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The Dux of CommLaw2, Amber, shares her dynamic journey of growth, learning, and success in the tax profession through dedication and strategic study.
When Amber started her career with Oke Financial Services as a junior tax accountant in 2019, she had ambition but no roadmap. Six years later, she's the firm's tax manager and the Dux of CommLaw2. Her secret? A relentless commitment to learning that transformed her career trajectory.
The journey from Zhongnan University of Economics and Law in China to a Master's degree at Sydney University might seem like the natural pathway to success. But Amber’s story really begins with a realisation that she had an aptitude for working with numbers and a keen interest in tax laws.
“I have always been drawn to problem-solving and analytical challenges,” Amber explains. She told us she finds the work intellectually stimulating and rewarding.
“I manage complex tax issues, oversee compliance, and implement strategies and solutions that optimise tax outcomes for our clients genuinely transforming their financial position.”
“I take great satisfaction in seeing the positive results of my work. When clients achieve substantial savings or improved financial efficiency due to our strategies, it reinforces the value of my contributions and motivates me to continue pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve.”
The turning point
By 2022, Amber had already established herself at Oke Financial Services, but she knew there was more to learn. She enrolled in The Tax Institute’s CTA program, tackling CTA2A Advanced, CTA2B Advanced and CTA3 Advisory in succession.
“The knowledge and skills I gained from these courses have proven highly valuable in my work, enhancing my ability to navigate complex tax issues and provide strategic advice.”
The hard work paid off. In 2023 she earned her CTA designation, and the knowledge she gained became immediately applicable to her daily work.
“The Tax Institute differed from my previous studies,” she recalls. “It wasn’t theoretical. Every lesson connected directly to the challenges I was facing with clients.”
Amber takes pride in her desire to continually learn and develop professionally and she pushed herself further. “Having completed CTA 3, I was planning to advance towards becoming a registered tax agent. To support this goal, I studied Commercial Law 2 to deepen my understanding of legal principles that are crucial for tax practice.”
What was most interesting about the course?
When we asked Amber about the most valuable aspects of her study, she lit up discussing business structures, bankruptcy and insolvency and superannuation law. “With the frequent changes in legislation and its complexity, I found the superannuation unit particularly useful,” she notes.
“But learning about different business structures was genuinely enlightening because it helped me assess how organisational choices impact tax liabilities and planning strategies.”
The rewards beyond a pay cheque
For Amber, the satisfaction goes beyond career progression.
“My gained knowledge was useful for example when a client wanted to restructure their business to optimise their tax position. When clients achieve substantial savings or improved financial efficiency because of strategies we’ve developed, it reinforces the value of my learning and contribution. That’s what motivates me to keep on learning.”
She's now considering studying tax law more formally, with aspirations of potentially becoming a tax lawyer. Her ongoing learning journey, as she puts it, "not only enhances my skills but keeps me engaged and passionate about my work."
What advice would you give other tax professionals considering further study?
Amber’s advice is characteristically practical: “Choose courses that align with your career goals and interests, then take what you learn and apply it in your work. I highly recommend studying with The Tax Institute, the curriculum is well-thought out and will enhance your expertise and is applicable to your work.”
Amber’s story is proof that perseverance, loyalty and strategic learning create opportunities. From junior accountant to tax manager, from student to Dux, she’s shown that in the tax profession those who invest in themselves reap the rewards. And she’s not finished yet.