Vicki Cobby
City Beach,WA
Summary
Results-driven Local Government Executive and qualified CPA with extensive experience in financial management and strategic leadership. Proven track record as CFO, overseeing budgets, audits, and financial performance to ensure accountability and transparency. Known for resilience and strategic thinking, fostering strong stakeholder relationships to drive organizational success.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Director Corporate and Community Services
Town of Cottesloe
Cottesloe, WA
09.2024 - Current
- Worked with the CEO and executive team in developing and delivering the strategic objectives of the Town.
- Accountable to the CEO for the proper management of Finance, Governance, Contracts and Leasing, IT, Community Development, Customer Service, and Events, in accordance with the Local Government Act 1995, and all other relevant Acts, local laws, regulations, and policies.
- Delivered the ERP project through the GOLIVE phase, and lead ongoing change initiatives, innovation, and process improvement.
- Developed strategic plans for organisational growth and performance of the directorate.
- Ongoing implementation of new and improved existing policies to enhance operational effectiveness.
- Recruited, trained, supervised, evaluated and mentored leaders within the organisation.
Manager Finance / CFO
Town of Cambridge
Floreat, Western Australia
02.2023 - 09.2024
- Manage the budget process and present budgets for Council consideration.
- Oversee the financial reporting process to ensure its timeliness and provide CFO signoff as the Accountable Authority.
- Review financial analysis and management reporting to ensure management is receiving meaningful advice and that documents are consistent and of a high quality.
- Oversee the payroll process including superannuation and ATO reporting.
- Monitor, coach and mentor direct reports to support the development of a high performing teams that are committed to the Town's values and quality services for our community.
- Establish, develop and maintain partnerships with others to continuously build an innovative, engaged, committed, productive team.
- Develop and implement operational plans to ensure compliance with statutory requirements and business continuity.
- Manage and report on finance use of resources.
- Provide timely advice that is relevant to the business.
- Contribute finance strategy to Corporate and Commercial strategic planning.
- Develop and implement finance policies that align with legislation and ensure appropriate delegations, and statutory authorisation.
- Identify business process improvements and implement as appropriate.
- Manage all financial audit requirements in a timely manner.
Acting Director Corporate and Commercial Services
Town of Cambridge
11.2023 - 04.2024
- As a member of the Executive Team, contribute to strategic corporate planning and initiatives.
- Develop high-level plans for the delivery of finance, corporate business services functions and commercial centre operations, in line with the Strategic Community Plan and Corporate Business Plan and allocated budgets.
- Provide effective and efficient strategic leadership of financial services, corporate business services, property, leasing, contracts and purchasing functions, and the Town's commercial operations, including high-level oversight of outside contracts and monitoring performance against agreed service levels.
- Monitor, coach and mentor the directorate's managers to support the development of high performing teams that are committed to the Town's values and quality services for our community.
- Establish, develop and maintain partnerships with others to continuously build an innovative, engaged, committed, productive team.
- Prepare items to be included in reports and agendas to Council, proactively identifying items that require broader corporate input and endorsement.
- Attend Council and committee meetings and provide input to Council and committee matters.
- Promptly implement decisions of Council and regularly report on their progress.
- Monitor relevant legislation and policies to ensure they are regularly reviewed (at least annually) and any changes or implications for the Town are implemented as soon as practicable.
Manager Finance
Town of Claremont
10.2019 - 02.2023
- Ensure the Finance team function professionally and efficiently to deliver exceptional service by leading, mentoring and supporting team members.
- Financial Reporting.
- Strategic Financial Planning.
- Preparation of Annual Budget and the mid-year budget review.
- Develop and maintain the Long-Term Financial Plan.
- Prepare and authorise financial and audit reports for Council and the Audit and Risk Management Committee.
- Liaise and facilitate Annual Financial Audit, Financial Management Regulations audit, assist with Regulation 17 audits & Compliance Audit Return.
- Rates modelling and oversee Rates function.
- Payroll & superannuation.
- Corporate Business Plan reporting and monitoring.
- Review of Town policies, delegations and procedures.
- Investments and Reserve management.
- Identify weaknesses and facilitate training of all staff in the Financial Management & Procurement System.
- Several delegated authorities including primary bank signatory on Town payments.
Owner & Bookkeeper (Part-time)
Broome Cycles
04.2018 - 04.2022
- Strategic direction and decision making.
- Responsible for all bookkeeping, BAS, PAYG.
- Weekly payroll and superannuation.
- Set up of company general ledger and conversion from MYOB to QuickBooks.
Senior Finance Officer
Shire of Broome
10.2016 - 09.2019
- Monthly Financial Reporting.
- Asset acquisitions and disposals, depreciation.
- Budget preparation.
- Quarterly budget variance reporting & budget amendments.
- Reserve Register maintenance / Term Deposit management.
- ABC costings / Plant Auto Recoveries.
- Grant acquittals.
- FBT returns.
- Bank signatory & approving payments.
Office & HR Manager / Part Owner
Broome Toyota / Broome Holden / Broome Hyundai / Broome Nissan
03.2009 - 10.2016
- Strategic direction and decision making.
- Responsible for effective and accurate performance of administration team.
- Fortnightly payroll and superannuation.
- Implementation & coordination of Toyota Standards Program.
- Recruitment and training.
Education
Ignite 2 - Leading With Impact And Agility - Local Government
LG Professionals WA
Perth, WA05-2025
CPA - Business/Management Accountancy
CPA Australia
06-2024
Ignite Leadership Program - Local Government
LG Professionals WA
Perth, WA08-2022
Bachelor of Business - Double Major - Accounting and Finance
Edith Cowan University
Western AustraliaYear 12 -
St Mary's Anglican Girls School
Karrinyup, Western AustraliaSkills
- Financial analysis and budgeting
- Project management and strategy
- Team leadership and compliance
- Regulatory oversight
- Stakeholder engagement
- Policy development
- Analytical thinking
- Collaboration skills
Affiliations
- Life Member - National Basketball League One West - 314 games (16 seasons)
- Bronze medal - Heptathlon - World Masters Athletics Championship - Brazil - 2013
- Bronze medal - 4 x 400m relay - World Masters Athletics Championship - Brazil - 2013
- State Record - 80m Hurdles - W50
- State Record - Pole Vault - W40
- State Record - Pole Vault - W45
An Athletes Mindset
As a semi-professional athlete, I spent years training in my area of expertise. Throughout this time, I spent just as much time working on my weaknesses. Many of these honed and perfected skills transfer effectively in the corporate world. I show up prepared, I take and apply feedback, I'm adaptable, flexible, and composed in a crisis, I have the patience, perseverance, and dedication for achieving long-term goals, and I work exceptionally well as a leader of a team.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Director Corporate and Community Services
Town of Cottesloe
09.2024 - Current
Acting Director Corporate and Commercial Services
Town of Cambridge
11.2023 - 04.2024
Manager Finance / CFO
Town of Cambridge
02.2023 - 09.2024
Manager Finance
Town of Claremont
10.2019 - 02.2023
Owner & Bookkeeper (Part-time)
Broome Cycles
04.2018 - 04.2022
Senior Finance Officer
Shire of Broome
10.2016 - 09.2019
Office & HR Manager / Part Owner
Broome Toyota / Broome Holden / Broome Hyundai / Broome Nissan
03.2009 - 10.2016
Ignite 2 - Leading With Impact And Agility - Local Government
LG Professionals WA
CPA - Business/Management Accountancy
CPA Australia
Ignite Leadership Program - Local Government
LG Professionals WA
Bachelor of Business - Double Major - Accounting and Finance
Edith Cowan University
Year 12 -
St Mary's Anglican Girls School
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