Experience

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  Les Mills International

  • Nz & Global Shared Services Financial Accounting Director

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  Les Mills International

  • New Zealand
  • Wellness and Fitness Services
  • 700 & Above Employee

  • NZ & Global Shared Services Financial Accounting Director

    • Sep 2023 - Present

    As the NZ & Global Shared Services Financial Accounting Director I lead and am ultimately responsible for the core financial accounting activities for all NZ entities of the LMI Group and am also ultimately responsible for consolidation activities, including consolidated results, statutory accounts and audit.In my role I lead the NZ entities and work closely with the Head of Financial Accounting (and their teams) in the market hubs to ensure that all finance activities for the group are accurate, compliant, produced in a timely manner and are consistent with all group policies and procedures. In addition, the role leads the global financial accounting shared services functions, specifically:• Accounts Payable for the group (centralised and global)• Global tax• Global Treasury and cash managementThis role is a key member of the wider Finance SLT, with a focus on continuous improvement and agility. A key objective of this role is to lead and develop a high-performing NZ and Shared Services financial accounting team, through effective performance management techniques to enable achievement of company and personal goals.Key responsibilities include:• Core Accounting, incl. Month-end and consolidation - for all LMI Group NZ entities and Group consolidation• Performance Measurement• Global accounting Policies and Procedures• Compliance & Tax• Treasury• Working with FP&A team on budgeting and reforecasting

  • Global Tax & Strategic Projects Director

    • Dec 2021 - Aug 2023

    Along with the responsibilities for managing the global tax position and strategy for the LMI Group, my new role now also includes leadership of certain global strategic projects for the Group, following on from recent work managing the COVID response targets.

  • Global Tax Manager

    • Jun 2018 - Nov 2021

    Les Mills International is a NZ headquartered privately held company with the core product of the development and licensing of group fitness programmes internationally through its owned and third party distribution network. The Global Tax Manager role assumes full accountability and responsibility for all tax related matters for the Group, including all overseas jurisdictions. This comprises corporate income tax, indirect taxes, Transfer Pricing and documentation requirements, contract reviews and intercompany agreements, Global Mobility and tax structuring. This role is equivalent to the Head of Tax or Tax Director role in comparison to other businesses. During the COVID pandemic this role was extended to lead the task force for all government subsidies globally, which then developed into the Lead of the Recovery & Growth Plan for the Global LMI Group with the main focus was on cost optimization. Responsibilities: • Taxation compliance for all existing (NZ, UK, Sweden. GER, U.S., China, Japan, ME, India, NL, Brazil, Russia, Taiwan) and future jurisdictions in which LMI operates • Providing tax advice around efficient tax structures to local and global teams and being the subject matter expert for the business • Tax risk management, tax advice and support to the distribution network in the identification, incorporation and set-up in new territories • Group consolidation, calculation and reconciliation for statutory account purposes of all balances for current and deferred tax expense, deferred tax asset and liability and tax provision • Implement tax structures into new and emerging markets • Manage transfer Pricing methodologies are followed and regularly documented • Ensure tax efficient repatriation of offshore profits from all markets • Active management and mitigation of Permanent Establishment (PE) risks for the Group • Proactive Management and structuring of any tax implications of our Digital Product offerings

  • Tax Manager

    • May 2014 - Jun 2018

    Function / Role: My responsibilities include: • Responsible for the preparation of interim and year end tax calculations for all jurisdictions the company operates in (NZ, UK, GER, US, Sweden, China, Japan, ME, India, Russia, Taiwan, Brazil, NL) and Group consolidation, including liaising with external taxation advisors• Liaison with local accountants in Sweden, Germany and the U.S. relating to LMI’s investment in subsidiaries• Work with and oversee the Assistant Accountants who prepare the FBT, GST, VAT, Sales Taxes and other regular tax returns in the current markets and any future markets the company may enter into• Maintain and adhere to the Group Tax and compliance calendar• Preparation of monthly taxation expense forecasts for inclusion in the monthly management accounts• Provide calculations of taxation expense for inclusion in financial budgets and forecasts and Group consolidation of all overseas jurisdictions• Reviewing the company’s taxation obligations in each market it operates in to ensure our obligations are continuously met as the organisation changes and evolves• Investigating taxation implications for any new markets the company may enter.• Assume responsibility for ensuring all existing transfer pricing methodologies are followed and regularly documented.Achievements:• Implementation of Shared Services entity and structure and ensure full FTC utilisation• Tax structuring of acquisition of 3 third party distributors in the U.S.• Successful acquisition and incorporation of new 100% owned subsidiaries in China, Japan, MiddleEast, India, Brazil, Russia and Taiwan• Set-up of European warehouse for equipment distribution• Unilateral Advance Pricing Agreements for 8 jurisdictions and closure of all open audits and risk reviews• Implementation of Global Mobility Policy for the Group• Education, training and leadership of domestic and international team members through tax workshops and finance conference presentations

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  EY

  • Manager - Tax - Human Capital

    • Oct 2013 - May 2014

    Function / Role: Tax advisory and consulting services to clients Tax Compliance Tax advice, particularly associated with international assignments and expatriate programs Individual and corporate tax issues Tax residency consideration, including residency determinations Special tax code considerations Employer and employee tax obligations Withholding obligations, including reporting (i.e. PAYE etc.) Payroll system/process reviews FBT model and FBT process reviews KiwiSaver/ESCT obligations Hypothetical tax calculations Tax equalisation calculations Provisional tax obligations and calculations Expatriate tax concepts Compensation and benefits reviews Employment contract reviews Provision of expatriate tax returns Advice on international assignment programs Assistance with employer obligations and tax effective packaging Tax equalisation policies Foreign investment fund advice Financial arrangement advice Superannuation/pension advice Share plan due diligence Share plan income computations Tax implications of HR policies

  • Senior Consultant - Tax - Human Capital

    • Jan 2013 - Oct 2013

    Function / Role:Tax advisory services and consulting services to clientsTax ComplianceTax advice, particularly associated with international assignments and expatriate programsIndividual and corporate tax issuesExpatriate tax conceptsProvision of expatriate tax returnsAdvice on international assignment programsAssistance with employer obligations and tax effective packagingTax implications of HR policies

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  Inland Revenue Hamburg - Finanzamt Hamburg-Hansa

  • Inland Revenue Hamburg - Finanzamt Hamburg-Hansa

  • Tax Consultant - Steuerinspektor

    • Oct 2011 - Jan 2013
    • Inland Revenue Hamburg - Finanzamt Hamburg-Hansa

    In October 2011 I took over a new role within the IRD and also changed the IRD Office to the Finanzamt Hamburg-Hansa. The Finanzamt Hamburg-Hansa is the biggest IRD Office in Hamburg, in the heart of the City and responsible for the Taxation of the Businesses in the Harbour region, as well as the central business and shopping district.In this new role I am the head of a small tax department responsible for the taxation of the businesses in the central business district in Hamburg Hansa.Responsibilities:Independently running the Tax Department of the Central Business District area of Hamburg Hansa (Company Taxation). In this role I am responsible for reviewing the tax declarations, balances and profit and loss statements of medium sized and bigger companies (Turnover up to 25 Million €). This includes the review and assessment of tax calculations, profit and loss statements, balance sheets, within the appropriate application of the tax legislation. It also includes the Organisation of the Department and the management of staff. This role requires a sound knowledge of the various tax responsibilities in the areas of Company Tax and GST and other legal rules and regulations specific for company taxation.

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  Inland Revenue Hamburg - Finanzamt Hamburg-Bergedorf

  • Inland Revenue Hamburg - Finanzamt Hamburg-Bergedorf

  • Tax Consultant - Steuerinspektor

    • May 2009 - Sep 2011
    • Inland Revenue Hamburg - Finanzamt Hamburg-Bergedorf

    After I returned to the Finanzamt/Inland Revenue Department in May 2009, I started in the audit department of the office. For the first 6 weeks I was trained for the job as an auditor and was responsible for the Audit of small to medium sized companies based in the Hamburg-Bergedorf region; the review of Tax calculations, Profit and Loss Statements and Balance Sheets in the context of the current tax legislation.After this time I was approached by the managment of the office and asked to take over the position of the leadership of the department responsible for training and tutoring of the new students, which I started on 16th June 2009.Responsibilities:Independently running the tax department of the central district area of Hamburg Bergedorf and organising, training and tutoring of the students currently in the office.In this role I was responsible for reviewing the tax declarations, balances and profit and loss statements of smaller and medium sized companies, as well as personal tax declarations. This includes the review and assessment of tax calculations, profit and loss statements, balance sheets, within the appropriate application of the tax legislation. In addition I was responsible for training and tutoring of the students currently in the office and organising the team involved in this process. This included the management of staff, HR responsibilities like running an appropriate review process, and also running training courses for the students etc.. This role demanded intensive contact with the students and other staff members and required a sound knowledge of the various tax responsibilities in the areas of Income Tax, Company Tax, GST and other legal rules and regulations.

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  EY

  • EY, Auckland - New Zealand

  • Senior Tax Consultant

    • Jan 2008 - Apr 2009
    • EY, Auckland - New Zealand

    Function:Written Tax Advice and consulting adviceTax Compliance - Corporate Income TaxAssessment and review of Year-End Tax ReturnsAudit reviewsI assumed an active role withiin the Financial Services workflow group (General Corporate Tax), offering written tax consulting advice on complex subjects.In my time with the Company I have been assigned to and built up a solid client base with high propfile clients. In most instances I was the first point of contact. My view on client relationships is to create an environment with open, honest communication, timely responses and accurate information.I partook in the tax compliance process, assessing and reviewing numerous Year-End tax returns – complying with local and international tax regulations and statutory provisions and timeframes. I was also responsible for participating in and supervising tax engagements and other related activities, which also included the Tax Effect Accounting review for the Audit team.The EY environment is based around integrity,respect and teaming and I believe I fulfilled all of these requirements to everyones satisfaction.Achievements:Commencing the EY Diploma in Taxation (EYDT) in March 2008, and completing it in November 2008 with an overall grade of A-. The diploma consisted of 20 Topics and 5 Discussion Sessions which sought a considerable sacrifice to one’s personal time. The Company seeks the successful completion of the Diploma within 12months – I’m proud to say that with determination and commitment I achieved this milestone in 9months.Being asked to assist in the review and development of an amended EYDT assessment format for future colleagues by the independent University Professor, who manages the process.Obtaining full membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (ACA) via an exam process while simultaneoulsy pursing EYDT.

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  Mide Limited

  • Mide Limited - Auckland, New Zealand

  • Financial Accountant

    • Aug 2007 - Jan 2008
    • Mide Limited - Auckland, New Zealand

    At the end of August 2007 Bluechip Financial Solutions restructured their Business and outsourced the management and operations functions to an independent third party company (MIDE Ltd) under a franchise model. Within this process almost all of the Bluechip Finance Department were made redundant – a few handpicked employees received an employment offer with the new company to continue running the operations – I was one of them.In my new role with MIDE Ltd, I continued in the first instance with the responsibilities assigned under Bluechip. in enabling the continuity of function and service (internal and external clients) I was involved with the strategic development of team re-organisation and task allocation. As a result I assumed the majority of workload and responsibilites held by the departing staff namely: Option Fee and Joint Venture Payments in addition to my exisitng core duties. My role within MIDE Ltd evolved with considerably more responsibility, veriety and challenges of which I consider I have met with flexibility and commitment.Responsibilities:• Duties as below• Strategic development of team re-organisation and task allocation• Option Fee arrangements• Joint Venture Payments in addition to my existing core duties

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  Blue Chip Financial Solutions Limited

  • Blue Chip Financial Solutions - Auckland, New Zealand

  • Financial Accountant / Assistant Accountant

    • Jun 2005 - Aug 2007
    • Blue Chip Financial Solutions - Auckland, New Zealand

    My duties within the position of Assistant Accountant have been varied, with the following roles and responsibilities undertaken:- Accounts Payable and Processing of Payments (PC Banking & Cheques)- Bank Reconciliations and Cashbook entries- Management of client and Licensee Payments, such as commission and Interest calculations and the reporting and processing of these- Provision of accurate and timely responses to client requests on Financial Information- Property Accounting of Settlements & Sales- Reconciliation and consolidation of Accounts- Planning and Monitoring of Business performance- Preparation of financial Reports and Ad-Hoc Projects with the Group Financial Controller- Analyse the present and projected financial position- Management of daily and weekly Cashflow - Preparation of weekly Sales Analysis, P&L and Cashflow Reports and Reports for the managment- Completion of Month end financial reporting- Management and Running of full sets of Accounts of subsidary companiesI was responsible for managing the full set of Accounts of two subsidary companies of Bluechip, which combined all tasks from reconciling bank accounts, Accounts payable to the Month End Reporting including the Fixed Assets Register and Intercompany Reconciliations.The environment at Blue Chip has always been very challenging and quickly changing and I believe I always responded quickly and efficiently to the new changes and challenges. I always delivered the Month End Accounts and Reports for my responsibilities in a timely manner, met the deadlines and never missed any of the ongoing payments.I believe that my reliability and accuracy was also appreciated through all other areas of the business and I also received many ad-hoc requests of financial information and reporting from different Managers of other areas.

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  Inland Revenue Hamburg - Finanzamt Hamburg-Bergedorf

  • Tax Consultant - Steuerinspektor

    • Oct 2004 - May 2005

    Reviewing and Processing of Tax Declarations and Profit and Loss Statements and Balance Sheets as related to small businessess and private persons with various and variable Incomes.Responsibilities: Management of a completely restructured Division Department

  • Tax Consultant - Steuerinspektor

    • Feb 2003 - Oct 2004

    Function: Reviewing and Processing of Tax Declarations and Profit and Loss Statements and Balance Sheets of smaller companies and private person with various Incomes.Responsibilities: Management of the 5th Division Department and reviewing of the most complex tax declarations – Organisation of the massive backlog of Workload

  • Tax Consultant - Steuerinspektor

    • Oct 2000 - Feb 2003

    Function: Reviewing and Processing of Tax Declarations and Profit and Loss Statements and Balance Sheets as related to small businessess and private persons with various and variable Incomes.Responsibilities: Management of the 4th Division Department and reviewing of the most complex tax declarations