Maria Benardis has over fifteen years experience in managerial positions across a range of industries, as well as legal and accounting professional service firms, and professional associations. These include Westpac Financial Services, KPMG, Mallesons Stephen Jaques, The Australian Institute of Company Directors, The Taxation Institute of Australia and The Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Maria has sat on various ATO, Industry and Government Committees to review and comment on tax legislation this includes the ATO's Tax Practitioner Forum, Bookkeepers Industry Advisory Group, National Tax Liaison Group - GST subcommittee, National Tax Liaison Group - Fringe Benefits Tax subcommittee, Accounting Working Group, Lodgement Working Party and Audit Compliance Working Group.
She was also the business affairs manager for the Music Managers Forum and she has coordinated and presented many tax and business management training seminars on including for Music NSW, The Australian Film Commission, The Taxation Institute of Australia and The Institute of Chartered Accountants.
She has also written many articles and business management related manuals for various publications and organizations including the Institute of Chartered Accountants and The Taxation Institute of Australia.
Maria has also appeared in many key publications and other media outlets to discuss taxation relation matters. Her views on such matters have often being sought after. These include Sky Business News, The Financial Review, The Sydney Morning Herald and Billboard Magazine.
Maria also holds a Diploma in Business (Accounting) and degrees in Bachelor of Business (UTS) and a Master of Taxation (UTS). She is also a Fellow of the Taxation Institute of Australia.