Ashraf Shaker

Company Overview: Pharaohs Adventure Pty Ltd operates under the Lollipops Playland & Café franchise, a premier children's entertainment centre that combines fun indoor play facilities with a family-friendly café experience

• Managed the complete financial operations of the playland and café, ensuring accuracy and compliance with company policies
• Prepared comprehensive end-of-month journals, including income statements and reconciliations for accounts receivable and payable
• Developed and maintained detailed budgeting processes to track financial performance and forecast future trends
• Performed bank reconciliations to maintain accurate financial records and detect discrepancies promptly
• Oversaw payroll processing to ensure timely and accurate compensation for staff
• Generated monthly financial reports, including profit and loss statements and balance sheet reconciliations
• Prepared BAS and GST reconciliations to meet taxation obligations
• Conducted purchasing reviews, negotiating with suppliers to secure the best possible deals
• Successfully reduced operational costs and enhanced profitability by negotiating more favorable supplier agreements and optimising expenditure
• Streamlined month-end closing processes, resulting in reduced time spent on financial reporting tasks
• Improved financial reporting accuracy and streamlined month-end processes, contributing to better business decision-making
• Handled day-to-day accounting processes drive financial accuracy
• Maintained accurate records of fixed assets, including acquisition costs, depreciation schedules, and current values for insurance purposes.
• Collaborated with external auditors during the annual audit process to provide necessary documentation and address any concerns or findings promptly.

• Provide timely and accurate financial information for the organisation and the distribution and analysis of monthly and quarterly reports
• Coordinate Council’s corporate / purchase card facilities
• Prepare information on Fleet Management as requested by the Financial Accountant in a timely manner. Ensure appropriate policies are in place and maintained. Periodic review of Leaseback fee conducted
• Manage the day-to-day taxation function  Respond to changes in legislation  Maintain accounting records for taxation purposes  Maintain process for managing business tax returns  Process business tax returns and lodgments
• Developed and maintained strong working relationships with key stakeholders, including department heads, vendors, and banking partners
• Assisted company leaders with financial decisions
• Assisted in annual audit preparations, ensuring a smooth process with no major discrepancies found

• Company Overview: The Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta is a leading educational organization managing over 80 schools across Western Sydney, providing a high standard of education to students from diverse backgrounds
• Guided and assisted schools in managing their day-to-day accounting functions, providing hands-on support and training
• Provided comprehensive support for the following accounting processes: General ledger maintenance and reconciliation
• Budget preparation, monitoring, and reporting
• Purchasing system management and approval workflows
• Inventory tracking and ECR (electronic cash register) monitoring
• Bank and balance sheet reconciliations to ensure accuracy and compliance
• Month-end financial closeness processes, including journal preparation
• Fixed asset management and reporting
• Accounts payable and receivable, ensuring timely processing and follow-ups
• Addressed and resolved system function inquiries, including EIE (Electronic Invoice Exchange) and period balances
• Collaborated with the finance team to complete year-end reconciliations and audits
• Fostered a collaborative team environment, enhancing productivity and morale
• Prepared monthly management reports for senior leadership review
• Consistently met tight deadlines while maintaining high-quality deliverables
• Provided remote assistance to customers using screen sharing tools, ensuring efficient issue resolution
• Provided schools with tailored training and support, improving their accounting practices and operational efficiency
• Played a key role in refining the accounting system and procedures, resulting in streamlined workflows and enhanced accuracy

• Develop and maintain user friendly Financial Management Reports for the organisation
• Provide timely and accurate financial information to the organisation and the distribution and analysis of monthly and quarterly reports
• Prepare monthly journals, payroll journals and assist in yearend account reconciliations, and plant hire journals
• Develop a positive network with the Council's Business Unit Coordinators and managers to work together to achieve reporting and budgetary requirements with consideration to other competing business needs
• Assist in the preparation of the Council's Annual Budget and Management Plan by providing financial information for Council's budget model and providing analysis on budget information for the Senior Management Accountant, Chief Financial Officer, Service Unit Managers, Executive Team and Council
• Assisted company leaders with financial decisions
• Improved financial reporting accuracy by streamlining the month-end close process and implementing automated reconciliation tools
• Conducted variance analysis between actual results and forecasts, identifying areas of improvement for future budgeting cycles
• Provided journal entries and performed accounting on accrual basis
• Supported the implementation of a new financial planning tool, resulting in more efficient budgeting processes and improved collaboration between departments
• Managed relationships with external auditors effectively ensure positive outcomes during annual audits

• Monitor monthly Income & Expenditure Reports and provide regular reports to managers and the executive
• Prepare 'end of year' documentation to ensure compliance with The Salvation Army's requirements
• Prepare annual budgets in conjunction with the Director and in consultation with department managers
• Assist in the preparation of the financial aspects of tenders and proposals
• Contribute to the maintenance and ongoing development of relevant Policies and Procedures and Risk Management Strategies;
• Liaise with Government Departments and other funding bodies on all aspects of funding
• Ensure that appropriate systems operate for billing and collection of income across all Network programs
• Ensure that appropriate systems operate for verifying, authorising and processing all expenditures
• Reconcile bank accounts for the Network, including timely banking of monies, and preparation of bank reconciliations (Clients' Trust account, and Imprest Account)
• Ensure accurate presentation of all documentation for the annual internal audit
• Control Cash flow, recommend and authorise urgent payments
• Reconcile Government and other Funding Bodies, and ensure compliance with conditions of subsidy/grant
• Payroll reconciliations, identify any variances and process necessarily adjustments
• Responsible for Accounts Receivable and Payable function
• Prepare and present financial information as required to Management and departmental meetings
• In conjunction with departmental Managers ensure the Fixed Asset Register is kept updated and periodic stock-takes carried out
• Pursue personal professional development to ensure that best business practices and accounting standards are maintained
• Perform other tasks as directed by the General Manager and Director of the Network
• Managed a team of junior accountants, providing mentorship and guidance to ensure consistent growth in their professional skills

• Develop and maintain user friendly Financial Management Reports for the organisation
• Provide timely and accurate financial information to the organisation and the distribution and analysis of monthly and quarterly reports
• Prepare monthly journals, payroll journals and assist in yearend account reconciliations, and plant hire journals
• Develop positive relationships with Council's Service Unit Managers, understanding their business operations and providing them with accurate financial information and advice in making decisions
• Develop a positive network with the Council's Business Unit Coordinators to work together to achieve reporting and budgetary requirements with consideration to other competing business needs
• Understand the Councils financial management systems and procedures by optimising the use of available technology and to seek improvement to adopt best practice
• Develop and maintain the Council's Chart of Accounts to optimise business needs and statutory requirements
• Assist in the preparation of the Council's Annual Budget and Management Plan by providing financial information for Council's budget model and providing analysis on budget information for the Senior Management Accountant, Chief Financial Officer, Service Unit Managers, Executive Team and Council
• Developed and maintained strong working relationships with key stakeholders, including department heads, vendors, and banking partners
• Assisted in mergers and acquisitions activities by providing thorough due diligence, support and financial analysis of potential targets
• Controlled and forecasted incomes and expenditures
• Assisted company leaders with financial decisions
• Supported the implementation of a new financial planning tool, resulting in more efficient budgeting processes and improved collaboration between departments
• Managed relationships with external auditors effectively ensure positive outcomes during annual audits