print page
Expertise > Experiences

CFO Strategic Partners have a wealth of experience in a broad range of industries.

Start-up - Growth - Re-structure - Acquisition - Divestment - Efficiency - Insolvency

 Details of the key achievements for each initiative or project appear below the table and can be navigated by clicking on the link.
INDUSTRY PROJECT / INITIATIVE
Accounting Professional Practices Productivity, workflow, fee structuring and reporting improvements resulting in 50% cashflow improvement.
Advertising Restructure finance function and reporting for incoming public company owners.
Agricultural Technology Implement turn-around plan, establish reporting for Board of Directors and management, ongoing company secretarial role and CFO role. Preparation for trade sale and due diligence.
ASX Listed companies Provide CFO and Company Secretary services, management of compliance with ASX listing rules and other corporate governance requirements.
Automotive Products (ASX Listed) CFO Services, acquisition integration, restructure financial systems and management and statutory reporting.
Banking (ASX Listed) Select and implement finance system, establish reporting, forecasting, procedures, controls and processes. Strategic pricing analysis.
Banking IT Development Develop and implement financial control infrastructure systems for UK & Global £50m business.
Beverage Manufacturer Reporting to Board and Private Equity Investors improved. CFO support to CEO. Monthly reporting systems and procedures.
Biotechnology (ASX Listed)
Nutra/Pharmaceutical, Therapeutic		 Company Secretarial and CFO functions re-engineered and managed adequate reporting systems, compliance, reporting and governance.
Construction (ASX Listed) Implement recovery strategy for business owners. Renegotiate contracts to ensure profitability.
Email Marketing Financial modelling, analysis and Information Memorandum documentation for Trade Sale.
Equipment Hire Profitability and performance improvement through revenue increase of 135% over a twelve month period.
Fashion Manufacturer and Importer Prepare and manage company through the process to obtain private equity funding to support the next growth phase.
Financial Transaction Processing and Software
development Company (Small Cap ASX Listed)		 Report to Board of Directors and Bank on the status of the business, variance to original budgets, recommendations to rectify variances and breach of bank covenants.
Forensic Accounting Practice Established Practice and grew to 12 staff.
Fund Management (ASX Listed) Build investment administration back office functionality for $10bn funds under management.
Gaming software & hardware
manufacturer and wholesaler		 Competitor acquisition $180m & Secure $150m funding.
Hairdressing Group Sale of 134 salons and schools.
Health Care Products Retailer Profitability and operational efficiency improvements.
Hospitality Board and Private Equity Investor Reporting of key issues. Commercial and mentoring expertise to management and new CFO.
Industrial Sales & Distribution
(Private Equity Fund Acquisition)		 Completion accounts, set up new GL and reporting system (incl governance), evaluated and recommended ERP system. $300k stamp duty saving achieved. Recruited new CFO.
Internet Service Provider Joint Venture establishment $110m & integrate additional partner $46m.
Manufacturer and Wholesaler Corporate restructure $6.8m saving.
Marine Towage and Services Project manage corporate simplification to reduce group structure by 28 entities.
Media Multinational Negotiate settlement CAN $100m.
Mining Business set up, contract negotiation and secure financing.
Not-for-Profit Board governance improvements.
Pharmaceutical/Cosmetics Governance, operational and finance function re-organisation.
Professional Practice Cashflow improvement of 50% resulting from productivity, workflow, fee structuring and reporting improvements.
Property Establish formal Board reports & new project debt facilities. Select & implement new general ledger system and new effective entity structures.
Property Development Construction of resort $300m.
Renewable Energy Fund raising process. Ongoing mentor to Financial Controller. Reviewed and restructured financial reporting systems for management.
Retail Commercial Property Management an sale of suburban shopping centre $3m.
Retail - IT and Finance functions outsource Establish financial control, reporting systems and management processes for US$300m outsource deal for IT & Finance.
Scaffold Hirer (ASX Listed) Restructuring and business turnaround. Return to profitability while growing the business to 3 times size.
Software Development Business turnaround - institute stringent fiscal controls to create profitable sustainable business model.
Software and training (Private Owned and
Voluntary Administrator)		 Turnaround from insolvency pre/during/after voluntary administration to return to profitability including a $3m capital raising for a company.
Technology Start-up Establish Australian head office & UK office, raise seed & growth capital $10m.
Telecommunications International Group Reduced capital spend by 30% ensuring cash flow control.
Telecommunications Technology Start-Up Establish all financial control and management reporting systems and train accounting team.
Telecommunications Technology Growth Company Information Memorandum and data room created. Advice and support through negotiations with angel and venture capital investors.

Accounting Professional Practice (Local Partnership)
INITIATIVE/PROJECT: - Identify inefficiencies in the cycle of WIP/Billings/Debtors/Collections.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Assisted the partners by attaining improved cash flow - increased by 50%.
• Set fee revenue and productivity targets and implemented new fee structures.
• Co-ordinated work flow between staff and partners
• Co-ordinated reports to measure productivity, billings and collections.
• Coached staff and partners towards higher performance Advertising (Aust Private subsidiary Aust listed)
INITIATIVE/PROJECT: Reorganise finance function to satisfy new and sophisticated public company shareholders
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Reorganise finance and credit departments
• Implementation of financial reporting and analysis tools
• Establish budget in extremely short timeframe
• Reduce month end timeframe by half Agricultural Technology (Aust & US – Private Equity)
INITIATIVE/PROJECT: Establish consolidated reporting framework. Analysis and report to board on financial issues.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Consolidate financial accounts for Board and implement reporting framework
• Produce timely and relevant management reports for US and Australian operations
• Clean up accounting operations, mentor and support existing finance staff ASX Listed companies
Provide CFO and Company Secretary services, management of compliance with ASX listing rules and other corporate governance requirements. Automotive Products (ASX Listed)
INITIATIVE/PROJECT: CFO Services, acquisition integration, restructure financial systems and management and statutory reporting. Banking (ASX Listed)
INITIATIVE/PROJECT: Establish governance, operational and strong financial controls and procedures and refinance wholesale debt facilities
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Implemented formal Board reporting
• Strategic input to product analysis and pricing
• Renegotiation of wholesale debt facilities, including new facilities
• Implementation of financial systems to establish forecasting and reporting and reduced standard management reporting time
• Selection and implementation of a new general ledger system
• Negotiated favourable GST dispute outcome with the ATO Banking – IT Development (UK Listed)
INITIATIVE/PROJECT: Develop reporting systems; implement financial controls & prepare UK & Global budgets for IT development, annual local budget £50m.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Co-ordinated process to calculate high level and detailed local £50m budget.
• Developed new monthly reports to provide consolidated year to date costs and variances to Plan. Initiated process for full year forecasting and reporting
• Monitored and controlled major project expenditure
• Restructured UK IT development cost centres to allow greater accountability within department groups & projects Beverage Manufacturer (Australian Private)
INITIATIVE/PROJECT: Review and enhance monthly reporting and board reporting process
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Reviewed procedures and provided report to Board and Private Equity Investors
• Developed accounting policies and month end procedures
• Significantly enhanced robustness of monthly reporting
• Provided additional non-financial reporting for management
• Streamlined and reduced workload on accounting team Biotech Device (Aust Listed)
INITIATIVE/PROJECT: Develop the CFO role and assist the company in its off shore expansion.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Implement reporting and management systems.
• Develop and implement full year forecasting and budgeting.
• Provide market and product analysis.
• Assist in offshore expansion, set up overseas structures and methods of operation.
• Ongoing CFO role and staff mentoring Construction (Aust Private)
INITIATIVE/PROJECT: Evaluate and re-negotiate construction and steel fabrication contracts to ensure ongoing profitability
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Analysis of current contracts
• Re-negotiate contracts with potential ensuring all ongoing contracts became profitable
• Re-organise employees, unions, subcontractors and suppliers to ensure on-time within budget delivery
• Re-establish bank relationships Construction (Aust Private)
INITIATIVE/PROJECT: Expert witness Supreme Court
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Provide expert witness testimony
• Establish financial position of company to satisfaction of the Court Email Marketing
INITIATIVE/PROJECT: Financial Modelling, Analysis and Information Memorandum Documentation for Trade Sale
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Restructured historical reporting to facilitate comparison to forecasts
• Developed a four year forecast model
• Performed sensitivity analysis to forecast model
• Compiled the financial summary for the Information Memorandum Equipment Hire (Australian Private)
INITIATIVE/PROJECT: – Profitability and Performance improvement
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Assisted the owners to improved revenues by 135% over a twelve month period.
• Calculation of break even point and analysis of fixed and variable costs.
• Identified and developed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) understanding and reporting.
• Coached staff and proprietor on business performance strategies. Fashion Manufacturer (UK Private)
INITIATIVE/PROJECT: Business Reorganisation
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Evaluated business position and prospects
• Re-established Bank support
• Developed internal management processes
• 'Hold your hand' relationship established with senior management for 12 months post restructure Fashion Manufacturer (High Street Label) (Aust Private seeking Private Equity)
INITIATIVE/PROJECT: CFO Services to prepare business to attract investors for next growth phase
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Prepared report to facilitate discussions between private equity capital and business regarding commercial and operational issues
• Restructured reporting (historical/budget and forecast) to facilitate comparison to industry leaders
• Reviewed accounting treatments and policies to establish useful brand and entity analysis Financial Transaction Processing and Software development Company (Australian Small Cap Listed Public Company)
INITIATIVE/PROJECT: Report to Board of Directors and Bank on breach of bank covenants, the status of the business and variance to original budgets and recommendations to rectify variances.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Counselled new CEO on corporate governance issues and solutions
• Established budgets that were acceptable to all interested parties and developed board and management reporting systems.
• Conducted a detailed review of processes and systems for all divisions, systems development, and financial processes outlining weaknesses and improvements to those systems.
• Commenced implementation of improvements.
• Completed statutory reporting and lodged annual report with ASX.
• Worked with CEO in recruiting new CFO. Forensic Accounting Practice (International Partnership)
INITIATIVE/PROJECT – Establish and grow a forensic accountancy practice from one sole employee to a staff of twelve with turnover normally associated with a 2 partner practice.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Established reputation amongst legal fraternity, insurance industry and peers from a zero client base.
• Developed successful marketing strategies and client relationship management strategies.
• Established high profile of firm by having articles published and obtaining speaking engagements.
• Recruited and developed staff.
• Devised quality control procedures unique to the needs of forensic accounting practices.
• Inaugural co-chairman of the ICAA Forensic Accounting Special Interest Group Funds Management (ASX Listed)
INITIATIVE/PROJECT: Build investment administration back office functionality for Fund Manager with $10bn FUM
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Assisted with the selection of a suitable investment administration system
• Built system to automate unit pricing and valuations for all assets classes
• Built system to capture accounting and taxation balances for calculating fund distributions and preparing fund accounts
• Built interfaces between investment administration system and other systems
• Built unit pricing team from 5 to 30 within 12 months Gaming Manufacturer (Aust Private and NZ subsidiary of US Listed)
INITIATIVE/PROJECT: Competitor Acquisition value $180m
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Perform due diligence
• Negotiate purchase contract
• Secure $180m funding
• Implementation of merged operations Hairdressing (European Private)
INITIATIVE/PROJECT: Swift sale of Business - 2 weeks
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Evaluate Business operations of 130 salons and 4 training schools
• Negotiate 5 contracts for transfer of business to 3rd parties within 2 weeks
• Ensure continued trading of more than 80% of operations Health Care Products Retailer (Australian Private)
INITIATIVE/PROJECT: Improved gross profit margins and streamlining of business
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Analysed sales and profit margins by product line over a two year period.
• Identified slow and non-profitable product lines.
• Identified highest margin and highest volume product lines.
• Established Key Performance Indicators.
• Compared performance to industry benchmarks.
• Assisted with clearance of obsolete stock. Hospitality (Australian Private)
INITIATIVE/PROJECT: Reviewed monthly reporting and board reporting process
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Reviewed procedures and provided report to Board and Private Equity Investors
• Provided Board with a better insight into the financial position of the Group and a series of recommendations regarding required development
• Provided on-going sounding board and mentoring to new permanent CFO Industrial Sales & Distribution Company (Acquisition by Australian Private Equity Fund)
INITIATIVE/PROJECT: Completion Accounts, set up new general ledger and reporting system and format. (Turnover $30m)
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Created sales, management and board reporting for company, including governance.
• Established budgeting and forecasting systems to the business.
• Reviewed all systems and processes and evaluated new ERP systems for business, including report to board of directors.
• Worked with CEO in recruiting new CFO.
• Stamp Duty savings through analysis of $300k Internet Service Provider (Aust Private of Aust/NZ/US Listed)
INITIATIVE/PROJECT: Joint Venture Establishment value $110m and integrate additional partner $46m
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Negotiate terms to satisfy diverse shareholders in Internet, Telecommunications and Media industries
• Value business and establish position for goodwill, investments and losses
• Establish contract terms to ensure optimal taxation (direct and indirect) and accounting treatments for the joint venture and the incoming and outgoing stakeholders
• Implement operational contractual terms with no adverse impact to business Manufacturing (Aust Private and NZ subsidiary of US Listed)
INITIATIVE/PROJECT: Corporate Restructure $6.8m saving
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Establish optimal structure for outgoing sales tax and incoming GST purposes 12 months ahead of GST introduction
• Obtain specific ATO agreement to actions Marine Towage and Services (Aust Listed)
INITIATIVE/PROJECT: Project Manage corporate structure simplification initiative for 28 entities
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Co-ordinate activities with 5 branch accountants, company secretarial, legal, tax manager, financial controller and head office accountants and ensure all parties kept well informed of progress.
• Identify, manage, document and complete all necessary closeout of accounting, taxation (direct and indirect), company secretarial, legal and pre liquidation issues
• Establish communication and relationship with prospective liquidator to ensure tasks satisfactorily completed for their purposes.
• Established good rapport with all parties Media Multinational (UK & US dual listing)
INITIATIVE/PROJECT: Negotiate CAN$100m settlement
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Liaise with UK, US, and Canadian financiers and legal representatives to ensure compliance in all jurisdictions
• Negotiate satisfactory outcome for all stakeholders Mining – quartz arenite (Aust Private)
INITIATIVE/PROJECT: Business establishment, contract negotiation and secure financing.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Complete viability analysis and business plans
• Complete Private placement memorandums to secured seed financing and capital equipment financing
• Completed successful negotiations for mining rights
• Strategic planning and advice on growth initiatives, exporting
• Management of finance operations and expenditure controls. Not for profit
INITIATIVE/PROJECT: Board governance improvements Pharmaceuticals/Cosmetics (Aust Private of Danish Listed)
INITIATIVE/PROJECT: Establish governance, operational and strong financial controls and procedures
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Counselled new CEO on corporate governance issues and solutions
• Strategic input to product analysis and pricing
• Implementation of financial systems to establish forecasting and reporting and halved standard management reporting time
• Complete statutory reporting and achieve clean audit report
• Taxation savings through transfer pricing initiatives $100k Professional Practice
INITIATIVE/PROJECT: Cashflow improvement of 50% resulting from productivity, workflow, fee structuring and reporting improvements. Property
INITIATIVE/PROJECT: Establish governance, operational and strong financial controls and procedures and refinance project finance facilities
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Implemented formal Board reporting
• Renegotiation of project debt facilities, including new facilities
• Implementation of financial systems to establish forecasting and reporting for projects
• Selection and implementation of a new general ledger system
• Restructured property entity structures to minimise GST, stamp and other duties and sales Property Development (Aust Listed)
INITIATIVE/PROJECT: Queensland Tourist Resort built value $300m
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Site and Subcontractor Negotiations and Management
• Implementation of Project Management Financial Systems
• Manage day-to-day site operations with no adverse impact from various actions including injunctions, contract disputes and industrial actions Renewable Energy (Australian Private)
INITIATIVE/PROJECT: Part-time CFO
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Reviewed and restructured financial reporting
• Developed and enhanced monthly accounting and reporting procedures
• Provide on-going advice and guidance to management
• Assisted in raising significant funds under Australian Government R&D Tax Concession scheme Retail Commercial Property (Aust Private)
INITIATIVE/PROJECT: Sale of suburban shopping centre $3m
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Refurbishment to meet building legislation
• Secured major and minor tenants
• Centre management for 2 years
• Negotiation and subsequent sale of business Retail – IT & Finance Outsource
INITIATIVE/PROJECT: Establish financial control, reporting systems and management processes for US$300m outsource deal for IT & Finance.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Initial deal analysis, due diligence and planning for sign over
• Established forecasting and reporting models & accounting processes
• Designed and presented monthly reporting for ytd actual costs and full year billing forecasts
• Supported re-engineering & transition teams Scaffold Hirer (ASX Listed)
INITIATIVE/PROJECT: Restructuring and business turnaround. Return to profitability while growing the business to 3 times size. Software Developer (Multinational - European Listed)
INITIATIVE/PROJECT: Corporate Restructure of major corporation operating in 16 countries
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Evaluate profitable areas of the business
• Exit unprofitable areas of distribution and development
• Reorganise including downsizing complying with industrial relations laws in all jurisdictions
• Implementation of stringent subsidiary monitoring systems Software Development Company (Aust / NZ / USA)
INITIATIVE/PROJECT: Business turnaround - institute stringent fiscal controls to create profitable sustainable business model.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Secured short term funding and growth capital, complete further rounds of capital including share issues, convertible notes and mezzanine loans
• Implement turnaround strategy which resulted in reducing the operating cost base by over 45%
• Relocated NZ finance function to Australia and managed finance department
• Complete business and growth plans, presentation to the board of financial growth plans and off shore expansion budgets. Software and training (Private Owned and Administrator)
INITIATIVE/PROJECT: Assist in navigating company from insolvency to return to profitability including a $3m capital raising for a company in voluntary administration
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Preparation of a 3 year business plan and information memorandum for potential investors
• Work with Administrator and management to execute a deed of company arrangement (DOCA)
• Manage existing Finance team
• Manage and negotiate the sale of a division
• Provide financial information to the administrator to support their obligations Technology Start-up (Aust Private with Venture Capital)
INITIATIVE/PROJECT: Business establishment, raise seed & growth capital $10m, establish reporting & due diligence systems, establish overseas office in UK.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Complete capital rounds from US & Australian VCs (A$10m)
• Set up financial reporting & establish comprehensive due diligence system and procedures
• Planned & established over seas office in London
• Strategic development of detailed business & financial plans for the establishment of new business divisions to compliment the core business
• Company secretary duties and Board management
• Preparation for Alternative Investments Markets (AIM) listing in UK Telecommunications International Group (Listed)
INITIATIVE/PROJECT: Streamline subsidiaries capital expenditure
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Reduced overall capital spend by 30% by focussing on core corporate goals
• Reviewed and formalised process for approving capital expenditure Telecommunications Technology Start-Up (Australian Private Company)
INITIATIVE/PROJECT: Establish financial control and management reporting systems
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Year end close completed with one-month enabling rapid receipt of funds under Australian Government R&D Tax Concession scheme
• All systems established and met compliance and management need
• Monthly financial reporting available in required time frame
• Tight cashflow situation actively managed Telecommunications Technology Growth Company (Australian Private Company Subsidiary with European Holding Company)
INITIATIVE/PROJECT: Develop models and support fund raising process
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Established data rooms and ensured all information available for potential investors
• Co-ordinated and managed day to day requirements of fund raising process
• Developed financial models and managed advisors to produce Information Memorandum and Offer Memoranda complying with both US and Australian Securities Laws
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.  
Terms & Conditions
CFO, Chief Financial Officer, interim CFO, part time CFO, virtual CFO, temporary CFO, outsource cfo, cfo services, strategic cfo, finance executive, chartered accountant, accountant, finance director, financial leadership, SME cfo, cfo consulting, cfo solution, cfocentre, management consultant, business financial consulting, temporary executive, outsourcing, outsource accounting, outsource for international subsidiaries, financial consultant, finance executive, outsourcing, financial, consultant, commercial, director, strategic.
Strategic planning, growth planning, commercial analysis, business plan, business financial planning, financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, business model, business modelling, financial control, increasing profit, profit improvement, gross profit evaluation, profit optimization, optimize gross profit, cashflow, cash flow, cash flow management, cash flow projection services, working capital improvement, working capital management, expense reduction, finance reporting, KPIs, exit strategy, business exit strategies, succession planning.
Daniel Fah, Laura Raymer, Natasha Playne, Rob Ross-Edwards, Kerensa Argyriou, Rachael Crane.