Tara Wright, Cpa, Ca Email & Phone Number

Halifax Regional Municipality, Ns, Ca

Halifax Regional Municipality, Ns, Ca

Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada

As a self-employed Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA), I provide accounting and financial management services to small businesses, through fractional CFO, fractional controllership, and special project work. My key services include:• Strategic financial planning and analysis: monitor and report on business performance• Financial risk management: develop risk management strategies, implement internal controls• Financial reporting and compliance: prepare and/or review financial statements and applicable tax filings• Budgeting and forecasting: develop annual budgets and regular forecasts, variance analysis and reporting, financial modeling and scenario planning• Process improvement and automation: implement financial systems and software, internal control assessments and enhancements• Financial consulting and advisory: business advisory services, financial health assessments, cost management and reduction strategiesLeveraging my deep understanding of finance, I partner with small business owners to streamline their financial operations and maximize their financial performance.

Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada

I own and manage residential properties with my husband, focusing on maintaining high standards and fostering positive tenant relationships. My responsibilities include financial reporting and analysis, overseeing property maintenance/renovations, and handling tenant communications. I leverage my background in finance to ensure profitability while enhancing tenant satisfaction and retention.

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

In my role as Director of Operational Risk Management at Manulife, I refined crucial skills in strategic risk oversight and critical thinking. Key Highlights:1. Strategic Risk Oversight: I provided second-line defence oversight for Group Functions, utilizing my risk expertise, strong relationship management, and critical thinking skills to probe, challenge, negotiate, and assess operational risks, resulting in improved internal controls.2. Risk Culture Enhancement: I actively supported leadership and staff in elevating risk assessment skills, playing a key role in fostering a forward-thinking risk culture across various functions.3. Initiative Leadership and Execution: I led and supported various risk management activities, including comprehensive risk assessments and the implementation of a Global EUCS Standard.4. ESG Data Control Assessment: I spearheaded an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) data control assessment across multiple functions and business units, identifying data collection gaps and assisting management with finding internal control improvements.5. Cross-Functional Collaboration: I collaborated with diverse risk teams to implement a Global EUCS Standard by providing strategic leadership in the development and implementation of roadmaps and user-centered services to increase compliance and unify processes across the company.When the chance for a career break emerged, I seized it as an opportunity to pivot and focus on project managing our personal real estate portfolio and contributing to my husband's business on a part-time basis, offering financial analysis and strategic insights aimed at enhancing the company's profitability.

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

My experience in Manulife's Finance department has been a rewarding and significant phase of my career, covering nine years of growth and change. Beginning in a role focused on corporate reporting, I progressed to positions of global responsibility. In these roles, I had the opportunity to apply my interest in improving processes and systems, alongside financial planning and advisement. This journey allowed me to engage with both strategic challenges and the implementation of innovative solutions, including digital transformation.Key highlights:1. Global Expense Management Leadership: I initially led the management of ~$500M in annual Global Marketing Expenses across five segments, demonstrating effective global financial leadership. Following a strategic reorganization to optimize team performance, my focus shifted to successfully overseeing ~$300M across three segments, paving the way for a more streamlined and efficient management structure.2. Team Leadership / Development: I built and led a global team of six accounting professionals, fostering a culture of excellence and collaboration through targeted training and mentorship.3. Strategic Reporting and Analysis: My approach to developing and delivering insightful monthly expense reports informed crucial decision-making, including identifying expense risks, opportunities, and financial controls, proposing and influencing actionable strategies for functional business partners.4. Budgeting and Forecasting: I managed the forecasting and budgeting process, collaborating closely with key finance and business areas, which led to reducing expenditures and supporting organizational goals.5. Process Improvement and Automation: Committed to efficiencies, I championed process automation initiatives, including the integration of digital services such as PowerBI and AnaPlan, which cut reporting time by 50% while increasing user utilization by 90%.#Finance

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

I leveraged my Chartered Accountant (CA) designation by starting a career in audit at Manulife. During my 12 years in Manulife’s Audit Services, I began as a senior auditor and advanced through various roles, eventually reaching a Director position. This journey was marked by growing responsibilities, a variety of challenges, and ongoing professional development. Through this experience, I was able to refine my skills, particularly in areas such as:1. Audit Leadership and Strategy: I advanced from Senior Auditor to Director, leading multi-city audit teams and completing risk assessments and annual audit planning in compliance with the COSO framework.2. Diverse Audit Portfolio Management: I managed a broad spectrum of audits across global functions including Key Risk, Project Risk, Compliance, and SOX Audits, encompassing areas such as Corporate Development, Procurement, HR, Branding and Communications.3. Emerging Risk Identification: I spearheaded the strategic identification of emerging risks, guiding ERAs and staying ahead of trends in areas like Cloud Computing and Social Media.4. Global Initiative Leadership: I drove key global initiatives, notably the Rewards & Recognition Program, boosting team morale and aligning with organizational objectives.5. Risk Assessment and Mitigation: I scrutinized complex processes and systems to pinpoint and mitigate key risks, ensuring comprehensive and compliant audit practices.

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

My experience as a co-op student at Grant Thornton, through the Dalhousie BComm Co-Op program, was both rewarding and a significant step in my career development. This opportunity led me to a full-time position at a professional accounting firm, which was a key factor in my decision to pursue the Chartered Accountant designation.During my time at Grant Thornton, I managed full-time auditing responsibilities while completing coursework at the Atlantic School of Chartered Accountants (ASCA). My commitment and effort were recognized when I achieved the highest mark in Atlantic Canada on the ASCA Tax course, an accomplishment that contributed to obtaining my CA designation in 2001.This early achievement in my career helped me develop a deep appreciation for strong work ethic, perseverance, and resilience. These traits have been essential in adapting to the changing financial industry and have been instrumental in my success in various roles at Manulife.

Cpa, Ca

Bachelor Of Commerce - Bcom, Accounting