Greater Sydney Area
I am an experienced Business Partner / Group Financial Controller with over 30 years expertise across Commerce, Industry, and Not for Profit sectors, specialising in financial and management reporting, business strategy, and process improvement. My strengths are in identifying trends in the Profit and Loss, identifying issues and roadblocks, and solving problems. I communicate well across the entire business, and drive collaboration for the best results possible. I am skilled in mentoring teams, managing M & A, and driving organisational objectives through clear communication and stakeholder engagement. I am a energetic, enthusiastic operator.
The Deputy Financial Controller supports the Financial Controller in overseeing the integrity of the company's financial operations and reporting. The role provides leadership across core accounting functions, ensuring strong Balance Sheet governance, compliance with statutory and financial requirements, and the effective operation of financial controls. Responsible for managing key aspects of financial reporting, audit coordination, tax, treasury, and working capital, the Deputy Financial Controller delivers accurate and timely financial information, drives process improvement, and supports decision-making across by the wider business.
Hunter Douglas Limited - subsidiary of Hunter Douglas B.V. (USA) – a global company specialising in the manufacture and installation of Blinds, Curtains and Window Coverings. Financial Controller • Responsibilities • Staff management: lead a team of six. • Business partnering: o in the last seven years, I have been actively involved in: four acquisitions. one demerger share transfer: 49% to 100% o bankers, external auditors, tax professionals: main point of contact • Manage: o Annual RDR Statutory Reporting -Multi Entity Consolidated Group o Audit function: interim and final o Monthly, Quarterly and Annual Close: Profit and Loss, Balance Sheet o Tax compliance: direct and indirect o Treasury: eight entities • Systems implementation experience o AP automation o D365: Scoping and Implementation team member Achievements • Streamlined Statutory Financial Statements / Tax Return o Thirty-two models reduced to two. o Time: 2016-2017 • Audit delivery: six consecutive years • Payroll tax audit: error rate 0.001% • Mentored five acquisitions (2016 – 2019): o family-run-centric companies, in the main to o global monthly, quarterly reporting o through the write / build of individual tailored reporting models
KONE Elevators Australia, a subsidiary of KONE Corporation (Finland), is part of a global engineering and construction company specialising in the movement of people and goods through the installation and service of elevators and escalators. Responsibilities • Monitor, manage and execute financial policy / strategies through monthly overhead management of Australia / NZ results and Balance Sheet control / review • Manage budgets and forecasts and prepare / present annual Head Office Budget • Manage / mentor a team of 12 Accounting support staff encompassing Corporate Accountant, Business Analyst, Financial Accountants, Shared Services (Debtors/Payables) and Payroll • Compile and analyse data from payroll systems focusing on staff / operative headcount; new starters and terminations, together with EOY forecast vs. budget and commentary • Key Performance Indicator reporting; Cash flow management • Manage/lead annual Audit; liaison with auditors, tax consultants Achievements • Led successful annual and bi-annual national audits • Project managed transition of international banking services • Re-engineered KPI headcount reporting reducing delivery from 5 days to 2 days • Member of Premises Project Team, which managed to completion, refurbishment of the Australian Head Office; negotiating with external project manager / building owner / internal stakeholders • Successfully negotiated reimbursement $2m capital works within 7 day time-frame
Culligan Water provides industry leading water purification solutions for commercial and domestic use. I was initially appointed on a weekly three-day contract to support the company's General Manager in the capacity as Financial Controller. I was re-appointed to the business as the CFO after a request from the company founder and departure of the General Manager. This role was held in conjunction with my duties as Financial Controller / Commercial Manager of The Co-op. The Culligan business was sold in 2012 post the successful negotiation and repayment of an external $1m debt; repayment resulted in a positive hit to the bottom line of $250k, with penalties rescinded. Responsibilities • Member of the Senior Leadership Management team responsible for the strategic direction of the business including ultimate sale • Direct reports - 14 staff (Finance, IT, Administration, Stock Control/Warehouse, Payroll/HR) • Monthly reporting on Profit and Loss and Balance Sheet • Manage Daily / Weekly Cash flow; Australian Taxation and Banking relationships • Completion of all divisional budgets: Sales, Marketing, Finance & Administration Achievements • Negotiated repayment of tax debt -->$250k benefit to the bottom line • Successfully restructured the Finance department --> $100k in savings • Annual budgets delivered in full and ahead of time • Implemented Cash Flow model --> full transparency / management of Cashflow • Active involvement in commercial discussions in the preparation / sale of the business
The University Co-op Bookshop, operating in the Not for Profit space, provides national retail services to tertiary education institutions. I held the dual roles of Financial Controller / Commercial Manager (Co-op) and CFO (Culligan Water) for the period Feb 2010 Jun 2011. Responsibilities (Co-op) • Implement, execute corporate financial policies / strategies as defined by the Senior Leadership Team • Responsible for the delivery and presentation of accurate and timely Profit and Loss reports and forecasts of the business to the Senior Leadership Management team • Complete National business budget 42 retail outlets, 8 Head Office departments • Development / presentation key business metrics / financial models to support the business • Review of commercial contracts Achievements • Developed a monthly forecast process to provide accurate forecasts of business performance with consideration to key business activities • Streamlined back office Payroll, Accounts Payable and Membership database reporting resulting in reduction analysis / presentation time from 3 days to ½ day • Successfully delivered / presented National Budget (42 retail outlets / 8 head office departments to the Senior Leadership Management team • Member of Project Management Team, which managed transition / completion of existing legacy system to an ERP Pronto system • Successful implementation of BI XL-Cubed reporting tool