Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Alisha Townsend

Summary

Finance professional with comprehensive background in financial analysis and business strategy. Known for delivering actionable insights that drive business performance and supporting organizational growth through effective financial management. Highly collaborative, adaptable, and results-driven, with strong skills in budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.

Overview

17
17
years of professional experience

Work History

Finance Business Partner

Ryman Healthcare
03.2023 - Current
  • Streamlined budgeting processes for increased efficiency and improved accuracy in financial forecasting.
  • Prepared monthly reporting and variance analysis for management review.
  • Developed relationships across multiple stakeholders and streamlined processes for teams outside of Finance.

Finance Manager

SPCA New Zealand
05.2019 - 02.2023
  • Leading a team of nine, with five direct reports.
  • Preparing the year end financials, liaising with auditors and meeting compliance requirements with relevant accounting standards.
  • Continuously driving improvements in the Finance team through efficiencies and developing control procedures.
  • Streamlined month-end close process, reducing time spent on manual tasks and improving data accuracy.


Management Accountant

RNZSPCA
01.2014 - 04.2019
  • Preparing monthly management reports and year-end financials, providing analysis and support for the senior management team, providing budgeting support, compliance with IRD requirements, accounting advice to the smaller SPCA Centre's, monthly and weekly payroll processing, management of the Accounts Assistant role
  • Role began as the Assistant Accountant and was internally promoted to a newly created role of Management Accountant, upon completion of my Chartered Accountant papers with NZICA
  • Presenting at the most recent SPCA conference about the changes to the Financial Reporting Act2013

Assistant Accountant

Indigo Brands Ltd
03.2012 - 12.2013
  • Company Overview: Indigo Brands is an Importer, Wholesaler and Retailer of High end fashion clothing
  • Some of the well-known brands include Diesel, Maison Scotch and Gaudi
  • Daily bank reconciliations, accounts receivable and payable management, weekly debtors reports, monthly sales reports, credit control and credit checks on new customers, reconciling general ledger accounts, payroll, month end creditor batching, managing intercompany balances, producing reports for Management, any other ad hoc tasks
  • While at Indigo Brands the amount of aged debtors in90+ days has dropped by approximately75%
  • Implemented emailing the monthly debtors statements

Seminar Accounts/Administrator

Hattaway & Associates Ltd
02.2011 - 03.2012
  • Administrative duties consisted of organising seminars and registering attendees
  • Accounts duties included bank reconciliations in multiple currencies, accounts payable and receivable
  • Also, GST returns in both New Zealand and Australia in this sole charge position

Weekend Supervisor

Coffee Culture
01.2008 - 02.2011

Education

Chartered Accountant -

New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants

B.Com - Accounting and Taxation

University of Canterbury

NCEA level1,2 and3 - undefined

Christchurch Girls High School

Skills

  • Excel (intermediate/advanced)
  • Word (intermediate)
  • PowerPoint (intermediate)
  • MYOB (intermediate)
  • Power BI (beginner)
  • Xero (advanced)
  • Analytical
  • Efficient
  • Task orientated
  • Excellent communicator
  • Team player

Timeline

Finance Business Partner

Ryman Healthcare
03.2023 - Current

Finance Manager

SPCA New Zealand
05.2019 - 02.2023

Management Accountant

RNZSPCA
01.2014 - 04.2019

Assistant Accountant

Indigo Brands Ltd
03.2012 - 12.2013

Seminar Accounts/Administrator

Hattaway & Associates Ltd
02.2011 - 03.2012

Weekend Supervisor

Coffee Culture
01.2008 - 02.2011

B.Com - Accounting and Taxation

University of Canterbury

NCEA level1,2 and3 - undefined

Christchurch Girls High School

Chartered Accountant -

New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants
Alisha Townsend