Usha Sivanathan Email & Phone Number

Melbourne, Australia

As a member of the Senior Executive Group and Finance & Audit Committee, I have participated in strategic planning and led change that has contributed to the growth of the organisation from a turnover of $26m to $90m in 12 years, as well as the transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). I have improved internal control, policies and procedures; introduced successful Financial business partnering; implemented efficient and effective practices in Financial Services, Payroll management and Fleet Management; and I lead a high-performing team of 13 Finance professionals, and collectively we have achieved unqualified audit reports every year with minimal recommendations for improvement.

North Melbourne

As Finance Manager I led the Finance and Fleet Management teams during a period of renewed business development and was a member of the Finance Committee. I personally turned around key activities to achieve the outcome of unqualified audit reports with minimal recommendations. My teams and I were instrumental in tendering for national contracts and successfully automating processes and reporting across the organisation.

St. Kilda

As the Financial Controller of a growing enterprise, I was instrumental in cost control and improved reporting to enable an ambitious growth strategy. I managed a Finance team of 9 people including Payroll and personally trained several managers (with nursing backgrounds) on interpreting Financial reports. I led a Finance system upgrade, introduced unit cost reporting, and I streamlined accounting processes and debt collection. We achieved unqualified audit reports with minimal management comments for improvement.

Melbourne

I developed my career over 13 years with Wesley Mission where I started as a Management Accountant and progressed to Finance Manager, then to General Manager. In addition to being a trusted advisor of the CEO and Executive team, I was recognised for leading a highly engaged and stable team who provided quality accounting, fleet and payroll services. Further achievements included: improvement of budgeting, forecasting and reporting; implementing a new Finance system and automated solutions; and providing training to non-Accountants in understanding and interpreting financial reports and analysis.

Hawthorn

In my first Australian role, and prior to maternity leave, I gained experience with Cockram focusing on project accounting for various construction projects.

London, United Kingdom

As Project Accountant at British Telecom I was responsible for the successful transfer of data and information to a new system.

Nigeria

Worked as Assistant Accountant in Nigeria for two years for this construction company, responsible for accounting to trial balance and payroll, and assisting the Chief Accountant with monthly reporting.