Kelly Ash
Patutahi,Teneriffe
Summary
Strategic and detail-oriented finance professional with experience across corporate, government, and not-for-profit sectors. Proven expertise in cost control, project accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting. Adept at embedding financial governance within project and operational teams and ensuring compliance with financial procedures. Experienced in overseeing project control activities, streamlining processes, and delivering board-level insights. Holds Chartered Accountant (CAANZ) designation and PRINCE2 certification.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Finance Business Partner Manager
Auckland UniServices Ltd (University of Auckland)
06.2024 - Current
- UniServices Limited facilitates the conversion of academic research into commercial business structures. Turnover $100 mil per annum.
- Finance Business Partner (Nov 2021 – Jun 2024), Promoted to manager in June 2024.
- Delivered end-to-end financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting across 8+ business units with complex stakeholder environments.
- Streamlined budgeting processes for increased efficiency and improved accuracy in financial forecasting
- Cross-functional work with procurement and legal for contract and budget review.
- Produced board-level reporting, strategic modelling, and scenario analysis to support executive decision-making; regular engagement with CEO, CFO, Executive Directors, and Operational Leaders.
- Managed and developed a team of 6 finance professionals across Business Partnering and Project Accounting & FP&A.
- Finance lead for key transformation projects, including the implementation of Oracle PeopleSoft, Workday Adaptive Planning, and Expense Management implementations.
- Embedded financial insight into operational planning, including establishing workforce planning protocols across business units.
- Recognised for communicating complex financials to operational managers and non-financial health and research stakeholders.
- Mentored finance team members, fostering professional development and enhancing individual capabilities for career advancement within the organization.
Senior Client Accountant and Manager
Perpetual Guardian
05.2020 - 11.2021
- Company Overview: Large financial services company specializing in investment advisory and philanthropic services, estate planning, wills, trusts, and enduring powers of attorney, intergenerational wealth transfer, and supporting charitable causes.
- Produced Tier 2/3 not-for-profit compliant financials and tax returns for trust, foreign trust, charitable, and estate client portfolios.
- Created executive dashboards and reporting packs.
- Acted as audit lead and SME on financial systems and GAAP compliance.
- Provided complex tax advice and GAAP compliance advice.
- Streamlined accounting processes for increased efficiency and reduced errors.
- Enhanced client satisfaction by providing timely and accurate financial reports.
Senior Manager
VGA Chartered Accountants
10.2017 - 05.2020
- Managed a portfolio of 150+ clients across diverse industries.
- Delivered compliance, advisory, forecasting, valuations, and due diligence services.
- Led cross-functional teams to achieve project milestones and deliver high-quality results.
Business Improvement & Project Accounting
Thames-Coromandel District Council
10.2015 - 10.2017
- Supported CAPEX/OPEX projects and financial governance.
- Partnered with infrastructure (roading, water, and waste) and property leaders on financial planning and reporting; finance and project partner to the Deputy CEO.
- Complex contract analysis and tracking.
- Member of the Business Improvement team. Developed financial requirements for Project Management Office creation.
- NPV/ROI analysis. Business Case development and review.
- Stakeholder management in a highly political environment
- Commended for the improvement of the financial and commercial acumen of stakeholders.
Branch Manager
Cooper Aitken Ltd
10.2014 - 10.2015
- Company Overview: Largest professional services rural accounting firm in Waikato, New Zealand.
- Sole charge of a branch with a $1.2M fee base; managed eight direct reports.
- Delivered full financial advisory services to predominantly commercial and farming clients.
Manager / Accountant
Business One Ltd
04.2005 - 10.2015
- Company Overview: Three-partner public practice accounting and financial planning firm.
- Progressed from Junior Accountant to Senior Manager.
- Led financial compliance, strategic tax planning, and advisory for SMEs.
- Co-led a team of 12 and streamlined practice operations.
Education
Chartered Accountant -
CAANZ
Leadership Development Program -
Mantle Consulting
PRINCE2 Foundation Certification - undefined
ILX Group
Graduate Diploma in Business - Professional Accounting
Open Polytechnic
Bachelor of Business - undefined
Open Polytechnic
Environmental Planning & Resource Management - undefined
Waikato University
Skills
Financial management
- Budgeting
- Forecasting
- Variance Analysis
- Collaborative Leadership
- Financial analysis and reporting
- Reporting Standards
- Stakeholder relationship management
- Operations management
- Project Governance
- Change Management
- ERP Systems: PeopleSoft, Workday, TechnologyOne, JDE
- Advanced Excel; Excellent Power BI, Word, Visio
Certification
- Chartered Accountant (CAANZ) – Member since 2008 (NZ Public Practice Certificate)
- Graduate Diploma in Business (Professional Accounting) – Open Polytechnic
- Bachelor of Business – Open Polytechnic
- PRINCE2 Foundation Certification – ILX Group
- Leadership Development Program – Mantle Consulting
- Environmental Planning & Resource Management – Waikato University (papers only)
Timeline
Finance Business Partner Manager
Auckland UniServices Ltd (University of Auckland)
06.2024 - Current
Senior Client Accountant and Manager
Perpetual Guardian
05.2020 - 11.2021
Senior Manager
VGA Chartered Accountants
10.2017 - 05.2020
Business Improvement & Project Accounting
Thames-Coromandel District Council
10.2015 - 10.2017
Branch Manager
Cooper Aitken Ltd
10.2014 - 10.2015
Manager / Accountant
Business One Ltd
04.2005 - 10.2015
PRINCE2 Foundation Certification - undefined
ILX Group
Graduate Diploma in Business - Professional Accounting
Open Polytechnic
Bachelor of Business - undefined
Open Polytechnic
Environmental Planning & Resource Management - undefined
Waikato University
Chartered Accountant -
CAANZ
Leadership Development Program -
Mantle Consulting
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