Accounting Manager

Finance and Accounting Leader with a demonstrated 16-year history of working in the public practice, non-for-profit, leisure, travel, retail, manufacturing & consumer goods industry. Skilled in Analytical Skills, Fixed Assets Management, Management/Cost Accounting, Financial Accounting, Australian and North American Compliance Reporting and Finance. Strong accounting professional with a Bachelor of Business (B.Bus.) focused in Accounting from Queensland University of Technology, and Australian CPA.

Professional Experience

Finance/Accounting Manager – North America (Santa Monica Location) 2017-2019

Jurlique International, an organic private skin care company in the US, reporting into a global Japanese company listed on the stock exchange. The US company has approx. 23 employees, and with an annual turnover of $9M. Duties included:

Ensure integrity of management reporting to support Jurlique North America

Provide analytical support across functional commercial teams

Provide useful information to the local and global executive team to assist in the decision making process to deliver growth in the US business.

Manage US Reporting cycle (management/cost and financial accounting functions from ROI, COGS, Inventory and Distribution of consumer goods)

Development and implementation of budgets, forecasting reports and targets as required

Work collaboratively with the IT team to ensure data integrity, set up promotional offers, new system enhancements and reports are in line with the business needs and accounting requirements.

Responsible for the functional excellence of the management accounts and the US trail balance including debtors, creditors and cash control.

Responsible for monthly and quarterly commentary of actuals versus budget/forecast /LY

Management of all US Federal and State taxes including income tax, sales tax, city tax.

At times this includes managing the scope of external consulting engagements. – including management of banking relationships and company secretarial requirements.

Partnering with the Global Finance team on projects and improvements

Direct Reports/Accounting team - 5

Accountant (Los Angeles Location) 2015 - 2017

Flight Centre Travel Group (US division), were specialist in travel services for Corporate and Entertainment industries. The US division had approx. 27 employees with an annual turnover of $42M. Main duty:

Testing & implementation of a new ERP system - using Microsoft Dynamics AX

Assistant Financial Controller (Brisbane Location) 2014 - 2015

Flight Centre Travel Group is the largest retail travel outlet in Australia. The company is listed on the Aust Stock Exchange. Approx 309 employees and annual turnover of $280M. Duties included:

Report directly to General Manager Finance Niche Brands

Support multiple Financial Controllers

Consolidate 19 monthly P&L and Balance Sheet reporting

Monitoring month end / budget /reforecast progress for multiple states

Providing support and development for new accountants

Investigate fraudulent activity within Niche brands

Direct Reports/Accounting team - 19

Accountant (Sydney Location) 2011 - 2014

Flight Centre Travel Group is the largest retail travel outlet in Australia. The company is listed on the Aust Stock Exchange. Approx 88 employees and annual turnover of $22M. Duties included:

Preparation of 23 monthly financial statements and management accounts

Analysis and interpretation of monthly results and follow up on significant variances with area/team leaders

Ensure compliance with company policies, relevant accounting standards and FCL minimum standards for financial systems and processes.

Assisting commercial leaders with the preparation of annual budgets and monthly forecasts.

Preparation of cash payments and receipts in the General Accounting system, bank reconciliations and internal charges.

Internal audits of the businesses and reconciliation of all client accounts on a rotational basis

Provide risk management and business acumen training to commercial staff regularly

General Ledger & Fixed Assets Accountant (Brisbane Location) 2010 - 2011

Colorado Group Australian public company that operates a number of retail clothing chains. With approx. 434 stores in Australia and New Zealand, and employs 3800 people and annual turnover of $500M. Duties included:

Bank and Credit Card Reconciliations (Weekly)

Reconciling Balance Sheet/Profit and Loss accounts between AUS and NZ Ledgers (Weekly)

Monthly Balance Sheet Account Reconciliations/Accruals

Preparation of GST & FBT Returns (IRD)

End of Year Audit Preparation

Statistics Reporting (sales figures and stock)

Oversee the Processing and Reconciliation of computer leasing equipment.

Fixed Assets data entry & deprecation calculation

Reconcile the Fixed Assets System to the General Ledger.

Development and implementation of Capital Budgets and Forecasts (Fixed Assets & Stock)

Maintain Capital Tracking for all Capital expenditure forecasts

ROI Analysis of Assets

Stock Allocation, Divisional to Store Level and Reconciliation.

Reconciliations of Asset Additions, Disposals, Store Closures, New Stores, Refits and Stock

Australian Bureau of Statistics Reporting (stock & capital expenditure)

Processing and Invoicing of Land Lord Contributions

Co-ordinate audits to be completed on Store, Property, Plant and Equipment

Professional Experience (pre-obtaining undergraduate degree)

2008 – 2009 Non-for-Profit Finance Manager at Youth Alive Australia

2006 – 2007 Environmental Services Fixed Assets Accountant at Transpacific Industries Group Ltd

2004 – 2005 Architecture Firm Assistant Accountant at Thomson Adsett

2002 – 2003 Public Practice Undergraduate Accountant at KPMG

Education / Qualifications

Institution: CPA Australia Membership since 2012

Institution: Queensland University of Technology – Brisbane, QLD

Qualifications: BA of Business - Accounting with Extended Major in Professional Accounting

Complete: 2011

Software Skills Summary

Advance - Excel, MYOB, AP21, AS400, JDE Edwards, Oracle/Sun, TM1, Microsoft Dynamics AX

Intermediate - Adobe Premier, Citrix, Archie Admin, Intermediate, Attaché, Accpac, Activa MYOB Asset Register, Sybiz Vision

Beginner - Satisfaction (management system)

Finance & Operations References

Available on request.

SWOT - Charisma Wangatau

Strengths

Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines in a timely manner

Personal distinctiveness includes; strong work ethic, high level energy, self-disciplined, problem solver, creative & innovative thinker

Leadership training & experience

Strong team focus, whilst also self-motivated to work independently when needed

Positive attitude to embrace change, adapt to new business efficiencies.

Development and implementation skills to effectively roll out changes within a team

Technical accounting knowledge (CPA member – working towards completion)

Diverse business exposure – worked across multiple industries with different strategic focus (Finance/Operations)

Novice accountant training & development

Effective communicator with individual team members – I have worked with a successful operational leader on coaching techniques, as well as going out on the road to observe how to better communicate on a one on one level.

Weakness

Perfectionism can hinder my time management of tasks at hand. However, I have taken steps to list my tasks, prioritise according to deadlines / importance, and focus on managing them

Fear of public speaking to large audiences. Over the last 5 years of my career I have had multiple opportunities to improve my mass communication skills and reduce this fear in the corporate environment through speaking and presenting at regular meetings, training & workshops and conferences

Opportunity

Willingness to work in another country to gain international exposure in the corporate environment and improve interpersonal cultural communications.

From years of experience, I’ve developed transferable skills in multiple industries

I’m mouldable – willingness to take constructive feedback from others I work with, to improve personal skill set

On-going Learning – utilising CPA studies to improve business practises and develop employees

Threats

Attractive offers for other finance roles

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