The dux of ATL004 CTA2B Advanced, Ryan has rapidly progressed in tax, driven by curiosity, mentorship, and a passion for practical, client-focused advice.
From Graduate to Manager in record time
Ryan started his tax career as a fresh graduate within PwC’s corporate team in 2022, he had just completed a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Accounting and Finance and had ambitions to reach great heights in tax. He joined Grant Thornton in 2024 and by the time we caught up with him again in late 2025, he’d been promoted from Senior Associate to Manager.
The trajectory might seem meteoric, but Ryan attributes it to something more fundamental than talent alone. "During my career, I've been fortunate to learn from senior colleagues who took the time to mentor me," he reflects. "I also try to do the same for the junior members of my team."
It's this combination of absorbing knowledge and paying it forward that characterises Ryan's approach to professional development. He understands that growth isn't a solitary pursuit.
His achievement as Dux of ATL004 CTA2B Advanced, a key component of the Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) programme he's currently pursuing, is testament to his dedication to mastering tax at the highest level.
Why tax?
Everyone’s decision to work in tax and their journey to get there is unique to them. In Ryan’s case it was his desire to put his impressive talent of problem-solving and his love of the law.
“It’s a field that never stays still. You always have to think ahead. The law changes, businesses evolve, and each day is different from the last.”
Ryan’s approach to his work is admirable, but he is humble and acknowledges he had some help along the way. “During my career, I’ve been fortunate to learn from senior colleagues who took the time to mentor me. I also try to do the same for the junior members of my team.”
But the intellectual challenge alone wouldn't be enough. What keeps Ryan engaged is the impact. "Good advice helps people make informed decisions. That's what I find rewarding: helping people make sense of rules that can be complex and ambiguous so that they can make the best decision."
Currently, Ryan works with a broad range of businesses, from large corporations to growing firms. "The work can be complex, but that's what makes it interesting," he says. "And I'm fortunate to work with people who approach their work with real thought and care."
On the journey to seeing tax through client’s eyes
His ambition to elevate his career further is in his undertaking the CTA program. Ryan's decision to pursue the CTA designation wasn't about adding letters after his name. It was strategic, driven by a realisation about how clients actually experience tax.
“I chose to study with The Tax Institute because it’s practical and directly relevant to my work,” he explains.
“I like that it gives me a broader view of the tax system. Working primarily in corporate tax, it’s easy to become specialised in one area. But clients don’t experience tax in silos, so they need someone who understands the full picture.”
This philosophy earned him dux status and, more importantly, makes him exceptionally valuable to the businesses he advises.
More than a credential
“Look at study as more than a credential,” he urges when asked about study advice.
“The best way to approach study is to make it practical. If you’re only memorising legislation and case law for an exam, the knowledge won’t stick. I found it useful to think about how each topic related to the real situations I see at work. That made the material easier to understand and more relevant.”
This advice reveals how Ryan achieved dux status whilst working full-time. He didn’t compartmentalise study and work. He integrated them using each to reinforce the other.
“If you engage with the material properly, thinking about how it applies in practice, you’ll get much more out of it.”
The road ahead
Naturally, Ryan’s next step is completing the full CTA Program but he is already thinking beyond that milestone.
“Tax is a field that requires ongoing learning, whether through formal study or simply keeping up with legislative changes and thinking critically about how they apply in practice, and I look forward to keep going with this throughout my career.”
It's this mindset that separates those who merely work in tax from those who shape its future. Ryan doesn't see learning as a phase to complete. He sees it as the foundation of a career built on providing genuinely valuable advice to clients who need someone capable of seeing the whole picture. And in a field that never stays still, that understanding is what matters most.