"Masoud’s Journey — From "EY" to "Xigma"
Masoud is a registered tax agent, business advisor, and educator with over 20 years of experience spanning corporate finance, nonprofit support, and public accounting. As the founder of Xigma Accountants, he brings a rare blend of technical expertise, lived experience, and personal dedication to every client relationship.
After completing his Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Masoud began his career at Ernst & Young (EY), one of the world’s top professional services firms. He was fortunate to start his traineeship in June 1999, working with Byte accounting software under the DOS operating system, where he also learned how to use early Excel spreadsheets — experiences that laid the foundation for his interest in accounting systems and automation. While working full-time, he pursued his professional accounting studies with ACCA UK, deepening his expertise in audit, reporting, and financial systems. Over the following years, he held senior roles across the Middle East and North Africa, including at British American Tobacco (BAT) and John Crane (Smiths Group), where he led major ERP transformation initiatives and financial system overhauls in complex, multilingual business environments.
In 2009, Masoud migrated to Australia as a skilled professional and began working with Centrelink and nonprofit agencies as a financial counsellor, helping over 4,000 families gain clarity and relief. During this period, he transitioned from ACCA to CPA Australia, completed a Diploma in Financial Counselling (TAFE SA, 2012), and aligned his career with community impact.
In 2015, Masoud launched his own public practice — Xigma Accountants — a firm built on strategic clarity, plain-language advice, and a people-first philosophy. Today, he is a Fellow of the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) and continues to lead with deep tax knowledge, ethical commitment, and real-world understanding.
Beyond the Numbers
Outside the office, Masoud is a former national sprint champion in Iran, and now an enthusiastic soccer coach and volunteer referee for his son’s junior club. He draws daily inspiration from nature, poetry, and philosophy — especially Persian and Roman classics — and enjoys organic cooking and mastering the art of traditional barbecues.
My goal is simple: empower clients with strategy, not just compliance. It starts with listening — and ends with clarity and peace of mind.
Professional
Certifications:
- Registered Tax Agent – TPB, Australia
- Certified Trainer & Assessor (TAE40116)
- Certified Advisor – Xero, QuickBooks, MYOB
- SAP & SAGE ERP Implementation Lead
- Public Practice License (Since 2014)
Academic
Qualifications:
- BA in Economics
- Diploma in Financial Counselling – TAFE SA (2012)
- ACCA UK (Professional Program)
- CPA Australia Pathway Completion
Professional
Memberships:
- Fellow Member – Institute of Public Accountants (IPA)
- Fellow Member – NTAA PLUS
- Contributor – SBS Persian Radio
- Lecturer – Housing Industry Association (HIA)
Key
Strengths:
- Business model design & financial forecasting
- Tax structuring for individuals & SMEs
- Cloud accounting setup (Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks)
- ERP systems (SAP, SAGE) and automation workflows
- Client dashboard design for live reporting
- Budgeting, cash flow coaching, and risk analysis
- Tax & Financial education programs for workplace, migrants & NFP sectors
Professional Skills
Masoud’s professional strengths lie in combining strategic financial insight with real-world execution. He is skilled in business advisory, tax structuring, system implementation, and client-focused communication — making him an advisor trusted by both individuals and organisations.
Strategic
Thinking
Big-picture planning, structuring, and future-focused decisions
System
Implementation
Streamlining finance with digital tools, automation & ERP design