George Dakis
gdakis@nexiaasr.com.au

“Our Audit and Assurance services helps organisations to meet their goals and deliver shareholder value by providing complete solutions. We specialise in understanding business risk and how that risk can be effectively managed.”

His story
George joined the firm in September 2004 after gaining considerable experience in the Big 4 environment providing specialist audit and assurance services to large global listed and non-listed companies, not-for-profit organisations, privately held companies, government agencies and emerging businesses across a wide range of industries.

Whilst a specialised audit practitioner, George also has extensive experience in a number of differing assurance engagements including due diligence reviews, mergers and acquisitions, investigating accountants reports, process re-engineering and implementation, corporate advisory, IPOs, technical accounting guidance, internal audit and risk management.

George is also a Senior Facilitator & Examiner in the Institute of Chartered Accountant’s (“ICAA”) CA Program, was a key note speaker at the Annual Public Practitioners Conference on ‘Audit issues facing the public practitioner’ and presents the continuing professional education program “Audit Essentials – A Practical Approach” to his peers for the ICAA. George is a Registered Company Auditor, Registered Company Secretary and holds a Master of Accounting & Finance degree.

What qualifications do you have?
Bachelor of Business, Master of Accounting & Finance, Graduate Diploma in Corporate Governance

When did you join Nexia Alexander & Spencer / BKR Rosenbergs?
I joined Nexia in September 2004 and took responsibility for the direction and improvement of our audit services.

Why did you choose to work at Nexia Alexander & Spencer / BKR Rosenbergs?
Nexia has a strong reputation in the accounting profession and it was starting to build as a national and international practice. The challenge of being part of that was too exciting to refuse.

Why did you become an accountant?
Basically because I couldn't make it as an AFL footballer playing for the mighty blues. I longed for glory, picking up the ball in the backline and running through the centre and drilling a brilliant goal from the 50 meter line on the boundary, to take the blues to their 17th premiership. Ahhhhhh, what a dream........anyway, better get back to AASB 3: Business Combinations.

If you could have any one / any business in the world as a client who would it be and why?
The entrepreneur side of me would say an organisation such as BHP or Microsoft as the pure size of the organisation would be fascinating, intricate and mind boggling, particularly in relation to research and development and forging the next generation.
My philanthropic side would say an organisation such as World Vision purely for the goodness that it stands for and being a part of an organisation that can effect such change in the way we live our lives.

If you could have dinner with any one in the world, living or dead, who would it be and why?
If I had to choose between Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson, I guess I would pick Elvis, although it would be great to have them both over to dinner give that Michael was Elvis' son in law! The impact that Elvis had on my upbringing can never be put into words. Its amazing how music can invoke memories and emotions that transcends you through time.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
At the moment I am enjoying most of spare time with my gorgeous wife and kids who have an amazing way of keeping me grounded and amused. I just recently bought my daughter and son a set of children's golf clubs that we are using every Sunday down at the local driving range. Its called...planning for your future....who knows, maybe they might be the next Tiger Woods?

What AFL team do you barrack for?
We are the navy blues, we are the old dark navy blues..........go the blue boys! Yes we are suffering at the moment, but we do still have 16 premiership cups that we are going to hang our hats on for the next probably 5 years I would say. My children are starting to get involved in the football and we sometimes go to a match. My daughter turned around to me in round 22 last year when we received a spanking from the Kangaroos and said..."Dad, I love coming to the football with you, but why do Carlton always loose?".....to which I replied....."You better get used to it".