Ms Maria Cauchi Delia

CEO of the Malta Institute of Accountants

Maria Cauchi Delia is the Chief Executive Officer of the Malta Institute of Accountants, the sole professional accountancy body in Malta. In her role, she leads the institution in the fulfilment of its strategic objectives, in advising national and international institutions in matters concerning the profession and the wider financial industry and represents the MIA in its engagements with key stakeholders at both national and international level.

As a certified public accountant, Ms Cauchi Delia brings extensive expertise gained from her diverse experience in both the public and private sectors, having worked in various institutions in Malta and abroad. She holds a degree from the University of Malta and is a Fellow Member of the Malta Institute of Accountants.

Mr Mark Bugeja

President of the Malta Institute of Accountants

Mark Bugeja is the President of the Malta Institute of Accountants, which, along with the MIA council, sets the overall direction of the Institute and ensures that it continues to develop in line with its mission and values.

Mr Bugeja is currently the Managing Partner of Grant Thornton and has been practicing, mainly in the field of auditing, since he completed the B.A. (Hons) Accountancy course at the University of Malta in 1987. 

Mr Joseph Caruana

Commissioner for Tax and Customs at Malta Tax and Customs Administration

Mr Joseph Caruana began his career with the Public Service in 1977 as a clerk. He progressed through the ranks and was appointed as Acting Director (Examinations) in 1999 wherein he was responsible for the coordination of the Exams IT system and issuing of results through SMS messages. In 2004, as Information Management Officer he was responsible for leading the migration of the TV licences to the Wireless and Telegraphy Department.

In 2004, Mr Caruana was appointed Director Corporate Services within the Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs wherein he led the integration of the functions of the Corporate Services. From 2008 to 2013 he was the Head of the Maltese Paying Agency accountable to the EU for the disbursement of Direct Payments of Agricultural Funds and the Implementation of the Rural Development Programme. During this period, he also acted as Director General for Fisheries responsible for the effective management of the 25NM Fishing Management Zone.

From 2013 up to 2021 he served as Permanent Secretary within the Ministry for Education and Employment, the Ministry for Finance and Financial Services and the Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects respectively, wherein he brought about a number of reforms and was responsible for the implementation of various strategies, polices and projects.

Mr Caruana was appointed Commissioner for Tax and Customs on 1st February 2022 wherein he is implementing the digital transformation of the Malta Tax and Customs Administration. Mr Caruana was a regular basketball player with Rabat De Piro Club up to 1992.

Ms Louise Grima

Associate Director at KPMG

Louise Grima is an Associate Director at KPMG Malta. She joined KPMG in 2015 after graduating with a Master in Accountancy from the University of Malta and has since worked in direct and indirect tax compliance and advisory projects servicing clients in a number of industries including financial services, insurance, gambling and international trade. Louise was awarded the 2015 MIA Best Student of the Year prize for Master in Accountancy Group 2013/2015, holds a Diploma in VAT compliance.

Louise has also successfully completed the Advanced Diploma in International Taxation with an overall distinction. Louise is a member of the Malta Institute of Accountants (MIA) and is the Chairperson of the Indirect Tax Committee within MIA. Louise regularly delivers courses and seminars relating to VAT, is a visiting lecturer at the University of Malta and teaches ACCA at KPMG Learning Academy.

Mr Mirko Gulic

Senior Tax Manager (VAT) at PwC

Mirko is a senior manager at PwC and deputy chairperson of the indirect taxation committee of the MIA. Mirko has broad experience in indirect taxation and is involved in various tax advisory services relating to this area. Mirko lectures VAT both in Malta and abroad including in Dubai upon the implementation of VAT in the United Arab Emirates.

Mr Chris Borg

Leader Indirect Tax at Deloitte

Chris heads Deloitte Malta’s Indirect Tax service line, leading a team of dedicated professionals providing a wide range of indirect tax advisory and compliance services to the firm’s local and international clients. He is a Certified Public Accountant with extensive experience and deep expertise in indirect tax matters. His experience spans various industries, and he is also a lecturer and examiner in VAT and Tax.

Mr Saviour Bezzina

Senior Manager at EY

Saviour is the senior manager responsible for indirect tax matters at the EY Malta office and forms part of EY’s Global Indirect Tax Network as a local knowledge contact. He joined EY in July 2006 after obtaining the Bachelor of Accountancy (Hons.) from the University of Malta.

He is a member of the Malta Institute of Accountants, holds a Diploma in VAT compliance, lectures regularly on VAT and indirect tax matters and is a member of the MIA and MIT Indirect Taxation Committees. Saviour was awarded the 2007 MIA prize as the best student who graduated in the Bachelor of Accountancy (Hons) Degree Course Group 2004/2006.

Ms Brunella Bugeja

Indirect Tax Manager at Mazars

Brunella Bugeja is a manager within the tax team at Mazars Malta specialising in VAT, other indirect taxes and transfer pricing. She joined Mazars in 2011 as part of the accounting function and subsequently moved to the tax team. Brunella is currently involved in the provision of VAT advisory services and the overseeing of VAT compliance services provided to clients operating in various sectors such as educational, pharmaceutical, gambling and financial services sectors.

Brunella completed her ACCA studies in 2015. She also holds a diploma in VAT compliance. Brunella is a member of the Malta Institute of Accountants (MIA) and forms part of the Indirect Tax Committee within the MIA.

Mr Mario Carmelo Piancaldini

Head of Procedures Sector (Services Division) at the Revenue Agency, Italy

Graduated in Economics, qualified as accountant, specialized in European studies. 3 years in private companies, since 1997 employee of italian Revenue Agency: head of Audit Office at Central Assessment Directorate, since 2020 head of Procedures Sector at Services Division. Since 2011, coordinator of the Italian Forum on einvoicing, italian representative at the EU MultiStakeholders Forum on einvoicing and on working groups at EU institutions and at the OECD. Teacher and author of publications on topics of tax assessment, database management and risk analysis processes, einvoicing, electronic payments.

Mr Jaroslaw Olesniewicz

Chief Specialist at the Polish Ministry of Finance

In 1993, Mr Jaroslaw Olesniewicz started working at the tax office as a tax audit inspector. He has been working at the Ministry of Finance since 2003. He implemented the Audit File Tax Standard in Poland. Since 2019, he has been involved in the implementation of the National e-Invoice System in Poland.

Mr Kurt Rapinett

Member of the MIA Digital Committee and Manager (Analytics, Enterprise Technology & Performance) at Deloitte Malta

Kurt Rapinett is the Data & Analytics Lead within Deloitte Malta’s consulting practice, having over 8 years of experience with leading Management Consulting firms. He has a broad range of sector experience, advising both national and multinational clients, while presently assuming responsibility for delivery teams engaged in various strategy consulting, system design, and implementation projects. 

Mr Marc Rizzo

Member of the MIA Digital Committee and D&A Lead, Advisory at KPMG Digital Solutions

Marc is the Data & Analytics Lead at KPMG Malta. He has extensive experience handling and manipulating data in support of decision-making. With a focus on extracting value from data, he has a strong background in the use of analytics tools and techniques to generate insights.

Mr Kenneth Rizzo Naudi

Business Solutions Manager (Commercial Department) at Epic Communications Limited

Kenneth is a senior manager with Epic, in charge of Business Solutions. He brings 25+ years’ experience across a broad spectrum of managerial fields, in various industries operating locally and overseas, such as: Telco, IT, financial and corporate services & tech, yachting, automotive, retail, tourism, printing, FMCG and media. He holds a Master in Business Administration from Henley Business School (UK), a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons.) in Management and a Bachelor of Commerce in Banking & Finance from University of Malta.

Mr Conrad Aquilina

Director of Information Technology at Grant Thornton

Conrad is a seasoned strategic leader with over 15 years of experience in Cyber Security, Enterprise IT Governance, Risk and Compliance, Leadership, and Digital Transformation. He is a visionary who can translate evolving industry risks into ambitious technology road maps and robust security programs. Conrad holds a Masters Degree in Strategic Information Technology Management and has hands-on experience leading tech projects in various industries, including Retail, Property, Engineering, Local Government, Healthcare, Logistics, Marine, Oil&Gas, Hospitality, National Security, and Restaurant technologies.

Throughout his career, Conrad has made significant contributions in each of these industries such as, implementing innovative cybersecurity measures in Local Government, Technology companies, and National/EU Security.

He streamlined IT operations in Engineering and Logistics and spearheaded digital transformation in Retail, Restaurant, and Hospitality. Conrad's expertise was also recognized when he served as a Board Director for a diversified technology group which held one of the local, most prominent payment gateway companies. Prior to joining Grant Thornton, Conrad held multiple strategic positions, including Director of Group IT with a large multinational corporation that included household names such as Apple and McDonald’s.

Ms Angie Ann Camilleri

Lead Consultant (Data Analytics and Automation) at RSM

Angie Ann Camilleri is a Lead Consultant at RSM Malta responsible for technology consulting services including data analytics and automation. She focuses on transforming business processes and helping clients understand and value the power of data through various solutions, including business process re-engineering, process automation, target operating models, data strategies, and data analytics.

Angie has been at RSM Malta for the past 6 years, helping organisations understand how technology, data analytics and automation can support business processes and decision-making. She has a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Mathematics, and currently in the final stages of completing her Masters in Data Science for Business.

Mr Jake Azzopardi

Senior Manager (Digital Services) at PwC

Jake is currently a Senior Manager within the firm’s Advisory practice who helps to lead the Digital Consulting team. Jake specifically leads the firm’s Digital Strategy & Transformation and Data & Emerging Technologies practice areas. He has a wealth of experience in the strategy/ business case definition, analysis, design and implementation of several large complex digital transformation projects for organisations across both the private and public sector.

Dr Keith Cortis

Senior Manager (Digital Solutions) at KPMG Malta

Dr Keith Cortis is a Senior Manager within the Digital Solutions team at KPMG Malta. He is responsible for Public Sector, EU funded, Digital Taxation, and Artificial Intelligence projects and initiatives.

Keith is also an Artificial Intelligence subject matter expert at KPMG Malta. He has extensive experience in leading and handling AI and data-driven research, development, and innovation projects at both a European and national level spanning academia, the private sector, and the public sector on numerous fields including Taxation.

Keith was the national representative for Malta on numerous Taxation related project groups, workshops, and expert teams with DG TAXUD focusing on Advanced Analytics. He has also provided feedback on behalf of Malta’s standpoint and direction for EU policies such as the Data Act and has provided consultation services on strategies at a national level for the Government of Malta such as the Strategy and Vision for Artificial Intelligence in Malta 2030.

Mr Andrew Buhagiar

Director (Taxpayer Service) Office of the Commissioner, Malta Tax and Customs Administration

Andrew Buhagiar is presently the Director, Taxpayer Services within the Office of the Commissioner for Revenue. The Directorate’s main goals are the Operations of the Office of the CfR within various taxes and the link between the Office of the CfR and the various stakeholders.

He joined the then VAT Department in the year 2001 and worked in Operations, Business and Information Technology. He joined the Office of the CfR when the merger took place.

Mr Marvin Zammit

Taxation Project Manager, within the Programme Management Department at MITA

Marvin Zammit is the Taxation Project Manager within the Programme Management Department at MITA. He has over 20 years of IT experience in the taxation domain. Prior to this role, Marvin worked as a Software Developer and Consultant. He possesses broad knowledge in tax processes, including both direct and indirect taxes, and has successfully led the implementation of various national and international initiatives.

Mr Kenneth Cremona

Manager (Indirect Tax Advisory and Compliance) at RSM

Kenneth Cremona graduated with a Master in Accountancy from the University of Malta in 2015. Kenneth joined RSM Malta in 2016, initially working on Income Tax Compliance dealing with clients established in multiple industries including Gaming, Immovable Property, Investments, Pharmaceuticals and Retail. In 2019, he specialised in VAT advisory and was promoted to a Manager in 2022. Kenneth is also a CPA warrant holder and received the Professional Certificate in Taxation issued by the Malta Institute of Taxation in 2017.

Mr Nico Sciberras

Chief Tax Officer (Legal, Policy, Technical & International Relations) at the Malta Tax and Customs Administration

Nico Sciberras, an accountant by profession, is the Chief Tax Officer within the Malta Tax and Customs Administration heading the VAT Legal, Technical, Policy and International Relations Section. As part of his role, Nico is in charge of matters involving the drafting, interpretation and implementation of Maltese and EU VAT law, directing taxpayers, tax practitioners and other stakeholders on technical/legal queries, assisting central Government with policy decisions, as well as heading Malta's representation at EU level in technical EU fora dealing with VAT matters.

Mr Gordon Micallef

Partner (Consulting and Transformation) at RSM Malta

Gordon Micallef is a Partner responsible for Business and Technology Consulting services. He has over seventeen years experience in delivering IT assurance and technology consulting services. He directs a multi-discipline team delivering process improvement, risk management, and project management services across various industries and has extensive experience in helping organisations bridge the gap between business and IT, manage the change, and deliver digital transformation.

He was one of the founders of the ISACA Malta Chapter and served as President of the Chapter between 2007 and 2009. He also served on several committees and task forces for ISACA International including global chapter oversight, leadership conferences, and EuroCacs.

Gordon is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified in Enterprise Governance of IT (CGEIT), and Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC), and Prince2 Practitioner.