Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
References
Hobbies and Interests
Personal Information
Timeline
Generic

Vanessa Coles

Timaru,CAN

Summary

Professional accounting leader with focus on financial accuracy, regulatory compliance, and team collaboration. Skilled in budgeting, financial reporting, and process optimisation. Reliable team player adaptable to evolving business needs and committed to achieving organizational goals. Strong analytical abilities and strategic mindset enhance decision-making and performance.

Overview

24
24
years of professional experience

Work History

Accounting Manager

Barkers Fruit Processors Ltd
07.2024 - Current
  • Analyzed and reported on financial data to support business decisions.
  • Achieved timely financial reporting through diligent preparation and analysis of monthly, quarterly, and annual reports.
  • Optimized cash flow management through careful analysis of accounts receivable, accounts payable, inventory levels, and working capital requirements.
  • Conducted detailed variance analyses to identify areas of improvement in financial performance.

Group Financial Controller

GRAINSTOR / FARMERS MILL / SEEDLANDS GROUP
03.2022 - 07.2024
  • I was asked to return to the Group in 2022 after my predecessor left
  • Roles and duties unchanged from the role in 2013-2019

Chief Financial Officer

TODD MUDIE GROUP LTD
03.2022 - 03.2023
  • Prepared thorough management reports, commentaries and financial statements.
  • Developed comprehensive financial reports for senior management and a board pack for the board of directors
  • Supported executive-level decision making through the development of clear KPIs, financial metrics and dashboards.
  • Oversaw budgets, payroll, and accounts payable and receivable.
  • Led organisational cash flow and cash flow forecasting initiatives.
  • Conducted variance analyses between actual results and forecasts, identifying areas of improvement for future budgeting cycles.
  • Ensured timely invoicing and collection of receivables, contributing to positive cash flow management.
  • Monitored contract/job progress by comparing actual costs against original estimates, alerting stakeholders about potential issues or deviations from budgets.

Management Accountant

DAN COSGROVE 2014 LTD
01.2019 - 03.2022
  • Prepared thorough reports, commentaries and financial statements.
  • Completed biweekly payroll and maintained employee records.
  • Audited bill of materials to accurately account for product costs.
  • Kept accurate records of completed projects, materials used, and time spent on tasks for efficient inventory management and job costing purposes.
  • Enhanced team collaboration by facilitating weekly meetings and providing clear communication channels.
  • Improved cash flow management with precise forecasting and budget analysis techniques.
  • Oversaw accounts receivable and accounts payable functions

Group Financial Controller

GRAINSTOR / FARMERS MILL / SEEDLANDS GROUP
01.2013 - 01.2019
  • Overseeing all aspects of financial control in the business for 3 companies.
  • Managed month-end closing activities efficiently, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting.
  • Prepared monthly financial packs for the board of directors, including detailed financial analysis, KPIs and dashboards
  • Attended the monthly board meetings and participated by presenting and talking to the financial results.
  • Developed annual budgets and quarterly reforecasts
  • Calculated labor and overhead rates, quarterly updating costs.
  • Set up and improved accounting systems and processes to meet business needs and maximise operational success.
  • Served as a strategic business partner to senior leadership by providing valuable financial insights, recommendations for improvement and accurate financial information necessary for decision-making processes.
  • Optimized cash flow management with effective forecasting, budgeting, and reporting systems.
  • Championed process improvements initiatives within the finance department, driving efficiency gains and reducing operational costs.
  • Collaborated with external auditors during annual audit processes, ensuring timely completion and accurate representation of the company''s financial position.
  • Managed payroll for approximately 50 employees

Senior Accountant

QUANTUM ADVANTAGE LTD
01.2012 - 01.2013
  • Business advisory
  • Preparation of monthly management accounts for clients
  • Special projects; setting up in-house systems
  • Implementing systems improvements
  • "Fix ups", visiting clients to fix problems with accounting software and training clients on MYOB, Cash Manager and Xero
  • Budget preparation and cash flow forecasts
  • Preparation of financial statements to review stage including farm accounts, small to medium businesses and large consolidated entities

Senior Accountant

MITCHELL MCCLEARY
01.2006 - 01.2012
  • Preparation of financial statements to review stage
  • Taxation returns incl GST, FBT
  • Payroll
  • Auditing small to medium businesses
  • Preparation of monthly and two monthly accounts
  • Budget preparation
  • Training new staff members

Administrator

WALLACE & COOPER LTD
01.2003 - 01.2006
  • Accounts Payable
  • Accounts Receivable
  • Job costing, timesheet entry
  • Stock management
  • General office duties

Administrator

AORAKI REAL ESTATE LTD
01.2001 - 01.2003
  • Reception
  • Preparing office flyers and window cards
  • General office duties

Education

Bachelor of Business - Accounting

OPEN POLYTECHNIC

Associate Chartered Accountant -

NZ INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

Emerging Leaders Scholarship -

NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT

Excel Data Analysis & Reporting
ACE TRAINING LTD
06.2021

Excel Essential Skills
ACE TRAINING LTD
03.2021

Skills

  • General ledger accounting
  • Bank account reconciliations
  • Finance
  • Payroll
  • Closing procedures
  • Month-end reporting
  • Cost accounting
  • Budget projections
  • Financial statement presentations
  • Meticulous attention to detail
  • Accounting solutions integration
  • Recruitment and hiring
  • Team Management
  • Strategic Planning
  • Financial Modeling
  • Performance Metrics

References

  • Rebecca Campbell, Change Manager, Barkers Fruit Processors Ltd, 027 564 1812
  • Craig Coote, Former General Manager of Seedlands, Grainstor, Farmers Mill Group, 021 841 478
  • Cath Booth, Partner at Solve CA (formally Quantum Advantage Ltd), 021 293 5223
  • Mat Keys, National Sales Manager, Farmers Mill Ltd, 027 285 0048

Hobbies and Interests

  • Camping
  • Boating, waterskiing
  • Hiking
  • Family activities

Personal Information

Date of Birth: 27/03/1984

Timeline

Accounting Manager

Barkers Fruit Processors Ltd
07.2024 - Current

Chief Financial Officer

TODD MUDIE GROUP LTD
03.2022 - 03.2023

Group Financial Controller

GRAINSTOR / FARMERS MILL / SEEDLANDS GROUP
03.2022 - 07.2024

Management Accountant

DAN COSGROVE 2014 LTD
01.2019 - 03.2022

Group Financial Controller

GRAINSTOR / FARMERS MILL / SEEDLANDS GROUP
01.2013 - 01.2019

Senior Accountant

QUANTUM ADVANTAGE LTD
01.2012 - 01.2013

Senior Accountant

MITCHELL MCCLEARY
01.2006 - 01.2012

Administrator

WALLACE & COOPER LTD
01.2003 - 01.2006

Administrator

AORAKI REAL ESTATE LTD
01.2001 - 01.2003

Bachelor of Business - Accounting

OPEN POLYTECHNIC

Associate Chartered Accountant -

NZ INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

Emerging Leaders Scholarship -

NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT

Excel Data Analysis & Reporting

Excel Essential Skills

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