Matthew Farrugia

Matthew Farrugia is a chartered accountant and Client Accounting Team Leader who assists yacht owners on the indirect-tax aspects of yacht acquisition, operations, and chartering. With a background that blends client accounting and financial analysis, he focuses on delivering clear, commercially focused VAT solutions across the yachting lifecycle. Drawing on his experience with payroll operations, he is well-versed in crew payroll matters and can coordinate the setup and operations of these services when necessary.

At CSB Group, Matthew serves as a Client Accounting Team Leader and works closely with the Maritime & Commercial Law team to provide end-to-end support. His portfolio encompasses yacht importation planning and VAT deferment mechanisms, registration, compliance, and ongoing reporting obligations across Malta and other EU jurisdictions. He ensures clients remain compliant with evolving regulations, including Malta’s qualifying short-term charter measures and related compliance requirements, while optimising tax efficiency and maintaining regulatory certainty.

Matthew actively engages with the yachting community through attendance at major industry events, ensuring he stays current with regulatory developments and maintains strong client and professional relationships. His deep understanding of both the technical VAT aspects and practical operational requirements makes him an invaluable resource for yacht owners navigating the complexity and compliance aspects of the ever-changing VAT frameworks.

Matthew holds an MSc in Finance from the University of Aberdeen and is ACCA-qualified. He is also a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the Malta Institute of Accountants. His commitment to excellence extends beyond his professional practice; in 2025, he was appointed as Ambassador for Sustainable Mobility within Malta's Ministry for Transport and serves as Chairperson of the Sustainable Mobility Consultative Committee. Outside work, he enjoys an active lifestyle through mountain trekking and bicycle touring, reflecting his dedication to sustainable practices in both professional and personal spheres.