About Jane
The Person Behind the Architecture
Twenty years of building, leading, and designing —from New Zealand to San Diego.
Jane Watkins is not defined by the firms she has worked at or the credentials she holds.
She is defined by what she builds — and how she thinks.
The Full Story
Built from Experience, Driven by Principle
Jane’s path into accounting didn’t begin with a single discipline.
Raised and educated in New Zealand, she trained as both an accountant and a lawyer — developing a dual perspective that continues to shape how she approaches complexity today.
Early in her career, Jane moved into public accounting, where she built a foundation in technical rigor and client service. At Ernst & Young, she stepped into leadership within the Tax Finance Operate group, overseeing global compliance delivery and leading large, distributed teams across jurisdictions.
But it was her move into industry that reshaped her perspective.
As Director of Tax at Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Jane was responsible for building and leading the tax function within a high-growth, highly regulated organization. The role demanded more than technical execution — it required structure, foresight, and the ability to design systems that could support scale.
That experience became a turning point.
It shifted her focus from completing work to designing how work operates.
Today, Jane leads two firms – TTS Advisory and Koru Accountancy — each serving different clients, but built on the same principle:
That better structure leads to better outcomes.
Based in San Diego since 2001, Jane continues to build, advise, and contribute to the profession, while raising her family and staying closely connected to the accounting community.
“I didn’t set out to build two firms.
I set out to do better work.The firms are simply what that looks like in practice.“
Credentials & Qualifications
The Foundation Beneath the Work
Jane holds one of the profession’s most rigorous cross-disciplinary foundations – combining accounting, tax, and legal expertise across both US and international frameworks.
This depth is not just academic — it informs how she approaches structure, risk, and long-term decision-making in practice.
CPA (California)
Certified Public Accountant licensed in California, with a foundation built in Big 4 and in-house leadership environments.
CA (CAANZ)
Chartered Accountant through Australia & New Zealand — a globally respected qualification in accounting and financial reporting.
Barrister & Solicitor (NZ)
Qualified legal professional in New Zealand, bringing a structural and legal lens to complex tax and compliance matters.
MST — Golden Gate University
Master of Science in Taxation, strengthening Jane’s US technical expertise after relocating to California.
BCom & LLB — University of Canterbury
Undergraduate degrees in Commerce and Law — forming the foundation of her dual-discipline thinking.
AICPA Member
Active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, connected to evolving standards and the broader profession.
Career Path
A Career That Runs Both Ways
Jane’s experience spans both sides of the table — advising from within firms and leading from inside organizations.
This dual perspective is what allows her to move seamlessly between strategy and execution.
Career
Big 4 Leadership
Senior leadership role within the West Area Tax Finance Operate group — leading global compliance delivery, client strategy, and cross-border team execution.
In-House Public & Private Leadership
Director of Tax — responsible for building and leading the global tax function within a high-growth life sciences organization navigating complexity and expansion.
TTS Advisory
Owner & CEO — leading a boutique firm focused on simplifying tax, bookkeeping, and payroll for individuals and small businesses.
Koru Accountancy Corp
Founder — providing structured, executive-level tax advisory for growth-stage companies operating in complex environments.
Industry Collaboration
Industry collaboration focused on building modern accounting firms with clarity, structure, and intentional design.
Industry Panels & Speaking
Active contributor and speaker within national accounting forums — engaging peers on the future of the profession.