SHANE MACFARLANE

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Shane’s a Chartered Accountant, registered Tax Agent (TAN: 25624705) and expatriate tax specialist who founded Expat Taxes Australia over 16 years ago in 2006, and on top of all that, he’s an expat himself too!

Shane’s the leader of our team and he currently lives in Melbourne. He’s recently returned to Melbourne after a 15 year stint as an expat Shane has also lived most recently in Vietnam for 8.5 years and before that, he lived and worked in the United States, Malaysia, Indonesia . . . and of course, Australia!

He’s not only been recognised as a skilled tax specialist but also as an innovator and successful startup entrepreneur in the Australian accounting industry, having founded, launched & sold a fin-tech startup (Fifo Workpapers) to the Nasdaq listed, accounting industry behemoth, Intuit Inc.

Beyond startups, Shane has also founded and run accounting practices, and Australian tax and accounting outsourcing businesses in both in Australia and overseas, and he’s run Australian Top 100 accounting practices and all with similar goals . . . a total focus on satisfying client needs and providing clients with maximum value in every interaction with us, and in everything that we do.

So it’s probably no surprise to you then, that outside of accounting and tax, Shane’s next love is technology . . . Apple products, computers, electronic gadgets . . .  you name it! In fact, if it has flashing lights (or an Apple logo) Shane’s drawn to it like a moth to a flame!

Greatest accomplishment:
Shane explains that he can’t limit it to just one! According to him, each of his three awesome sons (equally) are his three biggest accomplishments! Professionally, Shane’s extremely proud of creating and building Expat Taxes to serve the tax needs of Australians all over the world.

Never leave home without:
Your sense of humour, a smile and a positive attitude!

Best advice Shane’s ever received:
Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life

 

TERRYN DAVIDOW

SENIOR TAX MANAGER

Terryn’s a very experienced Australian CPA qualified tax specialist with over 15 years of working in the tax and accounting industry. Terryn is also a registered tax agent (TAN: 26003459) who, along with Shane supervises the work of our accounting team. Terryn is skilled in Expatriate Tax and a host of other areas including business advisory services, business income tax, budgeting and analysis, financial accounting, and Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Terryn joined the ETS team in mid-2019 after a long stint with a reputable Perth based accounting firm, NKH where he worked in compliance for small to medium businesses and high wealth individuals.

Originally from Perth, Terryn now resides in Bogota, Colombia with his partner Irene, and he works for us from there.

When not working on expatriate tax and preparing expat tax returns, Terryn’s can be found cycling up and down Colombian roads or plying his trade on the cricket pitch for the Bogota Cricket Club

Greatest accomplishment:
It’s hard to say. Successfully completing the Chevron City to Surf half marathon in Perth in August 2019 was a highlight but outside of that, I think my greatest achievement is yet to come!

Never leave home without:
A fully charged phone and some cash.

Best advice Terryn’s ever received:
Never, never, never give up!

GRANT KEATING

SENIOR TAX MANAGER

Grant is a very experienced Australian FCPA with over 35 years principally working in the areas of taxation, accounting and audits (real estate trust accounts, external auditing for SMEs etc).

Grant previously ran his own accounting practice for just over 16 years and in that time he built it up a solid, loyal base of clients before selling the practice in 2012. Since then, Grant has continued to work in the industry, advising Australian individuals and small businesses who he has been consulting with ever since.

Originally from country Victoria, Grant migrated north to the Sunshine Coast for many years and now, we have the pleasure of Grant’s company in our Ho Chi Minh City office, here in Vietnam, where he is residing.

With 35 plus years of experience under his belt, Grant’s taxation and accounting knowledge is extensive. That experience allows Grant to focus on the big picture/vision whilst getting down in the weeds with detailed tax-planning ideas for the benefit of our clients.

When not working on tax and accounting matters Grant can be found exercising at the gym or swimming and training /playing Aussie rules football with the Vietnam Swans (where he and Shane first crossed paths). Grant also enjoys spending time with Ly, his Vietnamese partner and her two boys.

Greatest accomplishment:
After witnessing what she has achieved, and become in her life to date, without a doubt, my beautiful 22 year old daughter Hayley, is my greatest accomplishment!

Never leave home without:
Glasses (otherwise I can’t see up close) and so that I don’t feel naked without them, some cash and my credit card!

Best advice Grant’s ever received:
Courtesy of my Dad, “If you’re going to do a job do it properly, and do it right the first time”. !

NHI NGUYEN

TAX MANAGER

Nhi’s a very experienced CPA Australia qualified tax specialist with over 10 years of working in the tax and accounting industry. Much of Nhi’s experience has been gained in working in high-pressure tax and accounting outsource environments where her and her team were required to provide high quality tax and accounting outsourcing services to Australian accounting practices.

Nhi joined the ETS team in mid-2019 and has proven to be an extremely valuable team-member who is popular and respected by all of our team.

Originally from Nha Trang, Nhi now resides in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam with her husband and daughter (both of whom keep her busy outside of work).

Greatest accomplishment:
Without a doubt, my daughter is my greatest accomplishment, I’m very, very proud of her.

Never leave home without:
Doing your hair and makeup!

Best advice Nhi’s ever received:
Whatever you choose to do – always, always give it 100%!

PHUONG PHAM

TAX ACCOUNTANT

Phuong’s a very experienced CPA Australia qualified tax specialist with over 7 years of working in the tax and accounting industry. Much of Phuong’s experience has been gained in working in tax and accounting outsource environments providing high quality tax and accounting outsourcing services to Australian accounting practices.

Phuong joined the ETS team in early 2019 and has proven to be one of our tax and accounting rock-stars! Phuong is highly skilled in expatriate tax and has excellent tax research skills that holds her and her clients in good stead.

Phuong resides with her parents and the love of her life, her dog, in Ho Chi Minh City!

Greatest accomplishment:
I’m not sure but I think my greatest achievement was passing my Australian CPA qualification as the exams are notoriously difficult.

Never leave home without:
Your keys!

Best advice Phuong’s ever received:
Keep learning personally and professionally every day!

MAI NGUYEN

TAX ACCOUNTANT

Mai’s a very experienced tax specialist who has also qualified for her Australian CPA (although not current at present) with over 7 years of working in the tax and accounting industry. Mai’s experience has also been gained in working in tax and accounting outsource environments providing high quality tax and accounting outsourcing services to accounting firms all over Australia.

Mai joined the ETS team in early 2019 and has developed excellent expatriate taxation knowledge and skills and she loves nothing more than helping to save her clients as much tax as possible!

Mai lives near the centre of Ho Chi Minh City, a stones throw from our office!

Greatest accomplishment:
I’m not sure – I’ll tell you later (I promise)!

Never leave home without:
A good quality hand sanitizer!

Best advice Mai’s ever received:
Be kind to people; treat people as you would like to be treated!

TRISTAN

SENIOR TAX MANAGER

Tristan’s a very experienced manager with over 10 years’ experience working with teams in Australia & Asia, leading both small groups and large teams of 50 plus or more.

Tristan joined out Expat Taxes team in July 2021, and although not from an accounting background, Tristan’s business development & project management experience brings a unique, thinking out of the box perspective that adds significant value to the systems and processes within our firm and ultimately to our clients.

Originally from Geelong, Victoria, Tristan has resided in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam for last 6 years before joining us and continuing his expat adventure here with us at Expat Taxes.

When not working with our team Tristan can be found spending time with his beautiful daughter, or kicking an Aussie Rules football around various sports fields in Ho Chi Minh City! Tristan’s passion for Australian Rules Football and for sport generally, caused him to cross paths with our Managing Director, as they both took the field for the Vietnam Swans teaming up together to take on various other football teams across Asia!

Greatest accomplishment:
According to Tristan, he has so many career and sporting moments that he can’t limit them to just one! In all seriousness though, according to Tristan, his greatest achievement hands down, is his beautiful two year old daughter. Raising his daughter is without doubt is his most fulfilling (ongoing) accomplishment!

Never leave home without:
Wallet with all the essentials, cash, cards and ID.

Best advice Tristan’s ever received:
We only get one life – live it without regrets!

LAUREY JORDAN

ADMINISTRATION TEAM

Laurey’s the glue that holds the practice together, making sure that everything runs smoothly and consistently!

Originally from Melbourne, Laurey is one of the most client focused, passionate team-members that you could ever meet . . . and she’s the type of person that always has your best interests at heart.  Laurey is a very friendly, social person and so it’s no surprise that she’s the perfect person to lead our client relationship management efforts!

Laurey and her husband Phil and 3 children, live in Newcastle, Australia, after recently returning from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam where she lived previously.

When not running around after the firm and our clients, Laurey’s running around after her family and between the two, her family and our firm, we’re constantly amazed at just how Laurey effortlessly manages both extremely well.

Outside of work Laurey loves to travel and she loves to play sport. Before moving back to Australia, Laurey regularly appeared on the field for the Vietnam Swans Women’s AFL team here in Saigon.

Greatest accomplishment:
It’s hard to go past my two beautiful kids – they’re definitely my greatest achievement!

Never leave home without:
A bottle of water and emergency chocolate

Best advice Laurey’s ever received:
When traveling, take half as many clothes and twice as much money

ANDREW SMITH

TAX CONSULTANT

Andrew’s not like any other accountant you’ll meet! Not only is he super-intelligent and a tax and accounting freak . . . he’s actually got a personality (accountant joke!) and he’s a lot of fun to have a beer (or several) with!

As you’re sure to discover . . . Andrew’s got a cheeky but dry sense of humour that comes to the fore on odd occasion or two!  A lot of that cheekiness comes from truly having seen it all over 20 plus years of working in accounting and tax.

Andrew’s career began back with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) in the 1980’s, after which he worked for several large & mid-tier firms through the 1990’s progressing through to Principal level. From early 2000 through to 2005 Andrew was a Principal in PKF’s (Perth) corporate tax division. A key part of that role was managing PKF’s Professional Practice Network (PPN) providing specialist tax advisory services to more than 150 accounting firms.

Andrew subsequently was Associate Director in Corporate & International Tax at BDO (Perth).

Andrew has extensive expertise in Australian & International taxation, and in a very broad range of advisory areas including high net worth individuals, self managed superannuation funds (SMSSFs) SME’s and Large Corporates.

Trainer to Other Firms

Andrew has been a regular presenter and tax trainer for a number of professional bodies including the ICAA, CPA Australia, Taxation Institute of Australia (TIA) and the National Institute of Accountants. Andrew was the cornerstone presenter for the TIA’s Tax-in-Brief series in 2006 and a foundation lecturer for the TIA’s Structured Education Program. Andrew is currently a Technical Tax Trainer to numerous professional services firms in WA.

And if that wasn’t enough . . .

Andrew has also served previously on the following CPA Australia national committees providing advice and assistance to the CPA National Board:

BILL CRANG

MARKETING MANAGER

Bill is a passionate expat speciallizing in digital marketing. In joining the Expat Taxes team Bill sees an incredible opportunity to share the fantastic service ETS offers clients and share it to 1,000s more Aussies living incredible expat lives in all corners of the globe.
Bill is an Australian who has been based Vietnam for over 10 years all of these working in the exciting digital marketing space. Bill’s passion is based on building marketing strategies that both attract and bring value to new and existing customers resulting in ongoing powerful relationships.
Outside of work Bill has a passion for all things outdoors, enjoying trips out of the city either chasing waves to surf, cycling or competing ultra-trail marathons.

Greatest accomplishment:
I certainly like to think it’s coming, hopefully in March next year but watch that space

From a work sense I’ve been proud to build successful teams, win awards i as an expat working in Vietnam. The fast paced nature of living and working here in a developing market has made these successes all the more satisfying.

Outside this I’ve been able to complete several physical challenges connected to great causes including a 300km single day bike ride that enabled us to fund 13 impoverished kids education.

Never leave home without:
A sense of adventure (but in reality a fully charged phone )

Best advice Tristan’s ever received:
If you really want to do something, you’ll find a way. If you don’t, you’ll find an excuse.

LAN NGUYEN

TAX ACCOUNTANT

Lan’s an experienced tax specialist who has also completed her master’s degree in accounting in Sydney with over 6 years of working experience in the tax and accounting industry. Lan’s experience has also been gained in working in tax and accounting outsource environments providing high quality tax and accounting outsourcing services to accounting firms all over Australia.

Lan joined the ETS team in mid 2021 and has quickly developed strong expatriate taxation knowledge and skills. Her goals are to keep her clients happy with the professional working attitude.

Greatest accomplishment:
Realizing I have more potential than I thought.

Never leave home without:
My phone and wallet

Best advice Laurey’s ever received:
Change your thinking, change your life.

PHONG GIANG

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Phong has worked with ETS for over 5 years providing a huge range of design services. Phong has expanded his skills to cover branding, web design, print design and more. He applies these skills to Expat Taxes needs and to several of our clients.

Never leave home without:
My laptop

Best advice Laurey’s ever received:
Just think!