2022 AGM Director Nominees

MATT LEWIS - CAPABILITY WISE - ACT

Matt is the Founder of Capability Wise, an Australian-based Technology Management and Digital Transformation Consultancy.

Matt has been working closely with government agencies and software companies over the past 15 years to introduce secure digital capabilities to modernise business, citizen, staff, and customer experiences. He is a trusted thought leader, advisor, and practitioner in the domains of tax modernisation and business technology.

On the local front, as a former public servant, Matt was deeply involved in the design, delivery, and management of key platforms that DSPANZ members use to integrate with the ATO, including SBR/SBR2 (PLS, STP etc.), BDE and the requirements for the new DSG.

Additionally, Matt led industry consultation activities for key elements of the initial version of the ATO’s DSP Operational Framework, and API developments for the Fair Work Commission and former Department of Education and Training.

Matt’s experience is not limited to the Australian market, he is currently leading the design and planning of a tax modernisation program for an international government. Matt co- authored one of the key OECD whitepapers on the use of API technology to underpin the Tax Administration 3.0 vision and has been advising tax authorities to convert this vision into practical capabilities. Matt will also be a familiar face to those members engaged in eInvoicing, through his co-chairing of several key consultation forums on behalf of DSPANZ.

Matt was a contributor to the latest version of the OASIS Universal Business Language Standard, and author of committee guidance on its application within the modern payments’ ecosystem. Matt will apply his deep understanding of government processes, experience delivering major technology projects and expertise consulting to governments, DSPs, and major technology companies to further embed DSPANZ as the government’s go-to body for advice on business technology projects.

BELINDA STEWART - PAYPAC - WA

I am a highly motivated Business Engagement Manager with a passion for compliance and data security.

I am deeply involved in the scoping, project management, consultation, testing and implementation of solutions for each client’s specific circumstances on projects such as Superstream, STP Phase 1 & 2 and Jobkeeper to name a few.

I consult with business owners and managers across all sectors with employee sizes ranging from 1 - 10,000 to implement best practice Payroll, Time & Attendance, HR processes and solutions to streamline their processes whilst maintaining compliance.

In 2020, I was invited to sit on the DSPANZ Government Relations subcommittee and since November 2021, I was invited to be a Director of DSPANZ. During this time I have enjoyed working with likeminded Directors and Members to represent our industry. Highlights include Co-chairing the Securities subcommittee, hosting webinars and working towards a member survey to better understand the needs of our members.

I am keen to continue the work to date with DSPANZ for another term and I feel with my extensive experience and skillset across development, engagement, and payroll I would be perfectly positioned to make a positive impact.

ALLEN KNIGHT - TAXLAB - NZ

Allen is the CEO at Taxlab and his role is to engage with customers and the wider tax and accounting community, interpret their needs and design Taxlab's internal organisation to best meet those needs. Allen is based in Auckland New Zealand and has consulted with the New Zealand Inland Revenue on digital initiatives since 2008. Allen sees DSPANZ as a vital part of government digital initiatives and key to providing a strong voice from industry to ensure such initiatives are valuable to government, software providers and taxpayers. 

If elected, Allen wishes to contribute to the board by building on the solid start we have made in New Zealand and focus on growth of members through targeted membership pitches and diversifying the types of organisations beyond the current profile. In addition, he would like to continue to work with Inland Revenue on strengthening the depth of DSPANZ interaction and would target Deputy Commission and IR Policy participation on the NZ DAG within the next year.

PAUL ORFORD - READYTECH - NSW

I am solution focused with 20+ years in the Accounting and Payroll software industry across multiple vendors and a variety of roles. This provides me with broad experience across many areas of DSPANZ’s focus areas. 

As the Product Compliance Manager at ReadyTech I have dealt with clients ranging from Micro to Enterprise businesses, desktop & cloud, as well as managed service payrolls. I bring a load of understanding of the payroll market and have managed the roll out of STP2 across multiple products.

In recent years I served in the ATO’s Single Touch Payroll Parent Adjustment working group, the Single Touch Payroll Transition working groups, RegTech Award Compliance Strategic Working Group and have been an active participant in the DSPANZ STP2 meetings and Forum.

As an advocate for the payroll industry, I have appeared at the Australian Payroll Association annual conference to represent software providers. I also have experience in the ‘Accountant’ software market across AU & NZ, spending 10 years consulting to accountants in private practice on Tax Preparation (ELS, PLS & SBR), Practice Management and Client Accounting.

I have a deep experience in invoicing, cash processing and credit control from my time as a Finance Operations Manager in a listed corporate finance team.

Outside of work, I have been a board member & secretary of my local football club and have volunteered for 6 years with the local AFL umpire association as a goal umpire. Known for always asking why 5 times, I will ensure that we can get the best outcome for software developers and our clients. I am Ready to represent you. 

ERIN ADAMS - XERO - VIC

Erin is an accounting and technology professional who is passionate about community, collaboration and industry engagement. Erin is a proud member of CPA Australia and has been elected by her peers as an ACT Divisional Councillor and Deputy President. Erin is the founder of the Women’s Tech Network in Canberra and is passionate about growing diversity and inclusion in the Australian technology industry.

At Xero, Erin is tasked with “Making Tax Just Happen” for small business, and as Product Compliance Manager ANZ, has led Xero’s engagement with the ATO with respect to Single Touch Payroll Phase 2, Stapled Superannuation and the Modern Business Register Design Working Group.

Erin is a member of multiple advisory groups within the Australian Bureau of Statistics and has been the champion and advocate of software developers in the ABS Accounting Software Project Advisory Board. This year, the ABS has been working with DSPs to leverage existing public APIs to co-design a new reporting process for digitally connected small businesses.

Erin believes that DSPANZ has a central role to play in shaping the digital future of the Australian economy and promoting a robust, dynamic and inclusive Australian software industry.

CHRIS DENNEY - SUPERCHOICE - ACT

Initially appointed to the DSPANZ Board in 2020, I am now seeking a second term on the DSPANZ Board in 2022.

For those that do not know me, I have spent more than 25 years working across State and Commonwealth Governments and the private sector to deliver business and technology reforms, including SuperStream and STP.

Since 2016, I have been employed as Head of Government and Industry Engagement at SuperChoice Services with a primary focus on working with Government, DSPs and super funds to deliver technology solutions that that add value to our product offerings.

In my 2 years with the DSPANZ Board I have been Vice President, led the initial iteration of the DSPANZ Government Relations sub-committee and have been a DSPANZ representative on various forums including DSP Strategic Working Group, Single Touch Payroll, Modernising Business Registry and Consumer Data Rights.

After 2 disrupted COVID years, there is still much to be done to move DSPANZ forward. For the coming term, I would like to see DSPANZ focus on the following:

• Reconnecting DSPANZ members (e.g. capital city based member events)
• Building a DSPANZ financial base to deliver an enduring capability and better member services
• Broadening DSPANZ engagement across Government agencies
• Working with Treasury/ATO to model DSP costs associated with delivering Government initiatives through our software
• Engaging with Government to explore opportunities to off-set DSP costs involved in delivering Government initiatives