Our People

CO-FOUNDERJason Zhang

Background & Experience

Jason Zhang is CA, CPA and a Chartered Tax Adviser, he has extensive experience providing accounting, taxation and business advisory services to a broad spectrum of clients ranging from high-net-worth individuals to large enterprises and subsidiaries of foreign multinationals. His clients come from a wide variety of industries including professional services, property development, financial institution, and manufacturing. Jason also has expertise in international tax.

Jason has a proven track record of providing strategic tax solutions that are practical and delivers value to his clients. He also regularly assists his clients with M&A, due diligence and cross-border joint venture tasks.

Jason holds a Bachelor of law, Master of professional accounting and Graduate diploma of Financial Management. He is a member of CPA Australia, Chartered Accountant ANZ and Tax Institute.

Qualifications/ Memberships

Associate Director Anna Wijeyesinghe

Background & Experience

Anna Wijeyesinghe is a Chartered Accountant with extensive finance and accounting industry experience. She has provided accounting, taxation and business advisory services to a variety of clients including franchises, not for profits and medium to large enterprises. Her experience includes tax advice, monthly management reporting, business planning and cashflows.

Anna has acted as Financial Controller and Virtual CFO in a variety of businesses. She has managed and reviewed accounting and internal controls to implement policies and software systems within a number of organisations. She is proficient in tax compliance, business advisory and accounting services.

Anna holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) and is a member of CAANZ (Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand).

Qualifications/ Memberships

business service Manager Stephen Kouvardas

Background & Experience

Stephen Kouvardas has 8 years’ experience in tax and business advisory services, working with clients in a broad range of industries including property development, construction, retail and financial services industry. As part of the Connect Advisors high performance business service team, Stephen is a hands-on assistant manager who plans, reviews and prepares business compliance work. He actively assists clients with complex tax research and strategic tax planning while proactively working with his clients in a practical manner to ensure all their needs are met.

Education/Qualifications

Business Service Manager Grant Patterson

Background & Experience

Grant has over 15 years’ experience providing accounting, taxation and business advisory services to a broad spectrum of clients ranging from high net worth individuals to SMEs and subsidiaries of foreign multinationals. He has a proven track record of providing strategic tax solutions that are practical and delivers value to his clients. He also regularly assists his clients with Accounting system design, Payroll systems, Budgeting and Cashflow management.

Grant began his career working for a CBD based chartered Accounting firm before moving into industry where he worked extensively within the corporate sector as a Company Accountant and then Finance Manager of several National organisations including the National Safety Council of Australia (NSCA) Ltd.

He then moved back into the accounting profession and obtained membership of the Institute of Public Accountants in Australia. Grant’s experience is complemented by a Bachelor of Commerce from Melbourne University. Grant is also a certified Xero advisor.

Education/Qualifications

Manager - SMSF Specialist Vladimir Varas

Background & Experience

With over 20 years professional accounting and tax experience, Vladimir is a fellow of the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) and member of the Self Managed Super Fund Professionals' Association of Australia (SPAA).

Vladimir specialised in Self Managed Super Fund compliance and complex SMSF issues.

Education/Qualifications

Consultant James Ridley

Background & Experience

James Ridley is a Registered Company Auditor, a member of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and has over 20 years of professional services experience.

James specialises in external audit and forensic accounting and also has experience in process review, risk management and transaction services. James has provided services to clients ranging from ASX listed entities to large private and SME companies.

James is also a recognised expert in audit methodologies having authored the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand Audit Manual and toolkit. Further, James was the first external expert used by the CAANZ for this author role.

Education/Qualifications