Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
References
Websites
Timeline
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Linda Lum

Sydney,NSW

Summary

I am Head of Finance with over ten years of experience in high growth sectors, specialising in financial strategy and cashflow optimisation. Skilled in building finance teams and fostering stakeholder relationships to drive sustainable growth. Trusted advisor to leadership in dynamic environments.

Overview

27
27
years of professional experience

Work History

Global Tax & Treasury Manager & Company Secretary

Finder.com.au
06.2021 - Current

Company Overview:

Finder.com.au is a global comparison website that empowers consumers in making informed decisions across various financial products and services. Operating in multiple countries, Finder has over 300 employees, and attracts approximately 5 million visitors monthly worldwide.

Key Achievements:

  • Led tax consolidation efforts for 14 Australian entities, achieving $1m tax refund and utilisation of dormant tax losses.
  • Collaborated with external financiers to structure and finalise debt facilities tailored to growth and capital demands.
  • Supported Series A funding of $30 million, with financial strategies contributing to investor engagement.
  • Enhanced cashflow through capital allocation across diverse investment vehicles.
  • Restructured and simplified corporate group, including integration of offshore entities and alignment of legal and financial frameworks.

Responsibilities:

  • Manage 2x Finance team (accounts payable officers located in Sydney and the Philippines).
  • Business partner to C-suite and leadership team.
  • Management of tax reporting and compliance for Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Canada and US.
  • Prepared and submitted R&D tax incentive claims in accordance with regulatory requirements.
  • Managed relationships with external financiers, ensuring compliance with debt covenants, and timely submission of financial reporting.
  • Prepared and maintained weekly and monthly group cash flow forecasts to support liquidity planning and decision-making.
  • Developed investment strategies and cost optimisation initiatives to enhance group cash flow.

Head of Finance & Accounting & Company Secretary

Finder.com.au
05.2011 - 06.2021

Key Achievements:

  • Supported financial strategies that contributed to scaling company revenues from $10m to $100m+.
  • Expanded the finance team from a single employee to a global workforce of 14, driving growth and operational scalability.
  • Integrated offshore entities into corporate group, including the Philippines, Poland, the USA, the UK, Canada, New Zealand, and Singapore.
  • Enabled business growth by implementing a budgeting process and improving management reporting to the board, enhancing financial visibility and decision-making.
  • Led the migration of the ERP system from Xero to NetSuite, successfully transitioning 23 entities.
  • Implemented an Employee Share Ownership Plan (ESOP) and managed company secretarial responsibilities.
  • Temporarily managed the HR function, including enabling business sponsorship for global employees.

Responsibilities:

  • Manage 14x Finance team (finance managers, accountants, A/R and A/P officers).
  • Managed the global month-end closing process, ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting.
  • Led the annual budgeting and quarterly forecasting processes across the group, ensuring alignment with strategic and financial objectives.
  • Led monthly internal and external reporting on results and metrics for the group, delivering accurate and timely financial insights to stakeholders and leadership.
  • Management of statutory and tax reporting for the group.
  • Managed the R&D tax incentive process, identifying qualifying activities, maximizing eligible offsets, and ensuring compliance.
  • Managed transfer pricing documentation and compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
  • Managed global payroll processing and ensured compliance with local regulatory requirements across all jurisdictions.
  • Managed audit engagements from planning to finalisation, ensuring compliance and risk mitigation.
  • Served as the financial lead and trusted advisor to the Co-CEO, contributing to board reporting, corporate restructuring, and long-term financial planning.

Finance Manager (Part Time)

Reid Campbell Architects
04.2011 - 12.2011

Company Overview:

Reid Campbell is a leading architectural and design firm specialising in architecture, interior design and masterplanning.

Key Achievements:

  • Optimised accounting processes to enhance accuracy and efficiency, enabling a successful transition of the role from full-time to part-time without compromising output.
  • Introduced cost-saving measures by identifying discrepancies and recommending process improvements.
  • Achieved a 10% reduction in fringe benefits liability through policy redesign and the adoption of logbook and actual usage methods.

Responsibilities:

  • Maintained up-to-date financial records, including bank reconciliations.
  • Ensured timely lodgement of BAS and tax lodgements.
  • Managed payroll and superannuation processing ensuring 100% compliance with relevant regulations.
  • Cashflow management and forecasting.

Finance Manager

Fin Insure Pty Ltd
03.2010 - 03.2011

Company Overview:

FinInsure provides boutique financial planning services focusing on wealth creation, retirement planning, risk protection and investment management.

Key Achievements:

  • Automation of ongoing (trail) commissions for financial planners in accordance with client agreements and product structures.

Responsibilities:

  • Management of end of month reporting and commission reports for financial advisors.
  • Ensured timely lodgement of BAS and tax lodgements.
  • Cashflow management and forecasting.

Financial Accountant

Invida / Pharmalink / Innovex
04.2007 - 03.2010

Company Overview:

Invida is a leading pharmaceutical services provider in the Asia-Pacific region, generating annual revenue of over $40 million. Its offerings span from dedicated contract sales teams to the distribution of products ranging from multivitamins to life-critical pharmaceuticals.

Key Achievements:

  • Establishing supply chain role including promotion and logistics in the export of life-critical pharmaceuticals to Philippines/India/Saudi Arabia. Gross sales exceeded $500k each year.
  • Reduction of fringe benefits liability by 14% by implementing FBT program.

Reponsibilities:

  • Prepare and analyse monthly financial statements for leadership team.
  • Preparation of annual budgets and capital expenditure plans.
  • Manage 3x Finance team.

Financial Accountant

ALMC Enterprises Pty Ltd
03.2004 - 04.2007

Senior Business Services Manager

John Cohen & Associates
05.2003 - 01.2004

Senior Accountant (Business Services)

Horwath (NSW) Pty Ltd
09.2000 - 04.2003

Undergraduate Accountant (Business Services)

Hill Rogers Pty Ltd
06.1998 - 06.2000

Education

Bachelor of Business - Accounting & Marketing

University of Technology Sydney
01.2003

Skills

  • Excel
  • Xero / NetSuite
  • Employment Hero
  • G Suite
  • Tax compliance
  • Budgeting process

References

Available upon request

Timeline

Global Tax & Treasury Manager & Company Secretary

Finder.com.au
06.2021 - Current

Head of Finance & Accounting & Company Secretary

Finder.com.au
05.2011 - 06.2021

Finance Manager (Part Time)

Reid Campbell Architects
04.2011 - 12.2011

Finance Manager

Fin Insure Pty Ltd
03.2010 - 03.2011

Financial Accountant

Invida / Pharmalink / Innovex
04.2007 - 03.2010

Financial Accountant

ALMC Enterprises Pty Ltd
03.2004 - 04.2007

Senior Business Services Manager

John Cohen & Associates
05.2003 - 01.2004

Senior Accountant (Business Services)

Horwath (NSW) Pty Ltd
09.2000 - 04.2003

Undergraduate Accountant (Business Services)

Hill Rogers Pty Ltd
06.1998 - 06.2000

Bachelor of Business - Accounting & Marketing

University of Technology Sydney
Linda Lum