Sandra Haira

• Argenta is the only combined global Contract Research Organisation (CRO) and Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation (CDMO) dedicated to animal health
• With research and GMP manufacturing operations in New Zealand, the United States and the United Kingdom, Argenta operates ‘from Molecule to Market’ in partnership with its customers to support their R&D, regulatory, clinical research and manufacturing needs along the veterinary product development journey
• Reporting to the Head of Financial Operations
• Improved cash flow management by maintaining and continuously refining an accurate cash flow forecast model of customer receipts and supplier payments
• Provided treasury advice on forward exchange contracts across multiple currencies
• Intercompany transactions management

NZ’s largest supplier of building materials and hardware. Employs over 2,100 people, has more than 300,000 customers, and 61 stores from Kaitaia to Invercargill selling over 74,000 product lines from concrete to paint and plasterboard.

• Spearheaded the implementation of new accounting software, resulting in increased efficiency and improved financial tracking capabilities.
• Reduced operating costs through meticulous budget management and cost analysis.
• Lead, coached and managed a team of 18 staff including AP (9x), Group Financial Accountant (1x), Senior Accountants (2x) and Assistant Accountants (6x);
• Managed and maintained the company’s external relationships with BNZ, AON Insurance, Ernst and Young auditors, KPMG tax advisors, ACC and IRD;
• Ensured compliance with regulatory requirements by conducting thorough internal audits and implementing necessary corrective actions.
• Developed and maintained a robust reporting model to map the trial balance from the ERP system (JDE) to the Group Reporting Consolidation tool (Hyperion) which received the tick of approval from our external auditors, Ernst and Young

• Reduced month-end closing time by optimising the reconciliation process for bank and credit card accounts.
• Facilitated timely collection of Head Office receivables
• Identified cost-saving opportunities through thorough budget analysis and expense tracking, particularly credit cards (more than 500 credit card holders)
• Staff management – managed a team of 9, conducted recruitment and performance review tasks
• Assisted in annual audit preparations, ensuring a smooth process with no major discrepancies found.
• Managed tax compliance tasks (Income Tax, GST, FBT), filing accurate returns on time to avoid penalties or interest charges.
• Successful implementation of the accounting entries on IFRS16 Leases across the PM branch network (40 plus branches) which had a Property Portfolio of $100m + and more than 500 fleet vehicles

• American multinational biotechnology product development company with revenues of $17 billion, 50,000 employees in 50 countries.
• Financial Reporting and Control - liaise with country accounting teams across APAC & Japan, group corporate accounting (US based) and business partners on accounting matters, monthly close and reporting activities
• International Tax - liaise with country accounting teams across APAC & Japan, and International Tax on transfer pricing and management service fee processes and calculations
• Cross charge productivity process improvements and excel model enhancements
• Assisted in the recognition and acceptance of a Peer Review Program of Balance Sheet Reconciliations across the APAC region