Maha Askari
Eight Mile Plains
Summary
Results-driven finance professional with over four years of extensive experience in accounts payable, payroll, treasury, tax compliance, budgeting, forecasting, and general accounting. Expertise in cash flow management and adherence to Australian Accounting Standards ensures precise financial oversight and strategic planning. Recognized as a strong team player for delivering accurate reporting, supporting audits, and enhancing financial processes to drive organizational efficiency. Committed to leveraging analytical skills and industry knowledge to contribute to the success of dynamic finance teams.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Accountant
McConaghy Property Services
12.2023 - Current
- Managed full-cycle accounts payable function, including supplier setup, purchase orders, invoice processing, reconciliations, payment runs, credit card/fuel card administration, and resolving vendor queries in line with compliance frameworks.
- Administered payroll system, ensuring accurate data entry, reconciliations, and compliance with awards, contracts, and tax obligations. Prepared payroll reports, resolved discrepancies, and supported audit requirements.
- Monitored daily cash flow and prepared cash reports to maintain liquidity. Processed intercompany transfers, reconciled bank accounts, and ensured accurate posting of treasury-related journals.
- Prepared and lodged BAS, IAS, FBT, and Payroll Tax returns. Liaised with external tax agents to ensure compliance with Australian taxation standards and deadlines.
- Assisted in preparation, coordination, and ownership of budgeting and forecasting processes across multiple business units, including fee recovery calculations and variance analysis.
- Supported month-end and year-end close processes, prepared journals, reviewed P&L and balance sheet reconciliations, and provided reporting for management and statutory purposes.
- Maintained fixed asset registers, accounted for leases, calculated depreciation, and assessed assets for impairment.
- Ensured adherence to financial policies, delegations, and Australian Accounting Standards. Supported statutory reporting and internal/external audit processes.
- Partnered with internal stakeholders to deliver timely financial insights, improved processes, and contributed to team and business objectives.
Finance Officer
Nauru Airlines
02.2023 - 12.2023
- Effectively owned and organized the accounts mail inbox, streamlining communication and information flow with suppliers.
- Oversaw the allocation of supplier invoices for Bills processing in the finance ERP system, ensuring adherence to established procedures.
- Skillfully matched and captured supplier invoices to open Purchase Orders within the engineering stock management system, Alkym. Successfully imported invoice data to the finance ERP system, facilitating efficient approval processes.
- Collaborated actively with offshore finance staff, providing valuable training, guidance, and improvement suggestions to enhance AP bill processing efficiency.
- Demonstrated strong analytical abilities in reconciling Credit Card statements and processing card transactions, effectively navigating approval workflows.
- Assisted the Financial Manager in managing supplier invoice/purchase order approval workflows within the finance ERP system, ensuring robust authorization protocols before payment processing.
- Demonstrated strong organizational skills in creating new supplier records and meticulously updating existing supplier details to ensure data accuracy and completeness.
- Provided crucial support to Financial Accountants during month-end processing, meeting all assigned task deadlines and contributing to seamless financial reporting.
- Prepared monthly reconciliation of bank accounts and took corrective actions on deviations.
- Optimized cash flow management, ensuring timely payment of invoices and reducing outstanding debts.
Accountant
Shah Consultancy Services
07.2018 - 06.2019
- Review and finalize company budgets for proposals, and their evaluation before submission to the director and playing key role in the development and implementation of various budgeting and financial policies.
- Responsible for monthly, quarterly, and annual MIS reports and the Director and ensuring accuracy of financial information.
- Ensure compliance and negotiations on major projects, loans, internal controls, and adherence to company policies.
- Represent the section in quality improvement activities, providing a support service by working with all departments and the management team to help make financial decisions.
- Using accounting software Xero for all financial reporting, BAS Statements, GST calculations, liaising with clients and stakeholders.
- Assist in annual organization audit by providing relevant information to external auditors and assist in financial matters thereby implementing corporate governance procedures, risk management and internal controls.
- Prepare initial tax returns for individuals and companies at the end of financial year and submit to registered tax accountant to finalize them.
- Handled day-to-day accounting processes to drive financial accuracy.
- Reconciled accounts and reviewed expense data, net worth, and assets.
Assistant Manager & Forex Sales Consultant
City Exchange
08.2015 - 12.2017
- Counted main vaults at opening and completed daily end procedures.
- Completed money transfers and security clearances to transport large amounts of currency.
- Bought and sold foreign currencies, following strict guidelines and reporting transactions to AUSTRAC.
- Balanced inventories-maintained cash stock balances and filed appropriate paperwork.
- Identified warning signs of questionable transactions and coordinated internal risk assessments.
- Coordinated internal investigations into compliance issues and internal audits.
- Drafted compliance procedures and work instructions, liaising with internal legal counsel to determine appropriate procedures.
- Completed site visits when necessary.
- Completed forensic testing of compliance policies and procedures.
Accounts and Administration Assistant
Super Smart Plans
09.2016 - 12.2016
- Entered data into ledgers and participated in bookkeeping.
- Helped to develop income and expenditure reports, profit/loss statements, and trial balances.
- Drafted Business Activity Statements (BAS) and tax reports.
- Prepared payroll
- Worked on tax returns for individuals, partnerships, companies, trusts, and superannuation.
- Participated in accounts payable management and compliance-based account reporting.
- Participated in bank reconciliations and petty cash reconciliations.
- Increased customer satisfaction by providing timely and professional responses to inquiries via phone, email, or in-person visits.
Education
CA - Accounting And Finance
Chartered Accountants Australia And New Zealand CAANZ
Brisbane, QLD12-2026
Certificate in Leadership And Management - Leadership & Management
IHBC
Sydney, NSW07-2021
Professional Year of Accounting - Accounting
Education Centre Australia
Sydney, NSW03.2019
Bachelor of Business (Accounting) - Accounting
King’s Own Institute
Sydney, NSW06-2018
Bachelor of Commerce - Commerce
University of Punjab
Pakistan06-2013
Skills
- Effective communication
- Prioritization skills
- MS office
- Bank reconciliation
- Financial reporting
- AP, AR & Payroll processing
- Intercompany transactions
- Budget forecasting
- Year-end closing
- GL reconciliation
- Month-end closing
- Month-end reports
Websites
Affiliations
Student – ACCA (UK) Member Number-2834587
Certification
Professional Year of Accounting (03/2019) ECA, Sydney
Languages
English
Full Professional
Urdu
Native or Bilingual
Hindi
Professional Working
Community Service
Raah-e-Raast (Straight Path), President, Karachi, Pakistan, 2013-02, 2015-06, Partnered with over 50 students to organize several events at campus and hostel to collect funding with the sole agenda of eradicating child labor in the outskirts of Karachi, the biggest populated city of Pakistan., Spearheaded events for weekly meetings regarding donation drive and devising monthly quota of grocery, books, uniforms, and school fees for 83 underprivileged students.
Timeline
Assistant Accountant
McConaghy Property Services
12.2023 - Current
Finance Officer
Nauru Airlines
02.2023 - 12.2023
Accountant
Shah Consultancy Services
07.2018 - 06.2019
Accounts and Administration Assistant
Super Smart Plans
09.2016 - 12.2016
Assistant Manager & Forex Sales Consultant
City Exchange
08.2015 - 12.2017
Professional Year of Accounting - Accounting
Education Centre Australia
CA - Accounting And Finance
Chartered Accountants Australia And New Zealand CAANZ
Certificate in Leadership And Management - Leadership & Management
IHBC
Bachelor of Business (Accounting) - Accounting
King’s Own Institute
Bachelor of Commerce - Commerce
University of Punjab
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