international tax laws, including the application of Australia’s Double Tax Agreements.
Michael gives specialist advice to other accounting and law firms on the application of Australia’s tax and superannuation laws to their clients. He is also engaged to advise on which entity structure (sole trader, partnership, company or trust) most appropriately fits a client’s circumstances.
Michael has advised the Committee of Public Accounts for the Federal Parliament and has attended before Parliamentary Committees on behalf of National Industry Associations. For 25 years, he wrote a weekly article for the Canberra Times Sunday newspaper on tax and superannuation laws and has provided comments on ABC radio.
Michael’s forte is his ability to explain the application of Australia’s tax and superannuation laws simply and concisely. Essential to him is that his clients understand the advice he gives.
Michael’s philosophy is that no client is the same and each person deserves understanding and practical advice that can be readily implemented.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Arts (Accounting and Economics), Macquarie University
Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand
Fellow of the Australian Society of CPAs
Fellow of the Taxation Institute of Australia
Chartered Tax Advisor
Skills
- Tax and superannuation planning
- Business structure planning
- Estate planning
- Knowledge of capital gains tax laws
- Knowledge of Australia’s Double Tax Agreements
- Being able to explain complex laws simply and concisely