Q&A with Alliott Group Deputy Worldwide Chairman, Jamie Towers
1. What do you love most about your job?
Helping a variety of people with many different issues. My days are so varied. I can be assisting an individual taxpayer, advising on GST and then also advising on a restructure of an international business in the same day.
2. What is one piece of advice that would you give to someone who was looking at starting out in your industry?
Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty – get as much experience from the ground up as possible. Even if you choose to specialise later in life, the broad understanding of business and taxation will help your understanding of clients and their needs.
3. What would you do if you weren’t in your current role?
I’ve always done accounting for my whole career. However, I love travel, so perhaps a travel writer (which probably wouldn’t pay as much)?
4. Name 3 people that you would invite to a dinner party (living or dead).
Nelson Mandela, Richard Branson and I should probably invite my wife, Laura.
5. What was your first job?
Kitchenhand at a local restaurant in the suburbs.
6. What motivates you?
I don’t like to disappoint people, so strive to do my best at whatever I do.
7. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
There’s no place like home – Brisbane, Australia. While I’m widely travelled – been to over 40 countries, it is good to come back home. However, if I could choose, I would probably live in a waterfront property at the beach – perhaps Byron Bay (Australia).
8. How do you start each morning?
Most mornings I’m out the door and exercising (usually running) before 6am – best way to clear the head and start the day energised.
9. What’s the best piece of advice that you’ve received?
Early in my career, I received 2 great pieces of advice. The first – never make a mistake on your own. If you are not sure of something, let someone know (before it affects a client). The second was to treat each task as if my manager was my client and I was responsible for ensuring that the job was at a high standard so the ‘client’ would be happy.
10. What is your favourite holiday destination and why?
Antarctica – I joined an expedition ship for my 40th birthday AND got married on the bridge of the ship by the ship’s captain. The scenery and wildlife are just amazing and unlike anything I’ve seen anywhere else in the world
11. Name one item that you can’t live without.
Coffee.
Jamie Towers was appointed Alliott Group's Deputy Worldwide Chairman in November 2017 and is also the Chairman of the Asia Pacific regional membership. Jamie is a key member of the association's International Tax Services Group and serves on the group's Leadership Team. Click here to read more Jamie or here to read more about Alliott Group.