Thilini Gunaratna
Melbourne,VIC
Summary
Seasoned auditing professional knowledgeable about risk aversion strategies, cost reduction options and financial processes. Decisive and persuasive communicator with proven problem-solving, leadership and planning abilities.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Treasurer
The Millennium Gavel Club
07.2022 - 03.2024
- Worked closely with the club counsellor to align financial decisions with organizational goals and priorities.
- Managed cash flow effectively, ensuring the timely payment of bills and reimbursements to members.
- Reconciled monthly statements, invoices and expense accounts, keeping records accurate, and current.
- Ensured compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, maintaining meticulous financial records for audit purposes.
- Facilitated smooth transitions between treasurers by creating comprehensive training materials and providing ongoing mentorship.
- Safeguarded club assets through diligent oversight of all banking transactions and account reconciliations.
Head of Internal Audit
Royal Ceramics Lanka PLC
04.2021 - 11.2023
- Developed comprehensive annual audit plans to address key areas of risk within the organization.
- Conducted thorough investigations into reported instances of fraud or misconduct, maintaining high ethical standards throughout the process.
- Evaluated the organization's regulatory compliance with statutory provisions applicable to listed entities and the adherence with the Code for Best Practices on Corporate Governance.
- Conducted regular training sessions for staff members on various topics related to internal audit principles, improving overall understanding within the organization.
- Enhanced internal audit processes by implementing risk-based auditing strategies and methodologies.
- Streamlined audit reporting for improved efficiency and clarity, ensuring timely communication of findings to stakeholders.
- Improved internal controls by identifying gaps in existing policies and procedures and recommending corrective actions.
- Presented audit findings and recommendations to the Board Audit Committee, demonstrating clear communication skills and ability to influence decision-making at the highest levels of the organization.
- Identified cost-saving opportunities through detailed analysis of financial statements, leading to increased profitability for the company.
- Managed a team of auditors, providing guidance, development opportunities, and performance feedback for continuous improvement.
- Championed cross-departmental collaboration, ensuring a holistic approach to risk management and process improvement initiatives.
- Established strong relationships with senior management, promoting open communication and collaboration on audit findings and recommendations.
Treasurer
The Millennium Toastmasters Club
07.2020 - 06.2022
- Worked closely with the club president to align financial decisions with the club's goals and priorities.
- Managed cash flow effectively, ensuring the timely payment of bills and reimbursements to members.
- Ensured timely collection of membership fees from the club's members and duly submitted to Toastmasters International.
- Reconciled monthly statements, invoices and expense accounts, keeping records accurate, and current.
- Ensured compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, maintaining meticulous financial records for audit purposes.
- Safeguarded club assets through diligent oversight of all banking transactions and account reconciliations.
- Maintained transparent communication with club members regarding the club's finances, promoting trust and credibility.
Chief Internal Auditor
Royal Ceramics Lanka PLC
04.2011 - 03.2021
- Evaluated IT security measures implemented throughout the organization; offered recommendations on how to address identified vulnerabilities while minimizing potential risks related to data breaches or system failures.
- Reduced operational risks through regular audits, identification of process gaps, and providing actionable recommendations.
- Improved internal control systems by collaborating with management to design and implement robust policies and procedures.
- Supported decision-making processes by presenting relevant audit findings to senior management in a clear and concise manner.
- Streamlined audit processes by developing comprehensive audit programs and guidelines for various business units.
- Safeguarded company assets by identifying areas of potential loss or misappropriation during audits, recommending corrective actions as necessary.
- Mentored junior members of the audit team; fostered a collaborative work environment encouraging knowledge sharing and continuous learning among colleagues.
- Assisted external auditors in their work as needed; collaborating closely with them helped maintain cooperative relationships between both parties involved in the auditing process.
- Participated in cross-functional projects with other departments, providing expert advice on internal controls and risk mitigation strategies.
- Engaged in the implementation of the Financial, Inventory and Fixed Asset modules of Oracle ERP within the organization.
Audit Supervisor
KPMG Sri Lanka - (External Audit Division)
06.2008 - 04.2009
- Planned audits and audit activities to allocate necessary resources and determine consistency of plans with audit objectives.
- Performed detailed analytics on financial data to detect anomalies indicative of potential issues or control weaknesses.
- Improved audit efficiency by streamlining processes and implementing new audit methodologies.
- Maintained communication with the clients throughout auditing process to deliver status updates.
- Evaluated fraud risks during audits, recommending preventive measures to mitigate potential financial losses.
- Trained new audit personnel to perform duties according to regulations and established procedures.
Audit Senior
KPMG Sri Lanka - (External Audit Division)
10.2005 - 05.2008
- Developed strong relationships with clients, addressing concerns promptly and providing timely updates on progress throughout the engagement process.
- Conducted walkthroughs of various business processes, gaining an in-depth understanding of operations while identifying potential control weaknesses.
- Completed audit papers by thoroughly documenting audit tests and findings.
- Assisted in the preparation of audit reports, presenting findings clearly and concisely to senior management for review.
- Performed data analytics using advanced tools such as the IDEA software which led to better identification of patterns related inconsistencies.
- Identified management control weaknesses and provided value added suggestions for remediation.
- Provided guidance to junior auditors on best practices, fostering a collaborative working environment and enhancing team performance.
- Managed multiple engagements simultaneously, prioritizing tasks effectively to meet client deadlines consistently.
Education
MBA - Business Administration
University of West London
United Kingdom04.2020
Skills
Internal Audit
Forensic Audit
Financial Accounting and Bookkeeping
Process improvements
Team building and Team leadership
Specific areas of interest
- Bookkeeping & Financial Accounting
- Internal Auditing
Personal Information
Residency: Australian PR holder
Referees
Can be provided upon request.
Timeline
Treasurer
The Millennium Gavel Club
07.2022 - 03.2024
Head of Internal Audit
Royal Ceramics Lanka PLC
04.2021 - 11.2023
Treasurer
The Millennium Toastmasters Club
07.2020 - 06.2022
Chief Internal Auditor
Royal Ceramics Lanka PLC
04.2011 - 03.2021
Audit Supervisor
KPMG Sri Lanka - (External Audit Division)
06.2008 - 04.2009
Audit Senior
KPMG Sri Lanka - (External Audit Division)
10.2005 - 05.2008
MBA - Business Administration
University of West London
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