Articles by: Stephen Burns
Stephen Burns is a seasoned entrepreneur and company director with over 20 years of experience helping businesses grow, scale, and navigate complex financial and operational challenges across Australia, the US, and Asia. Today, he leads organisations that support thousands of clients while operating in highly regulated, fast-moving environments, including ASX- and NASDAQ-listed markets, with a professional background that spans executive leadership, company directorships, and global operations.
He is the Founder and Managing Director of Accountants Direct, a public accounting firm serving more than 8,000 clients worldwide, supporting business owners with practical, scalable accounting and advisory solutions. Stephen is also a Co-Founder and Non-Executive Director of Payou, a payments technology business built on Australia’s New Payments Platform (NPP), as well as a Co-Founder of Cyclion Energy, a cleantech venture focused on converting plastic and organic waste into fuel or electricity. His leadership and business involvement are also recognised across global founder and startup ecosystems, including F6S, and through industry collaborations such as Accountants Direct’s partnership with Annature to streamline e-signing for corporate and personal tax returns.
Earlier in his career, Stephen was Chief Operating Officer of OzEmail Ltd, where he led a team of over 200 staff across Australia and worked closely with its parent company, MCI WorldCom, across the US and Asia. He also served as a Founding Director of the Gold Coast Titans NRL bid team, playing a key role in securing the club’s National Rugby League licence.
Stephen is an active angel investor and advisor with a particular interest in cleantech and fintech. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from Griffith University, an MBA from the University of Technology Sydney, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He is also a member of the Institute of Public Accountants, with his professional footprint additionally reflected across recognised business intelligence and directory platforms.
Australian Tax Guide For Theme Park Operators
Maximising Theme Park Operator Tax Deductions for Casual Staff As a theme park operator, understanding allowable deductions can significantly improve your end-of-year outcome. Workers such as ride operators and attendants can claim eligible costs like uniforms, protective gear, and work-related travel between sites. Keeping records throughout the year ensures compliance and maximises refunds while aligning…
Textile Machinists Tax Deductions in Australia
Textile Machinist Tax Deductions for Record Keeping and Audit Readiness Textile machinist tax deductions become easier to manage when workers maintain organised records of receipts, logbooks, and employment-related purchases throughout the year. Proper documentation supports accurate claims and reduces issues during tax review or audits in Australia. Employees in the garment sector should regularly track…
Tax Deductions for Wildlife Rehabilitators in Australia
Wildlife Rehabilitator Tax Deductions: Record Keeping for Claim Accuracy Accurate record keeping is essential when claiming wildlife rehabilitator tax deductions in Australia. Maintaining receipts for wildlife rescue work expenses such as feed, protective gear, and transport ensures compliance with ATO rules. Proper documentation also supports your animal rehabilitation tax return and helps maximise eligible claims.…
Australian Tax Guide For Wine Cellar Hands
Wine Cellar Hand Tax Deductions Covering Winery Work Expenses Winery worker tax deductions cover a wide range of eligible costs for employees in vineyards and production facilities. These may include safety equipment, training courses, and transport required for work duties. A complete wine production tax return ensures no deductible expense is missed. Understanding tax deductions…
3D Printing Technicians Tax Deductions in Australia
Claiming 3D Printing Technician Work Expenses for Accurate Tax Outcomes Proper identification of 3d printing technician work expenses is crucial when preparing financial records for tax time in Australia. Many professionals miss out on valid 3d printing technician tax deductions related to maintenance, design software, and printing materials. Accurate tracking improves your 3d printing technician…
Tax Deductions for 3D Modelling & Digital Art Professionals in Australia
ATO 3D Modelling Tax Deductions for Home Office Expenses Understanding 3d modeller tax deductions is essential for freelancers managing work-from-home setups and digital production costs. A complete 3d modeller tax return should include home office expenses, software tools, and internet usage linked directly to income generation. Proper documentation ensures compliance while improving accuracy of your…