Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Languages
Timeline
Generic

Seema Shiwani Dutt

Carnarvon,WA

Summary

Summary includes my experience of duties carried out in the following roles: Administration: - Leadership and guidance to the employees and the board members - Ensuring proper policies and procedures are being followed by employees and board members - Drafting policies and strategies (strategic plan) and review corporate compliance - Managing Finance, Information Technology, Governance, Risk Management, investments - Creating public awareness on new policies and implementing it respectively - Attending official forums, meetings, conventions, seminars, negotiations, stakeholder meetings - Drafting of Meeting Agenda, meeting minutes and responding to correspondence - Organizing and handling board meetings with stakeholders for economic and Tourism development - Ensuring implementation of matters by the board - Drafting of proposals for donor funding/ grant request and preparations of acquittals for fundings - Drafting, analyzing and presentation of reports - Moving the city towards digitalization in terms of services, information sharing, development - Drafting of service charter on services provided and delegate to employees with high performance corporate services by meeting the regulatory in accordance to the framework - Developing and monitoring the projects with reports preparations - Updating Council websites, viber pages and facebook page. Finance: - Oversee the development of financial plans, budgets and forecast - Preparation general ledger, trial balance, profit & loss, balance sheet, comprehensive income statement, statement of equity - Analyse financial data and provide insights to support decision- making and resource allocation - Preparation of Financial Statement using IFRS standards and presenting to board & office of auditor general - Reconciliations of debtors, creditors, bank statements, - Preparations of month end and year end reports for the management with assurance of quality report - Manage the liquidity of an organization for its continuity - Investigations on any possible fraudulent acts - Carrying out cost and benefit analysis for organizations operations on the income and expenses - Analyzing the financial and taxation information on business structures, plans and operations - Preparing and lodging all forms of tax paid an organization to Government - Maintaining and upgrading of the Accounting Software such as MYOB, QuickBooks, Navision, Synergy, Civica Authority - Internal control processes and procedures to be maintained always - Cash flow to be maintained to avoid any risk of overspending Auditing: - Establish the audit objectives, planning and designing on the methods and process that shall be used in any reporting of the audit taking place - Verify and report to management on the internal process which are the polices and standard operating procedures being used - Conducting audits and investigation of the organization - Checking compliance of an organization that is being audited - assisting in debt management, equity management, taxation issues - evaluate the risk assessment of an organization Human Resource: - Payroll processing functions and reconciliations - Drafting of Human Resource policies and implement the labour law of Fiji in the organization - Carrying out recruitment and selection process of employees - Effectively manage the Human Resource of the organization according to policies and procedures - Carry out the recruitment and selection process with open merit system - Implement and develop performance monitoring plans for the staffs on renewal of their contracts with Council

Overview

16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Finance Manager

Walgett Shire Council
06.2024 - Current
  • Develop and implement long-term financial strategies aligned with Council’s Community Strategic Plan and Delivery Program.
  • Provide high-level financial advice to the General Manager, Executive Team, and Council.
  • Lead the preparation of the Long-Term Financial Plan (LTFP) and integrate it with asset management and workforce planning.
  • Oversee the preparation, monitoring and reporting of the annual budget, financial statements, and quarterly budget reviews.
  • Ensure compliance with the Office of Local Government (OLG) Code of Accounting Practice and relevant accounting standards (e.g., AASB).
  • Coordinate internal and external audits, and implement audit recommendations.
  • Ensure compliance with the Local Government Act 1993, Local Government (General) Regulation 2021, and relevant financial regulations.
  • Monitor and manage financial risks, including liquidity, investments, borrowing, and insurance.
  • Ensure robust internal controls and governance frameworks are in place.
  • Oversee rating and revenue collection, grants management, procurement, and expenditure monitoring.
  • Review and analyse operational and capital expenditure to identify efficiencies.
  • Lead and mentor the finance team to build capability and deliver high-quality service.
  • Promote a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and customer focus.
  • Liaise with internal and external stakeholders, including Councillors, NSW Government agencies, auditors, and community members.
  • Provide financial input into major projects, business cases, and community consultations.
  • Looking after grants register and controlling internal and external funds.
  • Oversee the implementation and optimisation of financial systems and technology to support efficient operations and data-driven decision-making.

Senior Finance Officer- Reporting

Shire of Carnarvon
10.2023 - Current
  • Demonstrate successful leadership through application of Shire’s core values.
  • Budget preparation, forecasting and reviewing.
  • Lead and supervise the Procurement, Creditors Officers & Customer Experience Officers by providing oversight, assistance and guidance ensuring the direct reports are equipped with the resources and support to perform their roles effectively.
  • Review financial data to prepare and present weekly, monthly and annual financial reporting, supporting various departments across the organization in a timely manner ensuring high level financial information is delivered to assist in decision making.
  • Review financial processes and procedures regularly, ensuring to capture the input of other departments across the organization that aims to streamline the continuity of delivery in services to the community.
  • Liaise with external stakeholders when required. Actively engage with the Corporate Services team by assisting when required, adding to the overall value of the department.
  • Oversee the overall function of accounts payable including working with stakeholders to resolve payment issues.
  • Management and Optimization of Assets, Plants and Work in Progress.
  • Managing of Grants receiving and utilization with audit functions of the acquittals.

Chief Executive Officer (Administration/ Finance)

Savusavu Town Council
10.2019 - 09.2023
  • Provide leadership and guidance to the staffs of the Council through Local Government Act.
  • Developing corporate strategies, business strategies, and financial plans.
  • Drafting and presentation of reports at Governance level.
  • Addressing the correspondence from respective departments, public and stakeholders and report writing on special cases.
  • Organizing meetings with stakeholders, such as Savusavu Tourism Association for growth of Tourism in Savusavu.
  • Prepare Annual Reports and Financial Statements as required by the Local Government Act 1972, Cap 125.
  • Auditing internally and externally on policies, procedures and standards being followed and draft SOPs for implementation.
  • Prepare, plan, analyze and formulate Annual Budgets for the Council and submit budget request with proposal to Government for Grant request.
  • Developing proposals to request for donor fundings and monitoring its utilization.
  • Develop Service Standards for Council Services and delegate to Team for effective service delivery.
  • Attending to legal proceedings of Council for debt recovery and notices issued.
  • Develop Risk Framework including policy, schedule and plan for risk mitigation of Council asset and growth and maintaining of Asset Register.
  • Carry out awareness to the public in terms of any policies, procedures or strategies.
  • Ensuring the Team fully exercise its responsibilities and duties and complies with the Council’s policies and handling all complaints from ratepayers with maintenance of register.
  • Effectively manage the Human Resource of the organization according to policies and procedures with recruitment and selection process.
  • Implement and develop performance monitoring plans for the staffs on renewal of their contracts with Council.
  • Managing council projects with costing, overseeing, designing, implementation with contract drafting and oversee for its successful completion with growth in business and service opportunities.
  • Updating Council media pages (facebook and viber) and IT service (MYOB software).
  • Investigating on the fraudulent acts if any and implementing policies into the areas identified.
  • Meet and communicate regularly with the Special Administrators regarding corporate governance matters, corporate performance and feedback from Team members.

Accountant (Financial Controller/ Administration)

Labasa Town Council
12.2015 - 10.2019
  • Provide effective leadership to the Finance Team.
  • Lodgment of PAYE, Vat Returns, Fringe Benefit, FNPF and other tax.
  • Manage accounts receivable, accounts payable, fixed assets & payroll processing functions with year- end reconciliations.
  • Effectively carrying out monthly bank reconciliations.
  • Manage month-end, quarterly & year-end reports of the Council for the management.
  • Preparation of Councils Annual Budget & Corporate Plan and monitor implementation.
  • Effectively managing the Councils cash flow in a positive manner.
  • Prepare Annual Financial Statements & liaise with External Auditors for auditing of the same.
  • Ensure enhanced level of revenue collection & expenditure control.
  • Ensure compliance with other statutory rules & legislations with Local Government Act Cap 125.
  • Maintain sound accounting practices and processes including internal controls of the Council.
  • Maintain effective services under Library department with updated registers, newspaper gathering, computer services, membership fees.
  • Preparations of board papers for board approvals with all relevant documents.

Accountant

Davui Printery Limited
01.2010 - 01.2015
  • Bank Reconciliations and Cash books update.
  • Verify other account Reconciliation such as Creditors/Debtors.
  • Prepare and verify Payroll subject to FNPF and PAYE tax.
  • Prepare and Lodge VAT Returns “V- Form” and Reconciliation.
  • Updating Fixed Asset Register for the company.
  • Prepare final accounts from source documents and General Ledger.
  • Prepare and Lodge Tax Returns for Clients B-Forms, P-Forms, C- Forms, Annual Returns.
  • Conduct Audit on sight and contain audit files.
  • Managing and supervising of duties in absence of Managing Directors.

Accounts Officer

Nivis Motors
01.2009 - 01.2010

Attachee

Fiji National University
01.2009 - 01.2009

Education

Associate Member - undefined

CPA
01.2025

Member - undefined

IPA
01.2025

Masters of Commerce - Professional Accounting

The University of the South Pacific
01.2022

Postgraduate Diploma - Commerce- Professional Acc

The University of the South Pacific
01.2019

Bachelor of Commerce - Accounting and Management

Fiji National University
01.2017

Diploma - Business (Management)

Fiji National University
01.2009

Skills

  • Computing knowledge:
  • Ability to use MYOB, Quick Book, Winbiz Accounting Software and Navison Software
  • Ability to use Synergy Software, Info Council, Civica Authority, LG Solutions
  • Ability to use MS- Excel, MS-Word, Adobe Illustrator CS4 and Photoshop
  • Ability to prepare are carry out PowerPoint presentation
  • Communication Skills:
  • Good command of oral and written English and Hindi, Public speaking ability
  • Organization Skills:
  • Strong attention to details, set goals & formulate plan, Planning, Organizing, Leading and Controlling projects, public awareness
  • Interests:
  • Watching movies, traveling, Socializing with people
  • Carrier Objectives:
  • To integrate with developing organizations in order to enhance my skills and knowledge in the diversified field of their operations of accounting and administration

Certification

  • 2024 Certificate in Leadership Training
  • 2023 Local Government Affiliate Membership
  • 2023 Project Management Essentials
  • 2023 Certificate of Completion- Writing Skills for Government
  • 2023 Certificate of Completion- LG Professionals WA Governance Fundamentals
  • 2022 Fiji Institute of Technology- Affiliate Accountant
  • 2018 International Academy of Business and Financial Management [Member No. 51143]
  • 2016 Certificate of Participation in Financial Training
  • 2016 Certificate of Participation in Gender Responsive Budgeting
  • 2016 Certificate of Appreciation – Girmit Day
  • 2012 Manual Driving License
  • 2006 Australian Mathematics & Chemistry Quiz Certificates
  • 2005 Australian Mathematics Certificates

Languages

English
Professional Working

Timeline

Finance Manager

Walgett Shire Council
06.2024 - Current

Senior Finance Officer- Reporting

Shire of Carnarvon
10.2023 - Current

Chief Executive Officer (Administration/ Finance)

Savusavu Town Council
10.2019 - 09.2023

Accountant (Financial Controller/ Administration)

Labasa Town Council
12.2015 - 10.2019

Accountant

Davui Printery Limited
01.2010 - 01.2015

Accounts Officer

Nivis Motors
01.2009 - 01.2010

Attachee

Fiji National University
01.2009 - 01.2009

Associate Member - undefined

CPA

Member - undefined

IPA

Masters of Commerce - Professional Accounting

The University of the South Pacific

Postgraduate Diploma - Commerce- Professional Acc

The University of the South Pacific

Bachelor of Commerce - Accounting and Management

Fiji National University

Diploma - Business (Management)

Fiji National University
Seema Shiwani Dutt