2023 EY Young Tax Professional of the Year finalists

Nicholas, based in Australia, is the finalist representing Australia and New Zealand. He is a second-year student at the University of Western Australia, majoring in Economics and Business Law. He plans to complete a diverse range of internships and pursue a career where he is at the forefront of whatever is changing the world, such as sustainability initiatives or the metaverse. He hopes to move into a leadership role where he can have a tangible social impact on the world around him, possibly in areas around health or developmental economics. Nick enjoys writing poetry, using it as an outlet to relax and express his emotions in a creative way. He also loves traveling, sports and sampling unusual cuisine.

Eva is the Austrian finalist. She is a tax consultant with Ernst & Young Steuerberatungsgesellschaft m.b.H. in Austria. She received her Master of Laws from Vienna University of Economics and Business in July 2022 where she also worked for the Legal Affairs Office. In this role, she was focused on data protection and university law. She is a bookworm and also enjoys being active. She started rhythmic gymnastics as a child and spent summers swimming in the Danube. As Eva begins her career in tax she is also preparing for World Gymnaestrada, a global, non-competitive event held every four years with participation open to everyone.

Sidney, the finalist representing Canada, is a staff accountant with Ernst & Young LLP in Saskatoon, where she hopes to further develop her accounting skillset. She completed her undergraduate degree in December 2022 at the University of Saskatchewan and will begin her master’s degree in May 2023 to work toward her CPA designation. Previously, Sidney worked for the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure in Saskatchewan and supported the operations at her family farm. She is an avid reader and enjoys traveling, drawing, sports, adventures with close friends and volunteering. On the farm, she plays soccer with her dog. She also adopted a cat and taught him how to high-five.

Christian is the finalist representing Denmark. He is working toward a Master of Law from the University of Copenhagen. He works as a legal student assistant at a global logistics company, helping in-house lawyers with legal compliance and corporate governance, and incoming ad hoc tasks. He has previously worked as a student assistant at a Danish family law agency and as a legal aid volunteer. Christian envisions having an international career that he enjoys and is challenged. His hobbies include sports, movies, music and wine.

Inka is the finalist representing Finland. She will be starting as a trainee in the EY office in Finland next spring, which is also when she expects to finish her Master’s degree in Commercial and Tax Law from Tampere University. Her thesis analyzes the tax treatment of insurance premiums paid by employers. Inka previously worked for the Finnish Tax Administration for almost two years, where she advised customers on inheritance and gift taxation, including decision-making and claims handling. Inka looks forward to gaining more experience in taxation with the EY team in Finland. She enjoys yoga, cycling, jogging, skiing and skating. She also loves Spanish culture, especially the food. She has visited Spain multiple times and can speak some Spanish.

Annie, the finalist representing Greater China, is an intern with the tax team at Ernst & Young Tax Services Limited  in Hong Kong. She received a Bachelor of Business Administration (Law) and Bachelor of Laws from The University of Hong Kong in July 2022. She took part in international case competitions in Asia, North America and Europe strengthening her problem-solving and strategic thinking capabilities. She also competed in global mediation and arbitration moots, helping to polish her written and oral advocacy. She has practiced as a first responder with an ambulance brigade during her spare time. Annie has spent summer and winter breaks working in government sectors and conglomerates. Annie aspires to help clients understand the intricacies of tax and to support them in operating responsibly, sustainably and ethically. Her hobbies include music (Cantopop, Mandopop and R&B) as well as archery and hiking.

Chrysa, the finalist representing Greece, is a legal research intern with a law firm in Thessaloniki, Greece and an LL.B. candidate at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Her responsibilities include contributing to the preparation of jurisdictional cases concerning the whole spectrum of taxation, including income tax, VAT, the criminal aspect of tax evasion, and international taxation and European directives. She hopes to be a team leader and inspire younger coworkers to pursue a career in tax or auditing. Chrysa enjoys cooking and reading about food from all over the world. She also loves music and taking long walks by the sea listening to her favorite podcasts.

Eileen, based in Guatemala, is the finalist representing Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama. She is a lawyer at Ernst & Young, Sociedad Anonima. She received a bachelor's degree in Legal and Social Sciences, a master's degree in Public Management and Leadership and a master’s degree in International Law. Her previous work experience includes time at an international law firm in Madrid and in the public sector, working in the Constitutional Court of Guatemala. One of Eileen’s goals is to grow her knowledge and skillset while she is a part of the EY organization. Her hobbies include practicing yoga, running, hiking and traveling. She is fluent in Spanish, English, French and German.

Khushi is the finalist representing India. She expects to receive a bachelor’s in commerce in April 2024 from the Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics and a Chartered Accountancy in 2025. Khushi interns with the International Tax and Transaction Services team in the EY office in India. She conducts research on specific industries and topics like inbound merger and interest allowance. She doesn’t want to constrain herself to a particular job profile but wants to see how tax can surprise her. While at university, Khushi has also organized events and volunteered for an organization that promotes social causes. She loves board games and games that require logic such as Othello, Abalone, chess or Catan. She enjoys reading fiction or current affairs.

Azzallia is the finalist representing Indonesia. She received a degree in Economics from Universitas Padjadjaran in Bandung, Indonesia. Azzallia is working in the EY Global Compliance & Reporting team at Perserikatan Perdata Purwantono, Suherman, Surja Consult. She helps her team prepare monthly and annual company tax compliance reports such as calculating tax payable, analyzing transactions and reconciliation, and she does tax litigation (tax audit, objection and appeal). She hopes to be a tax consultant with a focus on litigation. Previously she was an intern at one of the Big Four. Azzallia loves swimming and traveling in her country and abroad. Her biggest accomplishment is hiking Morskie Oko in Zakopane, Poland, the highest mountain she has hiked.

Aviv is the finalist representing Israel. He is a senior associate with the Business Tax Services team at Kost Forer Gabbay & Kasierer. He received a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Management from Tel Aviv University in 2020. Before graduating, Aviv studied abroad in Vienna and volunteered for the University’s student association, as well as for a global nonprofit that was founded to protect human life and health. He looks forward to providing services to his clients, while increasing his tax knowledge and capabilities. Aviv enjoys traveling, spending time at the beach, and going to restaurants and parties. He also likes going to the gym, spinning and running.

Dimitri is the finalist representing Italy. He received a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and a master’s degree in Accounting Professions from the University of Turin. He hopes to be a chartered tax consultant or a statutory auditor and is interested in international tax law. Dimitri’s work experience includes auditing, verifying accounting and bookkeeping with a local accounting firm and with one of the Big Four. He also volunteers with three different organizations. Dimitri likes reading, watching TV, running, and playing football and tennis. He also enjoys traveling. He has visited London, Paris, Barcelona, Munich, Prague and Djerba (Tunisia). When he travels, he buys a small glass ball with a monument inside as a souvenir and he hopes to continue to add to his collection on future journeys.

Yazan, based in Jordan, is one of three finalists representing professionals from Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, the Palestinian Authority, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates. He was born and raised in the UK, and after graduating from the University of Nottingham, he moved to Jordan where he works with the Tax team at Ernst & Young Jordan. His responsibilities include providing business tax advisory and compliance services to clients in Jordan and Iraq across sectors including information technology, telecommunications, banking, construction, and oil and gas. Yazan aspires to be a well-experienced business tax advisor, focusing on helping global businesses. His hobbies include drums, squash, hiking, reading, chess, cooking and writing. 

Hamza, based in Kuwait, is one of three finalists representing professionals from Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, the Palestinian Authority, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates. Hamza graduated from Kuwait University with a degree in Accounting and is a tax associate with Ernst & Young (Al-Aiban, Al-Osaimi & Partners). He is passionate about international taxation, due diligence, compliance and the foreign client advisory work he does and hopes to be a guiding light for any graduate trying to get a sense of the professional world. Hamza has been interested in political theory for as long as he can remember, has traveled to six countries and speaks two languages. His favorite book is 1984 by George Orwell, which he says ignited his love for international affairs and relations. 

Marc, the finalist representing Luxembourg, is an assistant with the Transfer Pricing team at Ernst & Young Tax Advisory Services. He is involved in projects dealing with the valuation of intangibles and is part of the ESG workgroup, researching how tax can be linked to sustainable practices using financial instruments. He received an LLB from Maastricht University and will receive an LLM in International and European Tax Law in 2023. Marc would like to build a career that combines tax and sustainability, and is interested in how tax practices and legislation can be adapted to new technologies and (virtual) realities. Marc’s hobbies are reading, hiking and going to concerts. A few years ago, he hiked the West Highland Way in Scotland. This experience taught him how to be more organized, and that, at the end of the day, the most important thing is to enjoy the climb.

Vincent, representing Malaysia, hopes to graduate with a Bachelor of Commerce (Professional Accounting) from Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology in June 2023. He is also pursuing an Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) qualification. Throughout his studies, he has developed leadership and communication skills and he considers himself a student leader who emphasizes more on teamwork than personal achievements. Vincent previously interned at a Big Four firm in their Transfer Pricing department. In his spare time, he enjoys playing basketball, reading and watching movies. 

Martina, based in Malta, is the finalist representing Malta and Cyprus. She received a bachelor’s degree in Commerce in Accountancy and Banking & Finance and a master’s degree in Accountancy from the University of Malta. Martina works with Ernst & Young Limited as part of the Compliance & Reporting team. She is responsible for the preparation and submission of corporate income tax returns for local corporate clients. She is hoping to improve her technical skills and become more knowledgeable about domestic tax law and international taxation, in theory and in application. Outside of work, she enjoys going to the gym, jogging, hiking and swimming. Other hobbies include reading, traveling, playing piano and cooking.

Carolien is the finalist representing the Netherlands. She received a Master of Science in Fiscal Economics from Erasmus University Rotterdam in November 2022. She is a consultant with the Indirect Tax team with Ernst & Young Belastingadviseurs LLP in the Netherlands. She also volunteers her time for a charity in Rotterdam helping people with their income tax returns. Carolien is looking forward to gaining more experience within indirect tax, focusing on areas such as national VAT. Her previous work experience includes time at an international audit, tax and advisory firm. Carolien likes meeting with friends, playing board games, sailing and swimming. 

Gio is the finalist representing the Philippines. He is a law school student at Ateneo de Manila University, graduating in July 2023 and is studying for the Philippine Bar exam. Gio volunteers for the Student Council and Bar operations, and is actively involved in local and international moot court competitions. In the short term, he hopes to practice in a private firm and learn as much as possible from his mentors. In the long term, he sees himself working in public service and teaching. Gio is a fan of a popular superhero series and enjoys listening to music and watching TV.

Sebastian, the finalist representing Poland, is a part of the Tax Accounting and Risk Advisory Services team with EY Doradztwo Podatkowe Krupa sp. k.. He received a bachelor’s degree in Finance and Accounting from the University of Lodz and a master’s degree from Warsaw School of Economics. He works on tax review engagements for Polish subsidiaries of multinationals and tax due diligence reviews as part of transactional processes, and he supports assurance teams during audits. Before starting his career in tax, he worked as an intercompany accounting specialist. Sebastian’s main hobby is road cycling, but he also enjoys reading and cooking.

Bruna, based in Portugal, is the finalist representing Portugal, Angola and Mozambique. She has a law degree from Lisbon University and a master's degree in International and European Tax Law from Maastricht University. She is an International Tax and Transaction Services consultant with Ernst & Young S.A., helping clients understand the tax implications of transactions being pursued. Ultimately, her goal is to use her skills and experience to build a successful career. Dance is Bruna’s passion, and she is often at the local dance studio. She also enjoys karate, table tennis and handball. 

Antonin, from the Republic of Congo, is the finalist representing the Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea, Ivory Coast and Senegal. He graduated from the AFI-L'Université de l'Entreprise in Senegal in October 2020. Antonin joined FFA Juridique & Fiscale SA as a staff assistant and helps with the preparation of tax returns, assists in tax audit engagements and collaborates with the development of the tax team’s tax magazine. His previous experience includes working as an identification agent and as an inventory agent for different multinational communications companies. He looks forward to creating a team environment and client experience that is built on respect and hopes to be able to have a positive impact on society. Antonin enjoys playing football, jogging and reading. 

Zhou is the finalist representing Singapore. She is a final-year student in Accountancy at the National University of Singapore. After graduating in May 2023, she will join EY as an Indirect Tax Associate. She looks forward to helping clients from various industries deal with GST policy changes, and she hopes to become a reliable resource for both her clients and her team. Zhou enjoys jigsaw puzzles, baking, singing, photography, boxing and archery. She was born in China and moved to Singapore with her family when she was 13 years old. She is fluent in English and Chinese, and learned Japanese due to her interest in anime. Her dream is to have a Shiba Inu and a ginger cat.

Nacho is the finalist representing Spain. He received a master’s degree in International Tax Advisory from the Instituto Superior de Derecho y Economía (ISDE) in Madrid. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in business administration, he worked in an audit company and was a tennis instructor for the experience and to save for his master’s degree. Before joining EY, Nacho interned as a trainee in a law office focusing on tax law. His future aspirations include being able to make a difference in his country, and he hopes to be a teacher while working as a tax advisor. He enjoys cooking, tennis, football and is now playing a popular Spanish racket sport called Padel. Nacho attended a German school in Spain and is fluent in Spanish, English and German.   

Siriporn is the finalist representing Thailand. She is a consultant in the International Tax and Transaction Services team at EY Corporate Services Limited. She works on tax advisory services on domestic and cross-border transactions, corporate income tax compliance services, tax controversy services, and tax incentive feasibility study and implementation assistance on proposed investment projects. She received a bachelor’s degree in Accountancy from Chulalongkorn University in 2015. She previously worked as an assistant auditor and as cabin crew. Siriporn hopes to help maximize client satisfaction while also continuing to develop professionally. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, listening to music, watching Netflix and traveling. 

Luan, the finalist representing Vietnam, is a final year Business Administration student at the National Economics University in Hanoi. He is an intern with the Transfer Pricing team at EY Consulting Vietnam Joint Stock Company. He has been a member of the University’s book club, for which he organized a lot of events. One of the recent events, dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of reading, was a book swap. Although Luan has not traveled abroad much, he has friends all over the world from childhood, book communities, and online gaming. Luan enjoys reading and watching movies and has a particular appreciation of the arts.