Wai San Woo

Global Head of Tax @ GHD

About

Executive Summary • Strategic & commercially astute Global Head of Tax with 25+ yrs experience across Big 4 firms and MNCs (BHP, EnergyAustralia, Orica) • Proven success in building and leading high-performing diverse tax teams • Optimizing global tax positions and advising Boards and C-suite on complex tax matters • Expertise spans global tax strategy, international tax structuring, M&A, governance, transfer pricing and transformation across diverse industries and geographies • Chartered Accountant (CA), Chartered Tax Advisor (CTA) • Master of International Tax, University of Melbourne Core competencies • Global tax strategy • Tax governance and tax risk management • International tax – transfer pricing and cross-border advisory • M&A structuring and due diligence • Stakeholder engagement, lobbying and consultation • Leadership and capability building • R&D tax incentive optimization

Country

Australia

City

Melbourne

Industry

Information Technology & Services

Skill

Tax Structuring, Tax due diligence, Australian Taxation, Financing, Tax Strategy, International Tax, Tax Accounting, Corporate Tax, Mergers & Acquisitions, Tax, Acquisitions, IFRS, Sarbanes-Oxley Act, Management, Financial Accounting, Tax Advisory, Accounting, Due Diligence, Risk Management, Financial Reporting

Experience

Global Head of Tax

GHD

2023-10 - Present · 3 yrs

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Overall responsibility for global tax function of the Group Manage and lead a global team of 18 Oversee global tax strategy, cross-border advisory, M&A, transfer pricing, tax governance and compliance Regular updates to Audit Committee

Commercial Associate, Tax

IFM Investors

2023-1 - 2023-6 · 6 mos

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Provided tax advice in relation to investment funds (from setup, holding, repatriation to exit). Managed and conducted tax due diligence on M&A transactions for fund investments, focusing on infrastructure projects

Group Tax Manager (Head of Tax)

SMEC (an SJ Group company)

2018-5 - 2021-11 · 3 yrs 7 mos

Melbourne, Australia

Overall responsibility for tax function of the Group Managed and led a team of 6 Tax strategy, international tax advisory, transfer pricing, M&A, tax structuring, R&D Tax Incentive Tax compliance and reporting, risk management and ATO liaison Regular updates to Audit, Risk Committee

Leader - Tax

EnergyAustralia

2006-8 - 2018-5 · 11 yrs 10 mos

Melbourne

Overall responsibility for direct tax function of the Group Managed and led a team of 2 Tax strategy, planning and advisory, M&A and structuring Tax effect accounting, tax compliance, risk management and ATO liaison Transfer pricing, R&D Tax Incentive Regional tax - seconded to HK listed CLP Holdings in 2011 EnergyAustralia leadership management development course

Senior Tax Advisor (Petroleum, Energy Coal and Freight)

BHP

2001-10 - 2006-6 · 4 yrs 9 mos

Melbourne

Overall responsibility for direct tax matters for Petroleum, Energy Coal and Freight businesses Tax compliance and advisory, M&A, divestment, tax due diligence, international tax matters R&D Tax Incentive, Petroleum Resource Rent Tax (“PRRT”), Fringe Benefits Tax ATO risk review/audit and litigation.

Tax Manager

Orica

2000-7 - 2001-9 · 1 yr 3 mos

Melbourne

Set up and led a team of five Overall responsibility for all ANZ tax matters (tax compliance and tax reporting) including income tax returns, tax effect accounting, Fringe Benefits Tax, GST, payroll tax as well as implementation.