Experience

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  Edwards & Co

  • North Shore - Auckland

  • Co-Founder

    • Jun 2013 - Present
    • North Shore - Auckland

    My husband & I started Edwards & Co in 2013 after working in corporate careers since early 2004. We developed a business growth and diversification strategy, establishing a 5 year plan for the creation of a new baby stroller company - Edwards & Co (www.edwardsandcobaby.co.nz) which included sourcing products, product design and distributorship.Edwards& Co is now a house hold name for kiwis, and we are always striving to innovate and bring our customers the smoothest ride possible for new parents, as everything is designed with love <3

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  Haka Tours

  • Auckland, New Zealand

  • Group CFO

    • Nov 2018 - Jul 2020
    • Auckland, New Zealand

    As the group CFO of Haka Tourism Group, which encompasses brands across the guided adventure, snow and MTB industries, hostels, hotels and global educational travel market, I looked after 13 separate companies within the group.In my role as CFO I owned the growth and scaleability phase which saw me take responsibility for due diligence and completion on acquisitions, financial improvement of the business including lean process review and operational efficiency.I owned the IT system architecture and RFPs which lead to a successful Salesforce implementation resulting in a 400% increase in improvement and productivity. This lead to a full restructure across all departments to set the business up for long term scaleability.Our purpose: To foster deeper connections between our manuhiri, our land and our culture through exceptional travel experiences.I am passionate about the NZ tourism industry, technology, people, business and operational efficiency all culminating to provide a world-class experience for both our guests and employees alike.Recent Awards:2019 - NZ Export Awards, Category Winner and Overall Supreme Winner2019 - Best Large Business, Newmarket Business Awards2018 - NZ's Best Hostel Brand, Adventure Tourism Awards2018 - NZ's Best Tour or Activity, Adventure Tourism Awards2018 - Best Marketing Company, Auckland Business Awards2017 - Supreme Award Winner, New Zealand Tourism Awards + 3 other national awards2017 – Top 3 Hostel in Oceania, Haka Lodge Taupo by global booking giants, Hostelworld and

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  RightWay Limited

  • Auckland, New Zealand

  • Head Of Operations

    • Apr 2017 - May 2018
    • Auckland, New Zealand

    Responsible for over 60 staff both in NZ and offshore in the Philippines, I head up the Operations function for Rightway Limited. Rightway is a Business Advisory and Accounting firm with a focus on growing our client's businesses, and providing advice to help them achieve their goals.Reporting to the CEO, I sit on the Senior Leadership Team as one of 3 Heads of Department with three key focuses:1. develop the operational business plan; oversee the implementation and achievement of agreed annual goals (financial and non-financial)2. develop and embed processes, systems, reporting and controls which enhance operational function to the benefit of customers and internal teams3. create and build a positive culture, with strong engagement and high performance within the Operations teamOver the past 12 months I have implemented a number of changes including a new structure for scale, clear and defined KPIs and incentives, clear reporting around deliverables, increased team engagement, and restructured the team including a number of new positions. I have outsourced a number of functions to increase efficiency and reduce costs, so our NZ team are free to add value to our clients.Results:- For the first time my team exceeded the Revenue budget and hit a new record- Reduced staff turnover rate- Hit 79.5% team engagementI have the ability to take people on the transformation journey with great ideas and initiatives, and by doing so, achieve outstanding business outcomes. My relationship building capability is second to none, and I am comfortable dealing with senior stakeholders both internally and externally to get results.

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  Xero

  • New Zealand
  • Software Development
  • 700 & Above Employee

  • Product Marketing Manager

    • Aug 2016 - May 2017

    This is role serves both our customers and their advisors.For our customers and their accounting & bookkeeping advisors, I was responsible for defining value proposition and messaging that drives adoption of small business apps. I worked closely with our sales, marketing and education teams to deliver programmes, tools and resources that help simplify choices, and drive adoption of Xero across all channels.Working closely with the API platform and partner facing teams around the world on various 'Projects', I helped build awareness of the value proposition of partnering with Xero, and design and deliver improvements to the partner programme and a scalable engagement strategy that help our partners build, launch and grow their apps.

  • Sales Product Specialist (Pre Sales Engineer)

    • May 2014 - Aug 2016

    As the Xero Sales Product Specialist for all product lines of Xero for NZ and Rest of World, I lead large account opportunities with RFPs, relationship management and strategy. I support the sales team in regards to all Xero products, liaising closely with development & marketing on new product features.• Face of Xero to partner sales channel leading major roadshows and events• Manage relationships with major accounts and large opportunities• Technical support for all partners• Delivery of a “best practice” sales process• Training and support for Partner and client visits• Sales expert for Xero & Practice Management Tools• Go to for legal, regulatory and technology changes that impact on partner channel• Manage specific projects to grow the revenue of NZ partner channel• Collate feedback for development of the Xero product feature requests

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  Compass Group

  • Sydney, Australia

  • Commercial Manager

    • Jul 2012 - Jun 2013
    • Sydney, Australia

    Responsible for a team of 6 accountants managing the Commercial Operations for NSW & ACT. Comprising 200+ contracts for Eurest, Scholarest & Restaurant Associates.• Provide commercial support to Area Managers and GM of Operations for NSW & ACT• Implement & manage process improvements• Restructure the Commercial team for NSW/ACT• Identify & reduce major cost savings and revenue driving initiatives• Review and report on monthly accounts (P&L) for a variety of business units to Corporate• Prepare annual budgets and re-forecast throughout the year• Weekly & monthly forecasting and reporting

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  Tabcorp

  • Sydney, Australia

  • Finance Operations Manager

    • May 2010 - Jul 2012
    • Sydney, Australia

    Responsibilities:• Lead the Finance Operations team to ensure accurate and timely preparation of Balance Sheet reconciliations, ledger tasks and the management of Wagering cash flow (>$2b p.a.).• Oversee the continuous improvement of the functions performance. Analyse current processes, procedures and systems, then identify gaps and implement changes to enhance & replace as required. i.e. conducting due diligence for complete system replacement- Payroll (450 casual staff)- Rostering- Financial ledgers and reporting• Lead, motivate, develop and performance manage direct reports.• Develop & implement financial controls and accounting policies for the team.• Ensure customer service and inter-department support is 'Above and Beyond' expectations.• Ensure that P&L risk is minimised by monitoring key risk accounts.• Review and authorise venue settlement sweeps ($40m per week), accounts receivable and accounts payable via Oracle.• Build and manage business partnerships with all internal and external stakeholders.• Ensure documentation is developed and maintained through detailed procedures.Achievements:• Reduced team headcount by 2 FTEs during period of retail expansion whilst continuing to provide top level service.• Take on and project manage Keno roll out for all Victorian Agencies.• Restructure and implement job rotation process and complete full documentation of each

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  Flight Centre (NZ) Ltd

  • Wellington

  • Retail Accountant / Internal Auditor

    • Sep 2009 - Apr 2010
    • Wellington

    Audit internal accounts and review shop Trust and General Accounts, ensuring all reconciliations are up to date and correct.Management Reporting and Business Analysis, including Shop and Country KPI's prepared and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy and understanding to provide a complete analysis of the area including financial and non-financial data.Offer business advice and highlight opportunities to increase/protect profit.Process improvement in all areas of the business.Provide advice to assist the shops with any queries they may have (21 stores = 100+ staff), with the ability to explain the accounting functions to a non-business minded employee.Budgeting, Forecasting and Financial Planning reviewed every month to ensure valid and an accurate indication of the remainder of the year.Provide training as required for all financial systems and processes on shop visits (on both an ad-hoc and structured basis as appropriate). Spot check transactions for fraud & adherence to Flight Centre minimum standards.Prepare monthly financial statements for the Area's shops and support accountsPreparation of Consolidated Financial statements for the Area, including commentary regarding performance compared to budget and prior year.Complete checklists for NZ Consolidation team and Global Financial Reporting.Manage the financial control of the expo events

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  Wellington International Airport Limited

  • Wellington

  • Revenue Accountant

    • Mar 2009 - Sep 2009
    • Wellington

    Consolidate passenger numbers from airlines and invoice relevant partiesAnalyse & report passenger numbers on a monthly basis to executivesCalculate monthly retail concessions for various retail outlets including retailers within the main terminal building, airport Retail Park and various other property concessions related to airport revenueReconcile all revenue accounts to the general ledger on a monthly basisPrepare monthly migration statistics and report & analyseUpdate monthly statistics for retail concessions and passenger numbers calculating 'spend per passenger' for property managers and executivesReconcile the car parking revenue providing a full breakdown of each area of the propertyPrepare the GST & FBT returns as requiredPrepare the Online Web Report for Infratil NZ LtdLiase with Wellington High Performance Aquatics and prepare Year-End accounts and GST returns. Advise on accounting functions including implications of donations & sponsorship etc.Review leases/rents in line with CPI and lease agreements as requiredCalculate operating expenses & compare actual with budget for refunds/invoicing top-upsOther ad-hoc jobs as required including analysing airline ticket costs from WLG, adjusting processes to make workflow more efficient and job share to reduce knowledge gaps.

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  Mojo Coffee

  • Wellington

  • Group Accountant (Contract)

    • Dec 2008 - Mar 2009
    • Wellington

    Set-up & maintain the Fixed Asset Register for all fifteen Mojo Companies.Consolidate the Depreciation Schedule.Set-up Management accounting templates for costing of food allocation including revenue & expenses of the factory kitchen.Streamline kitchen costing to match budget; recreate pricing for the supplied cafes.Company set-up for various entities around NZ and begin the process of registering a Charity.Advise on provisional tax, set-up Inland Revenue Dept. registration and log-on's, overlook the GST returns and file the Income Tax returns with the Tax Agent.Advise shareholders/business owners on accounting functions.Overlook and assist the accounts payable/receivable clerk.Look at existing procedures to refine the way things are done in order to make everyone's work flow more efficient i.e. automate the bank reconciliations & scan invoices etc.Ad-hoc duties including stock takes & answering queries for customers and staff.

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  Curtis McLean

  • Wellington

  • Accountant

    • Nov 2006 - May 2008
    • Wellington

    Prepare Financial Accounts and Tax Returns for all size entitiesPeriod management accounts in line with IFRS and NZICAResponsible for establishing and maintaining clients fixed asset registersManagement of client bank accounts, downloads and reconciliationsPreparation of monthly cash flow and projections for clientsGeneral ledger preparation & maintenance including journal entriesCompletion of GST and other Taxation returns

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  Brooklyn Bagels & Dixon St Deli

  • Wellington

  • Accountant

    • Apr 2005 - Nov 2006
    • Wellington

    Ensure the receivables and payables are kept up to dateProcess payroll using ACE PaysMaintain the general ledger and in-house accounts using Quantum AccountsAd-hoc duties including reconciling bank statements, GST, PAYE etcReferees Available on Request

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  Nickelodeon

  • London, United Kingdom

  • Accounts Assistant

    • 2004 - 2004
    • London, United Kingdom

    Accountant contract

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  NHS

  • London, United Kingdom

  • Accounts Assistant

    • 2003 - 2004
    • London, United Kingdom