Reaching for the stars: How Carrie became a double Dux and tax trailblazer
Published: 14 Jul 2025
Carrie Tan, Ventia Services Group, Sydney
As a child, Carrie dreamed of space exploration. Today, she navigates the complex universe of tax law with the same curiosity and precision. And her achievement as Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) dux of 2025 proves that she has reached for the stars in her own extraordinary way. “I wanted to be an astronaut,” she reflects. While her path led elsewhere, earning the CTA3 Advisory dux distinction shows that Carrie has transformed under pressure into a true diamond of the profession.
Carrie’s achievements as a senior tax adviser at Ventia Services Group, recently earning her CTA accreditation and being a three-time dux, prove that, with dedication and reaching for the stars, you can achieve it all. Having studied a Bachelor of Commerce degree at UNSW, Carrie saw an opportunity to expand her skillset and spread her wings in the tax world.
We were curious about what drives Carrie’s passion for working in tax. She told us that, when working with SME clients, she gets to see how tax principles apply in the real world. “What I find most engaging about tax is how it is always changing. It evolves with the world which means there is always something new to learn and a new problem to solve. I enjoy the challenge of working through these complex issues to find an optimal solution,” she explains.
But it’s the problem-solving aspect that truly energises her. “I take pride in solving complex problems and contributing to the growth and success of Ventia,” Carrie says. “I enjoy the challenge of taking a difficult tax issue and breaking it down into manageable components to find practical solutions,” she concludes.
The CTA is a highly regarded designation in the tax world and Carrie knows this. “I decided to become a CTA to deepen my tax technical expertise and formalise my commitment to the tax profession.”
Being the driven individual she is, Carrie embarked on the demanding CTA journey in August 2023, skilfully balancing a full-time job and family responsibilities. Her commitment to excellence has been unwavering. Not only has she received a high distinction for every subject that she studied with us, she has also achieved dux three times: first in 2023 for ATL004 CTA2B Advanced, then for Tax for Trusts, and now for CTA3 Advisory. Her academic momentum continues to build. After graduating with us from the Graduate Diploma of Applied Tax Law in April, she recently completed CommLaw 3, cementing her powerhouse tax skills.
Speaking to Carrie at The Tax Summit, we could tell that she was ambitious, humble and personable, and we wanted to know what the CTA designation meant to her. “Receiving the CTA2B Advanced, the Tax for Trusts, and the CTA3 Advisory Dux Awards was a great honour but it is not just about getting a qualification. Rather, it represents my ongoing dedication to the tax profession and a reminder to always strive to do my best. This achievement reinforces my commitment, and it is a privilege to be able to be among a group of highly respected tax professionals in Australia.”
We wanted to understand what made Carrie’s experience of studying with The Tax Institute so successful. For her, it was the program’s practical focus that set it apart. “The best part was the high quality of the module materials and the program’s focus on practical application. The CTA program is not about memorising and regurgitating tax laws; it is about learning how to apply them to real situations which is what a tax adviser does daily,” she explains.
It was also the CTA program’s structure that particularly impressed her. “I particularly enjoyed that it covered a wide range of tax topics, while also providing you with the opportunity to specialise in a specific tax topic in CTA3. I appreciated that the program was structured well and manageable alongside my full-time job,” she notes.
When we asked Carrie about her aspirations, her ambition was clear: “I want to become a senior tax professional, leading to more doors opening for me with more challenging opportunities. I aim to become a tax technical expert and to one day become a strategic business partner, contributing to financial decisions from a tax lens.” Given her stellar determination, we have no doubt that she will get there. Her journey to CTA dux is just the beginning of what promises to be an exceptional career trajectory.
Read time: 5 minutes