Sophia Sattar
Manukau,Auckland
Summary
Team-oriented Senior leader with proven leadership and motivational skills successful in helping group members achieve business goals. Respectful and clear communicator focused on enhancing teamwork and collaboratively addressing challenges with logical approaches. Skilled in building relationships and enhancing employee satisfaction to drive work performance. A focused problem-solver dedicated to streamlining operations to decrease costs and promote organizational efficiency. Uses independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success.
Committed to fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement to drive sustained business success.
Over 10 years of experience in Finance, leading and creating high-performing operational teams. Exhibiting and driving strategic efficiencies with a focus on attaining results.
Most recent roles included leading Procure to Pay (P2P) & previously leading the Accounting Services Team, developing team capabilities and skills and create efficiencies, value add P2P function across Australia & New Zealand. Examples of the scale of operations include ~2m invoices processed, ~$8b payments, ~4k corporate cards under management.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
GROUP MANAGER P2P
DOWNER GROUP (SHARED SERVICES AU & NZ)
07.2023 - Current
- Led a team of 4 direct and 80+ indirect employees in Purchase to Pay function across 3 countries (Australia, New Zealand, and India)
- Created vision and direction to promote inclusive work culture
- Conducted regular performance evaluations of staff to ensure delivery of high-quality services and compliance with company policies and procedures
- Identified areas of improvement through regular performance reviews, providing constructive feedback and coaching for team members.
- Assisted with Mergers & Acquisitions decisions
- Optimized resource allocation by identifying underutilized assets and reallocating them effectively within the organization.
- Assisted with ERP implementation and upgrades decision making
- Drove organizational change initiatives that resulted in streamlined operations, improved employee morale, and increased efficiencies throughout the group.
- Managed P&L review and budgeting for P2P functions
- Ensured compliance with regulations and company policies, mitigating risks associated with non-compliance issues.
- Developed successful business strategies for enhanced brand recognition for Purchase to Pay.
- Maintaining an appropriate organization structure and resourcing, setting performance targets, leveraging scale, and effective work management practices
- Shape, develop and execute the P2P strategy in alignment with the overall BSC strategy
- Developed and implemented targeted strategies across the P2P portfolio
- Managed key performance metrics to industry benchmarks, continuously reviewed performance to pursue excellence
- Managed P2P process performance using key metrics that are monitored and tracked using Visual Management Boards
- Manage P2P performance to published KPIs/ Service Level Agreements (SLAs)/ Operating Level Agreements (OLAs), addressing areas of concerns within the function and with key business customers/ stakeholders
- Optimized functional organization design and resourcing deployment and utilization to meet business needs and build sustainable capabilities
- Champion effective change management processes to evolve internal team structures and resourcing requirements in alignment with business plans
- Support developing an agile and flexible workforce, able to change and adapt to changing market requirements and operating environments.
ACCOUNTING SERVICES MANAGER
DOWNER GROUP (SHARED SERVICES AU & NZ)
09.2022 - 07.2023
- Leading a team of 5 direct and 27 indirect employees in various accounting functions including AP, AR, Transaction Services, Fixed Assets, Compliance & Performance reporting
- Triage escalations, working collaboratively with functional leads to critically assess issues and work with them through to resolution
- Established and maintained relationships with key stakeholders to achieve business objectives
- Oversee cash receipting and management of unallocated cash receipts together with Group Treasury.
- Conducted regular performance evaluations for team members, identifying areas for improvement and growth opportunities.
- Disciplined and motivated accounting team to maximize performance.
- Reviewed business operations and obligations to help organization function at acceptable level.
- Analyzed business processes to identify cost savings and operational efficiencies.
- Implemented internal controls to minimize risk of fraud and improve overall financial security.
- Managed a team of accountants, providing guidance and support for their professional development.
- Leveraged finance knowledge to strengthen controls and improve transparency.
- Established effective communication channels between various departments involved in the ERP enhancement, fostering collaboration and teamwork.
- Played a critical role in successful implementation of Concur project, contributing expertise on expense management processes and system requirements.
COMMERCIAL MANAGER
PIRTEK NZ LTD
01.2022 - 09.2022
- Budgeting, financial planning, and expense control activities to ensure compliance with financial regulations and optimize resource utilization
- Leading a team of 7 direct reports
- Used key metrics and prepared reports for senior management to monitor performance of commercial activities.
- Mentoring Accountants
- Monitored competitor activity, utilizing insights to inform strategic planning and decision-making processes.
- Develop and implement strategies to improve customer satisfaction, sales, and revenue growth
- Support Business process improvement
- Provide Business advisory and support to Franchisees
- Manage end-of-month processes
- Review indirect taxes calculations & Returns
- Provide ERP upgrades and Training to Franchisees
- Review sales & P&L Margins.
- Built relationships with clients to establish new contracts.
- Managed budgets and financial reporting, ensuring accurate forecasting and cost control for optimal profitability.
FINANCE MANAGER
METRO PERFORMANCE GLASS
06.2017 - 01.2022
- Perform Month-end and P&L reporting
- Optimized cash flow with diligent monitoring of accounts receivable and payable.
- Lease accounting and fixed asset register management
- Monitored budget and revenue trends, compiling reports for company leadership to inform decision-making.
- Negotiating and implementing loan facilities/syndicates
- Leading the Finance team of AP, AR, and Assistant Accountant
- Treasury duties and cashflow management
- Trained new and existing staff members in various financial procedures to prepare for job requirements.
- Mentored junior finance staff, fostering professional development and strong team dynamics.
- Reviewed and approved capital expenditure requests, aligning with corporate objectives.
- Manage escalated Supplier & Customer queries
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams for strategic business planning and growth initiatives.
- Finance Lead on the ERP Implementation such as D365, Microsoft AX, Fraedom
- Calculation and filing of indirect tax
- Deal with all banking-related queries
- Aid with external auditors.
ASSISTANT ACCOUNTANT
METHVEN (GWA HOLDINGS)
05.2016 - 06.2017
- Handled day-to-day accounting processes to drive financial accuracy.
- Completed daily cashflow functions like account tracking, payroll and wage allocations, budgeting,
- Forecast & Facilitate Foreign payments using CNS Treasury,
- Responsibility of Intercompany reconciliation and forecasting
- Perform month-end processes and accruals
- Maintained accurate records of fixed assets, including acquisition costs, depreciation schedules, and current values for insurance purposes.
- Customer rebate reconciliation with agreed trading terms, preparing customer communications and forecasting
- Credit evaluation
- Assisting with Accounts payable payments process
- Statutory Statistics reporting
- Reviewing GRNI and purchase orders
- Indirect tax declaration (GST, FBT, NWT)
- Reporting & forecasting capital spend, and maintenance of fixed assets register
- Identify and implement project and process efficiencies.
ASSISTANT ACCOUNTANT
TBS GROUP (HELLABY HOLDINGS)
01.2014 - 05.2016
- Processed journal entries and performed accounting on accrual basis.
- Assisted with timely month-end closing procedures, resulting in accurate financial reporting.
- Managed high volume of invoices, prioritizing payment schedules to optimize cash flow and maintain strong vendor relations.
- Streamlined payroll processes by implementing automated systems, resulting in increased efficiency and accuracy.
- Assisted in payroll processing, ensuring accurate and timely payments to employees.
- Enhanced payroll accuracy by implementing thorough auditing and reconciliation processes.
- Enhanced payroll tax compliance by implementing updated policies and procedures.
- Monitored status of accounts receivable and payable to facilitate prompt processing.
- Maintained detailed financial records of accounts receivable and payable status and bank reconciliations.
- Resolved customer disputes and disagreements through professional, calm communication to find mutually beneficial solutions.
- Collected on delinquent accounts to reduce overdue Debtor balances.
PAYROLL & ACCOUNTS ADMINISTRATOR
THE GOOD GUYS GROUP
11.2010 - 01.2014
- Maintained accurate records of all transactions, ensuring compliance with company guidelines and local regulations.
- Developed effective relationships with key stakeholders, including clients, vendors, bankers, auditors, improving communication flow within organization.
- Collaborated with other departments to resolve accounting discrepancies and maintain cohesive financial environment.
- Encouraged networking and collaboration across functions and businesses.
- Simplified month-end closing process by creating detailed reconciliation reports for management review.
- Facilitated prompt vendor payments by verifying invoices, obtaining approvals, and processing checks in a timely manner.
- Matched purchase orders with invoices and recorded necessary information.
- Managed and responded to correspondence and inquiries from customers and vendors.
- Supported management by processing invoices and documents with consistent on-time delivery.
Education
MBA - Business Management
Massey University
Auckland, NZ12.2026
Post Graduate - Chartered Accountant
Chartered Accountant Australia & New Zea
Auckland, NZ01.2019
Bachelor of Arts - Accounting
Manukau Institute of Technology
Auckland, AUK01.2012
Diploma in Management -
Manukau Institute of Technology
Auckland, AUK01.2011
Diploma in Business -
Manukau Institute of Technology
Auckland, AUK01.2007
Skills
- Operations Management
- Strategic Planning
- Financial Acumen
- Continuous Improvement
- Team Leadership
System Knowledge
- Microsoft AX
- Dynamics 365
- GP
- JDE (JDEGS, 9.1, 9.0)
- MYOB
- XERO
- Power Business
- Jobpac
- SAP
- Concur
- Wensoft Job Costing
- Fraedom
- Tax Lab
- Syteline
- Coupa
- Kofax
References
Available upon request
Hobbies and Interests
I love spending my spare time with my family. However, I accommodate listening to Podcasts and TED talks. I Love self-developing and learning new things.
Timeline
GROUP MANAGER P2P
DOWNER GROUP (SHARED SERVICES AU & NZ)
07.2023 - Current
ACCOUNTING SERVICES MANAGER
DOWNER GROUP (SHARED SERVICES AU & NZ)
09.2022 - 07.2023
COMMERCIAL MANAGER
PIRTEK NZ LTD
01.2022 - 09.2022
FINANCE MANAGER
METRO PERFORMANCE GLASS
06.2017 - 01.2022
ASSISTANT ACCOUNTANT
METHVEN (GWA HOLDINGS)
05.2016 - 06.2017
ASSISTANT ACCOUNTANT
TBS GROUP (HELLABY HOLDINGS)
01.2014 - 05.2016
PAYROLL & ACCOUNTS ADMINISTRATOR
THE GOOD GUYS GROUP
11.2010 - 01.2014
MBA - Business Management
Massey University
Post Graduate - Chartered Accountant
Chartered Accountant Australia & New Zea
Bachelor of Arts - Accounting
Manukau Institute of Technology
Diploma in Management -
Manukau Institute of Technology
Diploma in Business -
Manukau Institute of Technology
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