Principal Consultant and Virtual CFO to many start-ups and growing businesses

• Jul 2020 - Present

5ivestar merged with Blue Dragon Business Services on 1st July 2020 bringing together complimentary skill sets. 5ivestar's DNA is as commercial CFOs for mid-sized corporate enterprises while Blue Dragon is a pure tax practice. Together this is something really special and unique that not many other accounting and tax practices can legitimately claim. A blend of Public Practice Tax Accounting experience and commercial CFO expertise. What a great merger!

Principal Consultant and vCFO

• Feb 2013 - Present

5ivestar Business Services is a boutique business services firm. Michael, the Principal of 5ivestar Business Services, provides interim and virtual CFO Solutions, works with SMEs on turnaround strategies, financial, management and forensic accounting services, creative financial modelling solutions including cashflows and budgeting and strategic planning for start-ups and SMEs.5ivestar has real-world experience across a diverse range of market segments including Retail, Wholesale, Construction, Manufacturing, Import, Real Estate, FMCG, Engineering, Logistics, Labour Hire and Horticultural. Business Strategies >5ivestar works with entrepreneurs and SMEs to develop business strategy and more importantly, works with the team to successfully implement that strategy. 5ivestar are a results and outcomes orientated consultancy with a strong focus on managing the bottom-line, employee engagement, and sustainable growth in complex organisations with multiple stakeholders. Michael and the 5ivestar team thrive on bringing strategy to life and measuring its impact through careful monitoring, financial reporting, restructuring, risk, management and turnaround solutions. Business Partnering>Business partnering is the future of finance and accounting. By successfully business partnering in all engagements for the last 20 years. Can we fix-it?>Michael and his team enjoy taking things that are broken, inefficient or wasteful and lead teams to develop process and systems that add-value, are efficient while improving the morale and wellbeing of the team. 5ivestar's objective is to always improve profitability through streamlining back-of-house processes, providing quality and timely information (qualitative and quantitative) for decision making, and supporting sales and operational team members enabling them to provide outstanding customer service. Show less

Chief Financial Officer

• Mar 2009 - Feb 2013

Crest Electronics is a family owned electronics accessories distribution business that has been operating throughout Australia for over 35 years. The business employs 60 team members at its head office and 15 representatives in the field. A state-of-the-art distribution centre operates from Brendale and services all the major retail chains including Harvey Norman, The Good Guys, JB HiFi, Dick Smith, Big W, Kmart, Target and Bunnings. Crest Electronics main business is generated from connectivity, headphones and bracket accessories for personal entertainment and audio visual technologies. Strategic Intent > Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer manage the Corporate Services Department to ensure high financial performance of the organisation and to underpin the success of the business through core strength in finance, IT and Supply Chain Key Responsibilities > Prudent management of the finance function including the preparation and presentation of board reports, maintenance of senior financial relationships and scoping and executing financial strategy. > Preparation of Financial Accounts and Statutory returns > Responsible for the management of cashflow including planning and executing currency hedging strategies > Development of business cases for business acquisitions and establishment of new business > Provide strategic and operational leadership in regards to Information Technology across the business > Developing new sustainable systems, processes and procedures to underpin the integrity of the business > Ensure prudent and effective management of the Supply Chain and overall Inventory control > Provide strategic insights for mergers and acquisitions Show less

Commercial Manager

• Mar 2008 - Feb 2009

JTG is a family owned turf production and distribution business operating in South-East Queensland for 30 years. The business employs 70 staff. Two production facilities distribute 2,000,000m2 of turf annually into 4 channels being retail, a well established resellers network, commercial and government. JTG also has a significant business in turf installation, soft landscaping and erosion control. JTGs focus is on premium PBR varieties with Legend, Tifsport and CT2 couch and is Australia’s largest seller of Sir Walter. The strength of the brands is underpinned by technical innovation through the development of Stayturf, and other erosion control solutions such as hydromulching and hydroseeding. Strategic Intent  Reporting to the Board of Directors manage the commercial elements of the business ensuring all business units worked towards aligned strategic goals. Planning, monitoring and management of departmental performance to ensure optimal results. Key Responsibilities  Provide leadership throughout the business by identifying Critical Success Factors to enable growth and sustainability. Overall management of risk across the business structure through comprehensive business and operational plans.  Oversee the Finance function to ensure financial stability and manage available working capital to service the seasonal nature of the business.  Management of IT to develop a stable environment to support future business growth.  Direct management of HR to ensure a stable and productive workforce. I had 8 direct reports with all but farming personnel reporting through to my role.  Oversee Sales and Marketing to identify opportunities and leverage maximum sales potential on the well established brand and market position. Represent the business with key customers such as Bunnings and Brisbane City Council.  Lead Operations and Logistics teams to ensure operational costings and productivity targets were met. Show less

Chief Financial Officer

• Feb 2003 - Jan 2008

BLA is a family owned marine electronics and hardware import/wholesale business having operations throughout Australia and New Zealand. BLA is Australia’s largest marine wholesaler servicing two sales channels with over 4000 customers and 250 suppliers. Staffing levels were close to 200. The business model had been developed on the basis of being “everything to everyone” and this had proved a successful strategy in gaining market share. Strategic Intent  Reporting to the General Manager and Managing Director administer Finance, IT, Purchasing, Warehousing and Manufacturing to ensure all functions worked towards achieving well developed objectives and goals. This included planning, monitoring and management of departmental performance to ensure optimal results. Key Responsibilities  Careful supervision of the finance function including the presentation of board reports, maintenance of senior financial relationships and scope financial strategy.  Provide strategic leadership in regards to Information Technology across the business  Develop purchasing strategy and supervise the departmental operations  Manage warehousing at a strategic level and oversee the operation of the distribution centres  Manage the NZ business unit  Part of the senior management team responsible for developing corporate strategy Show less

Financial Controller

• Mar 1995 - Feb 2003

Argent is a family owned tapware and sanitaryware import/wholesale business having operations throughout the Australian eastern seaboard. Argent was a pioneer in importing quality bathroom products into Australia having commenced operations in the 1950’s and for many years was the sole competition against the industry giants of Caroma and Fowlerware. Strategic Intent  Reporting to the Managing Director manage Finance, IT, Manufacturing and Logistics to ensure all functions operated at optimal levels with Sales and Marketing to deliver successful business outcomes. Key Responsibilities  Responsible for the preparation and analysis of monthly reports, financial forecasts, budget preparation and ad-hoc reporting to support a balanced scorecard approach  Responsible for the preparation of financial reports, statutory returns and key liaison with auditors and external accountants  Part of the senior management team involved with decision making, development of corporate strategy and entity business plans  Management of currency options, currency protection orders and forward exchange contracts  Overall responsibility for the delivery of IT services, system administration and establishing and maintaining DR plans  Responsible for HR and establishing supporting policy  Supervise Manufacturing and Logistics operations including planning and executing strategy and setting and reporting KPIs Show less

Manufacturing Manager

• Mar 1990 - Feb 1995