Organisation: Trinity College, University of Melbourne
Job Title: Assistant Accountant
Word Limit: 2 pages
Location: University of Melbourne
A tertiary qualification relevant to the role and/or studying toward a CPA
In addition to the completion of my Bachelor of Business Administration (Honours), I have also completed the Master of Applied Commerce (Accounting) at The University of Melbourne in 2009. I am currently studying towards the completion of my CPA accreditation and expect to finish this year.
Extensive work experience in a similar role with specific working knowledge in accounts payable
During the course of my roles at Zinc Financial Group and G.A. Partners, as well as previous roles, I have been responsible for the provision of the accounts payable function. In addition, my roles have included financial data entry, journals and general ledger, financial reporting, company tax and BAS statements and FBT calculations all on behalf of clients. My role within G.A. Partners as a Tax Accountant, involved responsibility for a large volume of bank reconciliations for a range of entities including family trusts, super funds and small businesses. My extensive experience working in similar roles has demonstrated my ability to provide support in a financial capacity for Managers as well as complex financial reporting and management of the fixed asset register during my role at Zinc Financial Group.
As my attached resume indicates, during my role at Zinc Financial Group, I provided a range of generic accounting services as well as responsibility for insurance and investment companies, responsibilities within the accounting firm and within real estate organisations as well.
Sound working knowledge of Accounting systems and principles with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail
Through both my extensive formal learning and my financial working experience, I have developed an exceptional knowledge of accounting systems and principles and have maintained an excellent record for accuracy and attention to detail. I have proven exceptional results within my learning and knowledge around accounting systems and functions throughout. Computer accounting systems I have skills in including MYOB, Quickbooks, HandiSoft and Abicus Attorney.
During my current role as a Financial Planner within the Westpac bank, I have demonstrated my attention to detail in allocating investment requirements on behalf of clients to ensure the transactions are correct. Once these investment options are chosen, there is no reversal and therefore they need to be correct the first time.
Experience in dealing with confidential and sensitive information ensuring discretion, empathy and confidentiality
My current role with Westpac often requires me to deal with sensitive and confidential information around client’s financial situation. There was an elderly woman whom we assisted in rolling over her superannuation a year ago, who came to us recently having financial difficulties. She was too young to withdraw money from her Superannuation; however we assisted her to deal with Centrelink to give her an exemption from these regulations due to her situation. We were able to have the exemption granted to assist her greatly. She was very thankful, however we understood that she would not want to have anyone else finding out about her situation, something we take very seriously.
High level interpersonal and communication skills at all levels within a culturally diverse education community or similar environment
At Westpac, I work with a large amount of Financial Planners, who have been employed under Westpac’s diversity program, all with different backgrounds, ages, cultures and religions. This has demonstrated my skills in working successfully and communicating with a culturally diverse group. In addition, I deal with a broad range of clients, some of which don’t have a good command of the English language as well as varying educational levels. I have the ability to adapt my communication style to suit my audience in verbal and written communication, demonstrated in my responsibility to correspond with planners, clients, bankers, underwriters both via phone and face to face. Within my role, I write a range of reports for each and every client which are tailored according to their situation. To attain my Master of Applied Commerce (Accounting), I was required to submit a large amount of written assignments and reports, resulting in exceptional results also demonstrating my written abilities.
During my undergraduate studies at Shanghai University, I worked for two years within the student administration department assisting with enquiries, selection of courses and assisting teachers and lecturers with arrangements and examinations. I am familiar and comfortable working within an educational environment because of this experience and further study in Australia.
Demonstrated initiative and self-motivation with the capacity to take responsibility for all tasks undertaken
My ability to use initiative has been proven in my current role where I have assisted financial planners by developing extremely complex Excel spreadsheets using complex formulas and pivot tables to allow them to maintain reconciliation spreadsheets where they can find out complete revenue forecasts for the next period. These spreadsheets have significantly increased productivity within my department and planners can now get weekly reporting from this. I routinely go above and beyond what is expected of the responsibilities of my role, and have informed planners of the ways I can further assist them to better their productivity, positive affecting their bottom line. I demonstrated an effective and accountable style as well as the ability to be self-motivated and efficient.
Strong organisational and time management skills with ability to prioritise competing demands and tasks in order to meet deadlines
I possess strong organisational and time management skills and I consistently prioritise my tasks dependant on both their urgency and importance, and often use Outlook in its scheduling capacity to assist me. However, I have found the best way to deal with competing demands and remain efficient in a supporting role is by forming productive relationships with stakeholders including financial partners, clients, referral partners and others. Through a productive, respectful relationship we can form expectations of performance between one another and use our time efficiently.
A capacity for self-motivation, to work effectively as a team member and to contribute to the organisational development for the College
Within Westpac late last year, we underwent a re-structure where all of the Financial Planners were split into a team away from the team of Financial Planning Assistants, of which I am a member. This change was significant for the way we, as assistants, provide support to planners and I have been intrinsic in the process of assisting planners to convert all of their projects and information online so that our team can better assist them. I have provided coaching and training for acceptance of the new structure both within my own team and for planners. In addition, I sat on the implementation team to implement the new online system within Westpac and assisted in its development and usability within the organisation.
Well-developed keyboard skills and computer literacy in MS applications with the ability to learn new systems
I have exceptional and advanced skills in the use of Microsoft products across the board. My skills in MS Excel include complex formula and pivot table work as well as other advanced skills and I use MS Word effectively on a daily basis. MS Word is used for report writing, mail merge, design with images and presentations for printing. In addition, I have strong skills in the use of Outlook for diary and scheduling and email applications, and MS Access for database development. Overall, I have high level skills in the use of CRM systems, Database systems, MS Office applications and Accounting software applications.
I have not only learnt our new system at Westpac, but formed part of the implementation team on the project, and have trained and coached others in the use of the new system. In every role throughout my career, I have learnt and adapted my skills to new systems and am confident of my abilities in this regard.
An understanding of and commitment to compliance of OHS requirements
Within my role at Westpac I have undertaken monthly training sessions of which OHS requirements are a large part. I have a good understanding of the types of issues which can arise within OHS legislation and a range of strategies to avoid these issues coming to fruition. I am an individual who would speak up if I saw an issue contravening any regulations in this regard.
