CPA Australia

University of South Africa/Universiteit van Suid-Afrika

Tax Institute of Australia

Senior Finance Manager  -  Business Partner  -  Entrepreneur

Led comprehensive review and restructuring of the finance team, resulting in enhanced capabilities 

Spearheaded financial due diligence for a capital raise , ensuring strategic alignment with potential investors and securing the necessary funds to fuel company growth and strategic acquisition. 

Strategically managed and allocated funds from capital raising, stabalising cash balances and creating new opportunities for future identifiable revenue growth.
 
Championed the development and execution of a comprehensive Delegation of Authority Policy. This standardised framework empowered employees at all levels to make informed decisions, streamlining workflows and preventing financial loss.

Designed and implemented a practice group reporting system with detailed cost allocation down to the FTE level. This data-driven approach provided insights into individual performance, allowing for targeted development plans and improved resource allocation, leading to higher productivity.

 Sponsored participant in Property Council Australia's 500 Women in Property 2024 Programme

Charter Keck Cramer

Chief Financial Officer

Successfully led a 12-member team during the acquisition of a wholly owned subsidiary, orchestrating seamless team integration and data consolidation, ensuring operational continuity and maximising organisational synergy.

Stewarded the meticulous alignment of accounting practices and systems following the merger of two subsidiaries. This comprehensive effort ensured the integrity of financial data, enabling accurate and reliable financial reporting, which was critical for comprehensive and informed board-level decision making.
 
Spearheaded the finance workstream during the successful implementation of a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. Fostered cross-functional collaboration to ensure a smooth transition and optimised system functionality, resulting in the delivery of half-year results within six weeks of implimentation. 

Restructured the collections function by transitioning from outsourcing to an in-house model, significantly enhancing control, efficiency, and achieving cost savings.

Co-developed and co-facilitated the Senior Associate and Special Counsel Excellence Program for IPH Group to raise awareness of financial implications of working capital, resulting in advancing the financial acumen and performance of key legal partners.

IPH Limited

Finance Manager

Led a dynamic team of 4 to expertly navigate and oversee the accurate management of multiple high-stakes tender settlements, commanding an impressive $2.3 billion in sales revenue.

Managed the seamless integration of finance systems and corporate accounting for a vast network comprising 61 stores and the central support office.

Spearheaded the comprehensive renewal process for Group Insurance policy contracts, conducting rigorous assessments to mitigate financial risks, optimise coverage, and achieve significant cost savings for the organisation.

Led the finance systems team for the successful in-store rollout of the AfterPay/Humm buy-now-pay-later product, resulting in a threefold revenue growth from participating customers and notable improvements in customer engagement.

Led a Group Finance initiative, partnering with KPMG's working capital advisory team, to achieve a reduction in working capital cycle, resulting in improved efficiency and optimised financial resources across the organisation.

MYER

Finance Manager - Corporate

Secured a 16% increase in available working capital by successfully negotiating a restatement of concentration limits on a $140 million receivables securitisation facility. This strategic move unlocked previously inaccessible capital and enhanced the organisation's financial flexibility.

Served as a strategic member of the Treasury Committee, providing financial expertise and innovative recommendations that resulted in affecting hedging of interest payments on debt. 

Led a comprehensive review and reconciliation of $2 billion plant & equipment reporting, resulting in an improvement in reporting accuracy. This initiative ensured timely capitalisation of Brownfield and Greenfield developments, benefiting from tax allowances faster. 

Consistently delivered exceptional financial performance, recognised with a nomination for the prestigious STAR employee award and a CEO letter of commendation. 

Developed and delivered insightful board reports on balance sheet items, translating complex financial data into clear and actionable insights for key stakeholders, resulting in improved understanding of financial risks and opportunities.

Healthscope

Senior Accountant

Ownership of Hospitals Head Office business units’ profit and loss accounts - budgets, forecasts and monthly reporting.

Co-ordination and reporting on quarterly hospitals division debtors review and inventory counts.

Collaborate with procurement department to ensure supplier rebates accounted for and maximum benefits received per contractual obligations.

Preparation and submission of monthly and quarterly BAS returns for 4 entities in Group.

Head Office Accountant

Own consultancy business, established to provide professional accounting, reporting, business advisory and taxation services to SME and NFP enterprises unable to accommodate full-time Finance Managers or CFOs

Key achievements & responsibilities:
 - Preparation of annual financial statutory reports in accordance with IFRS for SMEs
 - Performance ratios, liquidity, solvency reviews
 - Actual vs budget variance analysis and commentary for monthly management reports
 - Generate cash flow forecasting models
 - Implementation of internal control procedures 
 - Implementing revenue growth strategies and business diversification proposals
 - Prepare grant applications for funding for NFPs , and monitor /  report spend against funding 
    received
 - Engage in forensic accounting analysis/investigations/data mining and reporting of financial 
   information for 3rd  party liability claims
 - Taxation advice, consulting and submissions of returns for individuals and corporates
 - Submission of statutory returns

New Support Services CC

Virtual CFO / Finance Manager for SMEs and NFPs

Led team of freight accountants in shipping subsidiary , Cape Reefers (Pty) Ltd

Key achievements and responsibilities:
 - Led transfer of business operations from United Kingdom to South Africa
 -  Acting Managing Director when Managing Director absent
 - Primary liaison with external auditors & audit file preparation
 - Preparation of annual budget, and weekly cargo forecasts
 - Reconciliation  & variance analysis of costing program vs financial accounting system, 
 - Conducted feasibility studies for strategic planning of future possible cargo levels
 - Compilation of financial reports for monthly Exco and Board meetings

Capespan

Key achievements & responsibilities: 
 - Reconciliation of intercompany loans upon merger of Unifruco and Outspan to form Capespan
 - Financial accounting function for Servagro (Pty) Ltd, a packing subsidiary of Capespan
 - Supervision of team (3 ) of accounts payable and receivable officers 
 - Preparation of monthly financial reporting pack for Finance Manager review
 - Supervision of inventory counts for packaging subsidiary

Financial Accountant

Key achievements & responsibilities:
 - Weekly transaction reports on fund movements for Portfolio Managers, monthly for Board
 - Year end and interim audit reports
 - Scrip reconciliation of holdings vs custodians records
 - All bank account reconciliations
- Upon resignation, role split into two full time roles - audit & reporting functions

Metropolitan Asset Managers

Investment Accountant and Reporting Specialist

Key achievements & responsibilities:
 - Implementation and use of new software  ( Caseware ) to assist with sampling techniques and exception reporting

Fairheads International Trust Co

Internal Auditor

Assist in training and supervision of new trainee accountants/ audit interns

Senior in Charge / Auditor

Training contract/mentorship under Public Accountants and Auditors Board

Conduct annual audits for compliance of companies with statutory obligations

Contract reduced from 5 years to 4 years, as obtained undergraduate 4 year degree part time in 3 years

Emma Weckesser