DFK MALTA - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director - Information Technology
- in 2020 As Director
Alex Farrugia joined DFK Malta in 2020 as Director of I.T. primarily providing tailor-made IT solutions and consultancy services to clients. He is also internally leading the firm's IT transformation.
Alex has twelve years of experience in various roles in the Software Development industry. He has developed Enterprise Software, both during his employment at Vodafone Malta as well as on a freelance basis, and has also been involved in the management of IT projects and Software Products in the Telecoms and iGaming industries, in collaboration with large groups of multi-disciplinary specialists.
Before joining DFK Malta, Alex spent five years working within one of the largest iGaming operators in the industry. Here he was entrusted to lead several key company projects and, during his last two years within the organisation, he led the team which was responsible for the strategy, vision and development of the CRM software products for all the brands within the Group. He spent the previous seven years working for one of the leading Telecom operators in Malta where he occupied various roles spanning across Software Development, Technical Analysis, Business Analysis, Portfolio Management, and Project Management.
Alex graduated as an I.T. professional in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in IT with a specialisation in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence from the University of Malta where his thesis employed machine learning techniques in the field of computational linguistics.
Alexandra Lia has been working for over 25 years in the Payroll and HR industry and has a vast experience in various sectors ranging from hospitality, language schools, care homes, manufacturing, and aviation. She has also worked as a Payroll and HR manager at a leading iGaming company for over 4 years.
In 2020 Alexandra joined DFK Malta as a Payroll Services Manager and is responsible in providing payroll and employment-related services to a varied portfolio of clients, including the computation of periodic payroll, monthly and yearly reports, application submissions to various authorities relating to employment and terminations and other human resources services. At DFK Malta, Alexandra also provides consultancy services related to her line of industry.
Besides the vast experience, Alexandra is also certified in HR and People Management.
Job Titles:
- Compliance Officer & MLRO
Job Titles:
- Corporate Services Manager
Antonia joined DFK Malta in 2003 after completing her studies in Business and Commercial Studies. She started off in the administration department and over the years she acquired vast knowledge through her hands-on experience with various clients.
Subsequently, Antonia moved to the Corporate Department and is now a senior corporate services officer. The corporate team services a diverse portfolio of local and international clients in accordance with regulatory procedures in Malta, mainly with respect to company formations, liquidations, dissolution of companies and mergers. She is also responsible for compiling and submitting mandatory annual filings and any structural changes which are requested by the end-client, with the Registrar of Companies Agency and Authorisation Unit. Antonia also assists in banking relating matters in relation to the setting up of new companies.
She also liaises with the relevant government authorities to assist clients in the completion of applications relating to obtaining residence and work permits.
Antonia is also involved in evidencing KYC information through varying levels of due diligence, including understanding the intended nature and scope of the business and identifying beneficial owners.
education
National Certificate in Business and Commercial Studies.
Benjamin joined DFK Malta in August 2014 as an Audit and Accounts Semi-Senior and throughout the years he has gained extensive experience in the Tax department namely in being responsible for the Direct Tax Compliance portfolio. Since 2018 he has been providing a wide range of tax advisory and compliance services to the firm's local and international clients.
Apart from tax, he is also well versed with residency programs, corporate support, and payroll matters. Prior to joining DFK Malta, Benjamin held the position of an Audit and Accounts Assistant within a small-tier firm.
Benjamin is passionate about anything that has to do with nature, adventure, arts, and creativity. He is also involved in a local Voluntary Organisation working with youths and children both locally and abroad.
Job Titles:
- Director - Accountancy & Advisory
Job Titles:
- Director - Tax & Corporate Advisory
Dr. David Farrugia joined DFK Malta's corporate and tax advisory entities (DFK Malta Tax & Consultancy Limited, DFK Malta Corporate Services Limited) in February 2014 and is principally involved in tax advice, corporate advisory and residence advisory services. David graduated as Doctor of Laws at the University of Malta in 2012 after submitting his thesis entitled "Double Taxation Relief under Maltese Law: A Comparative Study" and was admitted to the Maltese Bar at the beginning of 2013. David also completed the ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) Professional Qualification and is a member of the ACCA. He also graduated as Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) in Management, with Accountancy and Management as the main areas of specialisation.
Before joining the firm's advisory entities David was involved with a top tier law firm for more than three years (progressing from a trainee to associate) specializing in corporate advisory, corporate finance and tax advisory. Before this period David was previously employed with DFK Malta being mainly involved in audit engagements and tax advisory and compliance. David now assists clients by providing corporate and fiscal advice in various commercial transactions and restructuring exercises and also provides advice on the residence programs available under Maltese law. David is also involved in the corporate advisory and support services department.
education
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Professional Qualification (2013)
LL.D - Doctor of Laws - University of Malta (2012)
Diploma Notary Public - University of Malta (2010)
LL.B - Bachelor of Laws - University of Malta (2009)
Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) Management - University of Malta (2005)
Job Titles:
- Senior Consultant - Corporate and Legal Advisory
Dr. Jennifer Shaw is a qualified lawyer practicing in Malta. She graduated in 2012 with a Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) from the University of Malta and with a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Corporate and Commercial Law from the London School of Economics and Political Science. She was a Managing and Senior Associate at prominent law firms in Malta.
Jennifer has experience in advising on a wide range of corporate and commercial matters, banking and finance, and mergers and acquisitions. Her M&A experience extends to cross-border acquisitions in the banking sector. She has advised financial institutions on regulatory matters including the passporting of services and branches within the EU. Jennifer has also represented credit institutions in judicial review cases (including before the ECB's Administrative Board of Review). She has worked on a number of financing transactions, including real estate finance, and has extensive experience advising on construction contracts. Jennifer held the position of company secretary to a local bank as well as a company listed on the Malta Stock Exchange. She has advised a range of domestic and international clients on company, commercial, corporate governance and regulatory matters including in the financial services, hospitality and life sciences industries.
education
LL.M. - Masters in Corporate and Commercial Law - London School of Economics and Political Science (2017)
LL.D. - Doctor of Laws - University of Malta (2012)
Diploma Notary Public - University of Malta (2010)
LL.B. - Bachelor of Laws - University of Malta (2009)
Job Titles:
- Auditor
- Managing Director
- Fellow of Both the Malta Institute of Accountants
Emanuel Farrugia has been a practising auditor for the past 30 years. During his employment for 10 years with one of Malta's leading audit firms, his responsibilities included a number of large audits in particular in the banking and ship repair sectors. In addition to supervising various audits, he is also involved in the provision of Liquidation, taxation and other consultancy services.
Emanuel Farrugia is a fellow of both the Malta Institute of Accountants and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and a member of the Malta Institute of Taxation.
Maria joined DFK Malta's Audit team in November 2017 as an Audit Senior, after having worked with a Big Four audit firm locally as well as a UK200Group audit firm in England. Maria obtained a Bachelor of Commerce in Accountancy and Management at The University of Malta, after which she completed the Master in Accountancy course at the same university. Her dissertation, titled ‘The Wealth Management of Family Businesses and the Family Business Act' was awarded the best dissertation in law related to accountancy area. Maria went on to publish articles on the subject in The Accountant (published by the Malta Institute of Accountants) and law journal, Id-Dritt.
As part of the Audit team, Maria is responsible for a number of audit jobs of local and foreign SMEs across various sectors. Maria is also an associate member of the Malta Institute of Accountants and forms part of the Young Members Focus Group.
Mark achieved a bachelor's degree in Accountancy and Banking in 2019. He furthered his studies and is currently studying for a Master's degree in Accountancy at the University of Malta.
Mark joined DFK Malta in July 2020 as a Semi-Senior Accountant and he is responsible for the day-to-day accounting processes for various clients. Furthermore, he also assists in the preparation of management accounts as well as in the annual financial statements prepared in accordance with the relevant regulatory framework.
Job Titles:
- Senior Payroll Administrator
Michelle joined DFK Malta in January 2008 as a clerk, assisting the administration and the payroll department. Along these years she has acquired vast knowledge and experience within the payroll field working with both local and international clients. She obtained a Certificate in Payroll and Employment Administration in January 2017.
Michelle oversees delivery of the payroll services to a vast array of clients and is responsible for setting-up payrolls including registrations, applications and correspondence with all the respective departments. She also liaises and deals with clients' enquiries on tax, social security and other employment matters.
Michelle believes that on-going training is essential to keep up to date with the latest regulations. Believing in teamwork, she assists her team to conduct an accurate and effective service and ensuring that work objectives are managed in a timely manner and within the deadlines.
Job Titles:
- Director - Audit & Assurance
Job Titles:
- Senior Consultant - Media Advisory
Roberto Sammut joined DFK Malta in February 2012 as a trainee, and after working for a short while in the Accountancy & Consultancy sector at the firm he was managed a diverse portfolio of Audit engagements for both local and foreign clients in his position of Audit Manager. In 2020 he returned to the Accounts Department as a Senior Manager of the Accounts Department.
Roberto obtained his Bachelor of Commerce in Management and Accountancy from the University of Malta in 2011. After joining the firm Roberto started the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) qualification which he completed in June 2015 and is now a member of the Malta Institute of Accountants.