About Us
About Us
Since 1883
Whitson Dawson is one of Mackay’s largest and longest serving accounting practices. We specialise in small to medium business services, including:
- Consulting
- Taxation
- Accountancy
- Audits & assurance
- Self-managed super funds
- Estate planning
- Capital gains
- Tax planning
The foundation to our success arises from continually striving to build strong relationships with our clients. Our firm is built on our core values of honesty, accountability, integrity, empathy, and diligence.
Network
CPA
Tax Practitioners Board Registered – Tax Agent 24799002
SMSF Advisers Network
Network & Business Collaborations
- CPA
- Tax Practitioners Board Registered – Tax Agent 24799002
- Mackay Region Chamber of Commerce
- CCIQ
- Xero
- MYOB
- Reckon
- Agdata Australia
- Intuit Quickbooks
- Employsure
- QSL
- Canegrowers Mackay
- QBCC Queensland Building and Construction Commission
- COAL LSL
- Queensland Government
Meet The Directors
Andrew Whitson (B. Com, FCPA)
Andrew holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree, specialising in Taxation. He is a Fellow of CPA Australia (FCPA) and an Authorised Representative of SMSF Advisers Network, AFSL No. 430062. In 2000, he worked with Neil Whitson to expand and prepare the firm for the introduction of the GST, working closely with individual clients from a wide range of industries such as primary production, construction, mining, and retail.
David Whitson (B. Com, FCPA, CTA)
David completed his Commerce Degree at University of Queensland in 2000. He is a Tax Institute member and Chartered Tax Advisor. David obtained his qualified CPA status in 2004, achieving three distinctions and two high distinctions in Taxation and Strategic Management Accounting. He has set about building his own client base across several different industries including the sugar industry, mining services, grazing, hospitality, tourism, construction, and retail.
Neil Whitson (B. Com, FCPA)
Neil purchased the practice from the Estate of Colin Whitson and continued in the practice in his own right under the name “WG Hodges & Co”. In the late 1960s, Neil acquired the practice owned by Henry Macklin, also acquired the practice of Alexander (Alex) Dawson in 1973. The firm then began trading as Whitson Dawson & Co. Over the years, Neil has built up the practice by giving proactive advice to members of the cattle and sugar community.
Meet the Management Team
Vanessa Erasmus
Vanessa is a highly motivated person with extensive experience in Management, Administration, Human Resources, Customer Service, and Bookkeeping. She has gained her experience from a variety of business sectors, including commercial development, banking, engineering, mining, and accounting. Vanessa’s focus is on the strategic development of the business including employee progression. She is a Commissioner for Declarations as well as an accredited Mental Health First Aider.
Rino Sacchetti
Rino has a Bachelor of Business Degree and is a member of CPA Australia. He joined the practice in 2003 and has 30 years’ experience in both taxation and the commercial sector. He has a diverse portfolio of clients including primary production, retail industry, building and construction, transport services, and medical practitioners.
Catherine Harris
Catherine completed her Bachelor of Business Degree through CQU Rockhampton in 1994. She worked as a commercial accountant prior to commencing her employment with Whitson Dawson in 2001. Catherine is a qualified CPA specialising in Superannuation and is an Authorised Representative of SMSF Advisers Network, AFSL No. 430062.
Chris Breckell
Chris completed a Bachelor of Commerce Degree through James Cook University in 1990 and has been CPA-qualified since 2010. Chris is experienced in Individual, Partnership, Company, and Trust accounting for a variety of industries, as well as audits.
Barbara Volker
Ian Fanning
Ian completed a Bachelor of Commerce Degree through James Cook University in 1988 and gained his CPA qualification in 2012, achieving a high distinction in Taxation. He has been with Whitson Dawson since 2005 and has a diverse range of skills and experience in taxation, audits, superannuation, SMSF audits, and accounting.