Experienced hands-on accounting team
Meet your friendly AMG team. At AMG, you’ll always enjoy tailored advice, one point of contact and direct access to a partner who specialises in the area you need. We thrive on developing our knowledge and expertise to the highest level, staying up to date with the latest rules, regulations and changes and solving our clients’ biggest financial and accounting puzzles. Read on to learn more about your team’s qualifications, experience and specialties.
James McGaw
BCom MCom CA, Partner
James joined AMG in 2012 for a brief period. Following a five-year stint as Managing Partner at one of the fastest growing firms in Brisbane, James returned to AMG as a Partner via a merge with his existing practice. James knew the opportunity to reunite with the wonderful team at AMG and incorporate the processes and experience of this mature practice was a fantastic next chapter for him and his clients.
James started out in a large second-tier firm. He quickly rose to the position of senior manager. James then formed a practice, together with Ryan Grebert and within five years they had established a boutique city-based practice with a very strong clientele across all industries.
James combines real-world business proficiency with innovative thinking to deliver premium accounting solutions for his clients. He enjoys being integral to the growth and development of all business clients by providing appropriate advice tailored to specific accounting and business needs and strategic guidance for growth and wealth creation.
James is an avid golfer. So, when he’s out of the office, you’ll likely find him teeing off on the nearest golf course. When he’s not working on his swing, James likes spending quality time with his wife, young children, family and friends.
Qualifications and memberships
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Master of Commerce
- Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, holding an Institute issued current Certificate of Public Practice
- Registered Tax Agent and Registered SMSF Auditor
James specialises in:
- Business and taxation advice to a diverse range of clients across multiple industries including health, retail, manufacturing, property development and professional services
- High net wealth individuals
- Privately-owned companies
- Self-Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSF)
Shari Sutton
BBus LLB CA, Partner
Shari joined AMG Accountants & Advisors in 2011 after working at a local suburban firm while she completed two QUT university degrees. Shari was offered the chance to become an equity partner of AMG in 2017 after returning from maternity leave. She jumped at the chance without hesitation, because she loves her role at AMG.
Prior to AMG, in her final subject for her professional qualifications, Shari received the awards for ‘candidate of the module’ for both Queensland and Australia. She’s worked in the accountancy industry for 20 years and has been qualified as a Chartered Accountant (CA) with CA Australia and New Zealand since 2012.
Shari enjoys the diversity of her role at AMG. No day is the same, allowing her to use problem-solving and innovative strategies to provide expert advice and a personalised, reliable service. Shari enjoys making AMG clients happy, whether it be by solving their issues or being proactive or making recommendations they haven’t thought of yet.
When Shari is out of the office you will find her dancing and spending time with friends and her family; husband Theo, son Fynn, daughter Kyla and chocolate Labrador Ned. She is also a Brisbane Broncos supporter at heart, having supported them professionally in her younger years.
Qualifications and Memberships
- Bachelor of Business (Accountancy)
- Bachelor of Laws
- Diploma of Financial Planning
- Member of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand, holding an Institute issued current Certificate of Public Practice
- Registered Tax Agent
- SMSF Auditor
Shari specialises in:
- Taxation law
- Health care professionals
- The building and construction industry
- Personal services income
- Superannuation
- Management accounting and reporting
- Xero
Matthew Kuhn
BCom CA, Partner
Matthew joined AMG in 2000 as he wanted to gain the experience throughout all facets of the accounting industry. He knew the challenge of working for a smaller organisation would provide him with the depth of knowledge required to satisfy needs of clients throughout a wide variety of industries. Matthew was appointed a Partner of AMG during 2009 after demonstrating his strong work ethic and technical ability.
Prior to AMG, Matthew worked for a medium-sized Bayside practice. Over the course of the past 20 years Matthew has seen various changes within the accounting industry and has been instrumental in ensuring AMG remains at the forefront of the industry by utilising the best resources available to the accounting profession.
Matthew is passionate about assisting clients with strategies regarding the transfer of wealth to the next generation and assisting clients to withdraw from their business by devising and implementing an effective succession plan suitable to their needs. Overall, Matthew derives his greatest pleasure in assisting clients to grow their wealth and to achieve their goals.
In his spare time, Matthew enjoys spending time with his wife and two boys, together with friends and extended family. He has recently joined Triathlon Australia and is training hard to improve his fitness in preparation for his first half-Ironman race during September 2020.
Qualifications and Memberships
- Bachelor of Commerce (Professional Accounting)
- Graduate Diploma (CA Program)
- Member of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (ICAA)
- Certificate of Public Practice issued by ICAA
- Registered Tax Agent
- Registered SMSF Auditor
- Diploma of Financial Planning
Matthew specialises in:
- Health and medical practices
- Professional services
- Manufacturing industries
- Real estate services
- Retail industry
- Small-medium business clientele
- Self-managed superannuation
Tony Giles
BBus CA , Founder and Partner
Tony Giles founded AMG in 1989, electing to commence practice as a sole trader due to his belief that small to medium sized businesses were not provided with a satisfactory level of personal service from advisors to ensure their financial and business goals were achieved.
Tony learned his trade with a number of “Big 8” accounting firms. His background, prior to the establishment AMG, included four accountancy roles within national practices and private enterprises, giving him over 35 years of extensive experience and wisdom to deliver the right strategies to suit every client at every business stage.
Tony’s main ambition is to ensure the fundamental foundations of the practice are well resourced, in terms of staff quality and client base, to allow for continued growth for decades to come. He enjoys guiding the team and clients toward positive, successful outcomes.
When Tony is out of the office you will find him enjoying horse racing, playing golf, running marathons and watching AFL. Tony is the president of the Blues supporters club of Queensland – so there is no guessing which team has his undying support!
Qualifications and Memberships
- BBus CA
- Member of Institute of Chartered Accountants, Australian Institute of Management, and The Taxation Institute of Australia
Tony specialises in:
- All areas of financial management
- Business structuring
- Valuations
- Wealth creation
- Succession planning
