Lorena Valencia
Bundoora,Australia
Summary
Dynamic finance professional with extensive experience in non-profit, government, and education sectors, excelling in budgeting, cash flow management, and stakeholder engagement. Achieved significant financial improvements, enhancing surplus for capital projects while implementing robust internal controls. Proven leader skilled in strategic planning and data analytics, driving operational efficiency and compliance across diverse organisations.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Business Manager
Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS)
Melbourne, VIC
04.2022 - Current
- Lead finance operations for six Northern Region primary schools.
- Strategic Financial Management: prepare annual school budgets, long-term financial plans, and monthly variance analysis, aligning financial strategy with the school’s master plan, and maintenance initiatives.
- Risk & Compliance: Oversee statutory compliance—including BAS, PAYG, and WorkCover reconciliation—and maintain robust internal controls to mitigate financial and operational risks. Support the principal in maintaining incident and emergency reports.
- Leadership and Stakeholder Engagement: Provide financial advice and BI reporting to principals and senior leadership; lead and support school bursars in financial operations, ensuring timely and accurate reporting for audits and regulatory submissions.
- Contract & Facilities Oversight: Assist in supplier contract negotiations and strategic planning for buildings and facilities, in collaboration with relevant teams, ensuring alignment with long-term school objectives.
- Sign off on the Annual Financial Statements; ensure adherence to government funding and legal requirements.
- Enhanced the school’s financial position by increasing the surplus to fund capital projects while improving or maintaining the bank reserve percentage required by MACS.
- Improved financial performance by developing a forward-looking cash flow strategy and collaborating with principals to identify funds for strategic investment in term deposits, leading to sustained growth in interest income.
- Oversee the management and acquittal of three government-funded capital projects, valued between $3M and $10M, ensuring compliance with funding requirements.
Senior Accountant / Payroll Manager
Banyule City Council
Melbourne, VIC
12.2019 - 04.2022
- Collaborated with Financial Accounting Coordinator to prepare Council’s Annual Financial Report and ensure accurate accounting records.
- Oversaw payroll department, managing end-to-end payroll processing for approximately 1,000 employees.
- Ensured compliance with statutory requirements, including PAYG, superannuation, and WorkCover reconciliation.
- Served as primary support contact for Authority Payroll module and Magiq Software.
- Maintained complex accounting records for Council’s Fixed Assets while continuously reviewing policies and procedures.
- Advised on budget preparation, forecasting, internal reporting, and performance analysis as finance business partner.
- Recognized by Community Programs directory for exceptional customer service during COVID-19 lockdowns.
- Delivered high-quality budgeting and management reporting functions aligned with industry best practices.
Acting Finance Manager / Senior Financial Accountant
The Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust
Melbourne, VIC
01.2012 - 12.2019
- Directed annual budgeting and planning processes, achieving key deadlines through thorough reviews.
- Managed annual audit process, serving as central conduit between external and internal auditors.
- Oversaw delivery of annual financial statements for Annual Report and DHHS reporting obligations.
- Identified strategic financial issues impacting GMCT’s performance and developed resolutions.
- Integral in implementing new Payroll System, acting as system administrator for finance system.
- Delivered training for Budget module within Business Intelligence Software (BIS).
- Collaborated with HR and executive leadership on organization-wide salary forecasting and budget reviews.
- Standardized service fees and descriptions across 18 sites as part of Pricing Strategy.
Financial Accountant
RMIT University
Melbourne, VIC
01.2012 - 05.2012
- Delivered statutory accounts while serving as primary audit liaison.
- Utilized SAP ERP expertise to enhance financial reporting accuracy and efficiency.
Finance & Payroll Coordinator / Financial Accountant
Marie Stopes International
Melbourne, VIC
12.2005 - 09.2011
- Managed national financial operations, supporting CFO, CEO, and state managers.
- Led budgeting and financial modeling while implementing process improvements across clinics.
- Spearheaded software integrations and revenue capture systems to enhance operational efficiency.
- Reduced reporting timelines and improved profitability through gross margin analysis.
- Achieved over 50% reduction in Medicare debtor days, increasing cash flow.
Education
Mini MBA - Melbourne, VIC
Australian Institute of Management
Melbourne, VIC02.2025
CPA Program - Accounting And Finance
CPA Australia
Melbourne, VIC01-2012
Certificates - Australian Taxation & Corporation Law
CPA Australia
Melbourne, VIC01-2006
Certificate IV -
Business
Melbourne, VIC01-2003
Bachelor of Public Accounting -
University of Guadalajara
Mexico07-2002
Skills
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Cash flow management
- Financial reporting and compliance
- Audit oversight and internal controls
- Risk management
- Business process improvement and automation
- Contract negotiation
- Facilities planning
- Stakeholder engagement and relationship management
- Team leadership and mentoring
- Data analytics and visualisation
- Financial analysis
- Strategic planning
- Microsoft Office Suite and Power BI
Systems And Tools
- Authority
- Magiq
- BIS
- SUN Systems
- Micropay
- MS Excel (Advanced)
- Power BI
- Technology One
Training And Workshops
- Applying Strategic Thinking (AIM 2025)
- CPA Time Management
- CPA Project Management Basics
- Effective Management Decision-Making
- Management Leadership Skills
Core Competencies
- Strategic Financial Leadership, Budgeting, Forecasting, Cash flow management, Financial reporting
- Risk & Compliance Management, Internal controls, Statutory compliance, Audit oversight, Risk register maintenance
- Business & Operational Excellence, Business process improvement, Contract negotiations, Facilities planning
- Stakeholder Engagement, Building and managing relationships with leaders, External auditors, Banks, Regulatory bodies
- Team Leadership, Mentoring, Guiding cross-functional teams, Dynamic, high-pressure environments
- Technology & Data Analytics, Proficiency in Power BI, MS Office for BI, Process automation
Languages
Spanish
Native/ Bilingual
English
Full Professional
Certification
- CPA Member (No. 9526367)
Affiliations
Applying Strategic Thinking Course at AIM, June 2025
Accomplishments
- Recognition for the exceptional customer service and support with forecasting and budgets during COVID-19 lockdowns - Banyule City Council
- Responsiveness Award - The Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust
Timeline
Business Manager
Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS)
04.2022 - Current
Senior Accountant / Payroll Manager
Banyule City Council
12.2019 - 04.2022
Acting Finance Manager / Senior Financial Accountant
The Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust
01.2012 - 12.2019
Financial Accountant
RMIT University
01.2012 - 05.2012
Finance & Payroll Coordinator / Financial Accountant
Marie Stopes International
12.2005 - 09.2011
Mini MBA - Melbourne, VIC
Australian Institute of Management
CPA Program - Accounting And Finance
CPA Australia
Certificates - Australian Taxation & Corporation Law
CPA Australia
Certificate IV -
Business
Bachelor of Public Accounting -
University of Guadalajara