Practical training by accountants, for accountants

The Australasian CA Training Group (ACATG) was formed in 1965 when seven medium-size chartered accounting firms decided to pool their resources in order to provide quality audit training to the staff of their firms.  Today, we have expanded to over 40 member firms in Australia and New Zealand. We operate as a not-for-profit co-operative.

The ACATG works hard to provide the best training we can for our members. Our trainers, who are either Partners of member firms or experienced trainers in non-accounting skills, have significant experience in presenting training courses.

Our members are typically sizeable accounting firms in Australia and New Zealand, and all of them require regular training based on well-proven methodology and content.

Being part of ACATG gives you access to a wide group of trainers who are true specialists in their own area – and who are used to running training courses in their own organisations. An extended network of external trainers means we can also cover additional specialist topics, such as leadership and teamwork.

Your own organisation could go it alone, but the ACATG training approach and content is broader. We cover things you could be doing better – sharing collective wisdom with you. Typically, our training works out to be less expensive than the alternatives.

Proven Methods

All training is face-to-face, practical and hands-on. During more than 50 years, we have found residential-style training courses are best in terms of personal development and learning outcomes. None of our training is offered online. Participants also gain valuable networking opportunities, and mix with peers from other firms across
Australia and New Zealand.

Executive Committee

Shaun Madders

Chairperson Spry Roughley Services Pty Limited (Sydney)

Shaun is a Client Service Partner at Spry Roughley, having joined Spry Roughley in 1990 as a graduate accountant and has been a Partner since 2003.

Shaun has extensive experience in providing guidance and solutions to significant small and medium sized businesses and professional practices, integrating broad commercial knowledge with a deep understanding of his clients and their businesses to give tailored advice that is responsive, relevant and reliable. His expertise covers accounting, audit, financial reporting, taxation consulting and business advisory.
Shaun is a Chartered Accountant and is also a Registered Company Auditor, SMSF Auditor, Registered Tax Agent and Fellow of The Tax Institute.

Shaun has a keen interest in working with families in business. He understands the special issues that families working together face and he advises on many facets of family business including the transfer of management & ownership to the next generation. He is a Specialist Accredited Family Business Adviser with Family Business Australia.

Erin Tanyag

Deputy Chairperson, Nexia Australia (Sydney)

Erin has over 15 years of experience working with clients across several industries in Nexia Sydney’s Audit & Assurance division. Erin has been a key female leader of our Audit Team at Nexia Sydney for over a decade, during which time she has and continues to successfully deliver services to both long-term and new clients.

Erin has furthered her experience by working in the United Kingdom with our Nexia affiliates. Her extensive experience has allowed her to develop expertise in the private sector, government sector, education, agriculture, viticulture, financial services, retail and the not-for-profit industries.

Throughout her career, Erin has developed outstanding project management and communication skills which allows her to provide tailored advice to suit the individual needs of her clients. Her expertise extends across providing external audit and assurance services, financial reporting, due diligence and audit ready.

Erin is known by her clients to be highly knowledgeable, and delivers targeted audit plans with practical and dynamic solutions. She takes a proactive approach and invests time to understand her clients’ business, their environment and their goals to ensure a seamless audit process.

As a Leader, Erin is extremely caring and takes a genuine interest in her staff’s development and their careers to help them become the best young professional they can be. Erin is always

Aidan Smith

Secretary / Treasurer HLB Mann Judd (Sydney)

With over 30 years' experience in the industry, Aidan Smith is currently a Partner in the Assurance and Advisory Division at HLB Mann Judd in Sydney and serves as head of the Not for Profits sector for the HLB Mann Judd Australasian Association.

Aidan has extensive audit experience in a wide range of businesses, and specialises in providing audit, accounting and advisory services to not-for-profit entities. Aidan is sought after for his knowledge of Accounting and Auditing Standards, has provided advice on Accounting Standards to many of his clients, and presents regularly on technical issues. A results-based practitioner recognised throughout the industry for his knowledge and expertise, Aidan is widely regarded for his technical strengths, personal approach and ability to add value to his clients while assisting them in meeting their compliance needs.

Aidan has been the Secretary of the ACATG since 2019 and has been a facilitator of the Audit 1 course since 2015.

Sam Facy

Co-ordinator of Business Services CoursesAccru Harris Orchard (Adelaide)

Sam began working as an accountant in 1994, and prior to joining Accru Harris Orchard, he spent eight years at a mid-tier accounting firm and three years at a smaller boutique firm. He became a partner of Accru Harris Orchard in 2007.

Sam provides advice to a variety of clients in all areas of tax and business services, but he specialises in tax minimisation, superannuation and structuring advice. He holds a Bachelor of Accounting from the University of South Australia and is a Member of the Taxation Institute of Australia and the Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand.

Sachin Patel

Executive Committee Member, Baker Tilly Staples Rodway (Auckland, New Zealand)

Sachin Patel is an experienced audit and assurance professional with a career spanning over 15 years. He joined Baker Tilly Staples Rodway Auckland as a graduate and now leads the Audit and Assurance team as Head of Audit and Assurance. In this role, Sachin oversees the firm’s Audit and Assurance practice with a strong focus on audit quality, independence, and innovation.

A recognised leader within the Baker Tilly International network, Sachin helps shape the network’s approach to audit and assurance standards, drives regional initiatives, and ensures the delivery of exceptional audit quality through his roles on the Audit Methodology Steering Group, the Professional Standards Committee, and the Asia-Pacific Audit and Assurance Committee.

Sachin is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), holding a Certificate of Public Practice and Qualified Auditor status. He also holds Licensed Auditor status, enabling him to oversee and deliver audit and assurance engagements for listed and FMC reporting entities operating under New Zealand’s Financial Markets Conduct Act.

He manages a diverse portfolio of clients, including listed and non-listed entities, privately held businesses, and not-for-profit organisations. His international experience, gained through secondments with Baker Tilly International affiliate Pitcher Partners in Australia, enhances his ability to deliver high-quality, tailored audit and assurance services that address clients' specific needs.

Sachin is at the forefront of integrating advanced IT tools and generative AI technologies at Baker Tilly Staples Rodway New Zealand, reinforcing the firm’s commitment to innovation and operational excellence in audit and assurance.

In addition to his audit and assurance responsibilities, Sachin provides financial reporting and accounting consulting services to non-audit clients, applying his expertise to address complex technical challenges and deliver practical, pragmatic solutions.

Known for his collaborative approach, technical proficiency, and dedication to delivering value, Sachin actively supports Baker Tilly Staples Rodway’s growth and its mission to provide outstanding services while upholding the highest professional standards.

Greg Winnett

Executive Committee Member Accru Melbourne

Greg Winnett joined Accru Melbourne in 1986 as an undergraduate and became a partner in 1998. Now with over 30 years’ experience working with in the industry, Greg leads the company’s audit team and works with public and private companies based in Australia and overseas, large proprietary companies, incorporated associations, trusts and other reporting entities. He also serves as Chair of Accru’s National Executive group.

Greg has specialist knowledge of the not-for-profit sector, having worked with a substantial number of Government and stakeholder funded organisations particularly in health and welfare, aged care, education, community housing and sport. He holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting), Accounting and Finance from Monash University and is a Registered Company Auditor, Registered Tax Agent and a Member of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

Greg is a former Chairman of the ACATG.

Norman Neill

Executive Committee Member HLB Mann Judd (Perth)

Norman joined HLB Mann Judd as a graduate in 1992 and is a partner in the Corporate Advisory and Audit Services division.

Norman specialises in audit services, management advisory services, prospectus preparation, investigating accountant’s reports for IPOs, expert reports, financial reporting and governance matters.

With over 25 years’ experience in the accounting profession, Norman works closely with his clients to offer practical solutions, strategic advice, and acts as a useful sounding board.

Norman is a proper authority holder of HLB Mann Judd Corporate (WA) Pty Ltd, the firm’s AFS licensed investment advisory arm which prepares independent expert’s reports for mergers, takeovers and capital raisings.

Norman also regularly contributes articles to numerous HLB Mann Judd and industry publications, and business-related social media outlets on various business, leadership and management topics.

Norman was the firm's Managing Partner between 2014 - 2020.