Company News

Sofia leads the R&D team to achieve the best possible outcomes for her clients and ensures ABA is always there for support in whatever they are trying to achieve. As well as being proficient in R&D Tax claims and R&D planning, Sofia is highly versed in helping businesses access grants to improve cash flow and achieve their business goals.

In leading the R&D team here at ABA, Sofia brings 15 years of commercial experience to the team in specialised advice relating to government grants, incentives and export assistance and the provision of guidance to businesses regarding their commercialisation initiatives.

Sofia is happiest spending quality time with her family and friends, and embraces this time by bringing them on her adventures. She is a lover of fashion, discovering new music, and a glass of red after a long week.

Josie’s role is to support the R&D team in an administrative capacity to keep the team organised and on track with deliverables for clients. She loves researching, dancing, swimming and exploring the world of the unknown. Josie is looking forward to bringing her analytical mindset and flair of creativity to the role of R&D Team Support.

Chelsea assists the Tax and Corporate Legal Teams at ABA, by providing a rounded and adaptable experience for clients. With a Juris Doctor (JD) from Bond University, Chelsea focused her education in both tax law and corporate law studies and has additionally received an accreditation in commercial mediation. She enjoys coming up with solutions for challenges apparent within international or domestic business structures.

Jess manages the day-to-day operations of our specialised Biotech service offering, acting as the conduit between our global biotechnology and medtech clients and our internal team. Jess ensures all governance, compliance and administrative tasks associated with client operations are strategically considered and completed.

For more information relating to our specialised Biotech service offering, get in touch with Jess here.

As a commercial lawyer, Kurt loves assisting clients with everything they may need to operate commercially while remaining compliant with the law. Kurt also has a passion for drafting seamless legal documents that allow the smooth and stress-free operation of a clients’ commercial venture.

As Associate Director at ABA, Toni leads our team of specialist lawyers and consultants who pursue potential for clients through simplifying complex tax and legal problems.

Pulling from over 12 years of experience delivering exceptional results to large multinational inbound and outbound investors, structuring foreign and domestic unlisted investments for a large Australian superannuation fund and assisting the SME market with international expansion, structuring and repatriation strategies, Toni understands what it takes to ensure a business is in the right position to reach their future goals. She also takes the time to really understand clients’ businesses and considers all aspects of their operation and objectives when recommending tax or legal strategies.

If you are meeting with Toni at our office, you’ll also get to meet our Chief Wellness Officer, Tully, who will usually meet you at the office door with her tail wagging!

Outside of work, Toni enjoys taking Tully to the beach, planning her next overseas trip or basically anything that involves being outdoors or spending time with family and friends.

Steven works with our clients to deliver specialist advice on a range of domestic and international tax challenges, particularly regarding tax effective structures and restructuring. With extensive senior executive experience in the ATO, Steven has a unique insight into the policies and practices of Australia’s taxation regulators and understands how to leverage this to our clients’ advantage.

Our multi-skilled and talented Operations Assistant, Laura, is responsible for all things administration. If you come to our office, you’ll no doubt have the pleasure of meeting Laura. You might also hear from her to organise a meeting or to help manage other aspects of your relationship with ABA.

Nicole is our talented Executive Assistant, providing day-to-day operational support to our Director, Andrew. With her great work ethic and personable nature, Nicole is an essential part of the team at ABA and is our first point of call for all things related to Andrew.

Nicola assists the team with R&D Tax Incentive applications for our clients. With a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Bond University, Nicola utilises her research, writing and support skills to exceed client expectations.

Debora is a highly knowledgeable R&D Consultant with plenty of experience helping clients across a range of industries. Debora supports our clients to apply for the R&D Tax Incentive and to better understand how they can continue innovating in their industry. In her spare time, Debora is passionate about start-ups.

Alex is an R&D Consultant with experience in Law (LLB) and Pharmaceutical Science (BPharmTox), which he leverages to support our clients when applying for the R&D Tax Incentive.

Andrew is our multi-skilled Director and Founder at ABA, bringing with him a world of ambition for his company and clients.

Born in Canada, and having worked all around the world, Andrew has a wealth of experience guiding multinational corporations through the complexities of global business. Throughout everything he does, Andrew exudes passion and ambition, and loves being part of the success journey of others.

The inspiration for ABA came from Andrew’s desire to pursue his potential where doing things differently was truly valued. He was eager to deliver an accessible solution to tax and corporate law that considers client businesses as a whole, rather than delivering disjointed strategies that clients would struggle to implement.

Under Andrew’s guidance, ABA now has the breadth of skill to understand all industries and impacts on business.

“We are clear about what we are great at and we do these things really well. We also understand when to bring in specialists, allowing us to deliver and execute comprehensive corporate strategies that work smarter to achieve client goals.”

Connecting seamlessly within ABA’s service offering, Andrew has also developed a complementary software company called Synnch that helps to automate lengthy R&D reporting processes for our clients. Through launching this cloud-based platform, Andrew hopes to further support clients in pursuing and actualising the potential of their business.

When he is not working hard to develop new ways of encouraging business success, Andrew loves heading down to the beach, skateboarding along the esplanade and having fun with his twin daughters.

Tammi is our talented Senior Associate, bringing with her over ten years’ experience as a commercial and corporate lawyer.

Throughout her role, Tammi considers, recommends and implements commercially viable solutions for business challenges. Simply put, she looks at the bigger picture of any issue, considering it from all angles and balances it with corporate compliance, governance and commercial practicality.

Tammi’s goal for her clients is simple: to see them thrive in their industry and to witness them achieve their individual business goals.

Before coming to ABA in 2019, Tammi spent 5 years pursuing business ownership, opening a personal training studio in Burleigh Heads and an online fitness business. Having this experience has given her a unique perspective and allowed her to see situations through many different lenses.

Outside of work, Tammi loves collecting seashells with her family, running Burleigh headland, catching up with her friends and beating her husband at any game she can get her hands on!

Having spent over 11 years as an R&D Tax Specialist, Renee knows just about everything there is to know about the Australian R&D Tax Incentive. She also has a highly technical skillset, having started her career as a scientific researcher in Biotechnology.

Throughout her time as an R&D specialist, Renee has worked for global Big 4 professional services firms and has successfully partnered with many large clients. Pulling from these experiences, Renee now uses her abundant technical skillset to assist ABA clients.

As part of her role at ABA, Renee helps simplify complex reporting and claims processes for clients, allowing them to benefit from their claimable expenditure and ultimately invest more money back into their business. From assessing eligibility requirements and reviewing R&D expenditure to reporting on activities and lodging your application, Renee is your go-to girl for everything related to the R&D Tax Incentive.

When she is not busy working on your R&D claims, you are likely to find Renee cooking up a storm, reading a good book or getting outdoors with her husband and dogs.

As our hard-working Operations Manager, Holly works to ensure ABA operates efficiently and effectively in compliance with all regulatory requirements. Holly oversees the operations team and is responsible for the maintenance and development of our people, performance, culture and fun.

Ally supports both the Tax and Corporate Legal Teams at ABA, giving her the ability to provide comprehensive solutions for our clients. Ally particularly enjoys the brainstorming and implementation process of structuring our clients’ domestic and international businesses to ensure tax-efficiency and commercial outcomes.