Yanfei Cheng
Sydney,Australia
Summary
Experienced and qualified property finance leader with over 15 years in commercial real estate, fund accounting, and property portfolio management. Proven success in delivering financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and trust accounting for large-scale property portfolios. Adept at managing teams, driving process improvement, leading system migrations, and strengthening client relationships. Highly proficient in property financial systems, including Yardi, MRI, SAP, and Microsoft Dynamics. A strategic thinker and hands-on executor, with a strong record of supporting key clients and asset teams to achieve business goals.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Divisional Finance Manager – Office
GPT Group
Sydney
09.2022 - Current
- Delivered monthly financial and management reports with variance analysis to track asset performance across commercial portfolios
- Led quarterly and annual budgeting and forecasting, contributing insights to portfolio-level presentations for senior management
- Conducted annual outgoings reconciliations, ensuring lease compliance and audit readiness
- Oversaw capital expenditure alignment with budgets, project delivery, and reporting frameworks
- Reviewed and validated data from external property managers, integrating financials into GPT systems
- Assessed doubtful debts and provided recommendations to support credit risk management
- Contributed data for investor reports, audit schedules, and valuation submissions
- Provided process training to asset teams and managed a Property Accountant
Director – Client Financial Services
Knight Frank Australia
07.2021 - 08.2022
- Managed a team of 6 accountants delivering reporting for a national portfolio of 100+ retail properties and promotional funds
- Acted as the primary finance contact for high-profile clients including SCA, Mapletree, and Aqualand
- Built strong client relationships and represented finance at stakeholder meetings and presentations
- Identified and implemented process enhancements, aligning system workflows with client expectations
- Delivered training to property managers and clients on revised financial systems and procedures
Associate Director – Asset Management
Cushman & Wakefield
10.2016 - 06.2021
- Delivered full trust accounting and reporting for 20+ commercial properties nationally
- Led system migration from Yardi to MRI, enhancing data accuracy and workflow efficiency
- Onboarded large portfolios including Home Consortium and Heathley (Centuria), ensuring seamless data transition
- Standardized client financial reports and automated recurring processes (e.g. management fees)
- Acted as finance lead in cross-functional meetings with asset and operations leaders
- Supervised 2 direct reports and managed an offshore processing team of 10 professionals
Finance Manager
CB Richard Ellis (CBRE)
06.2014 - 09.2016
- Managed financial reporting at both property and fund levels for commercial clients
- Built fund-level reporting packs from scratch, streamlining portfolio analysis
- Completed 10 years of outgoings reconciliations for a strata asset group, clearing long-standing audit issues
- Maintained strong communication with property managers and off-shore trust teams for data accuracy
Management Accountant (Contract)
LendLease
11.2013 - 04.2014
- Delivered dual workload due to project downsizing, ensuring timely monthly reporting and reconciliations
- Completed balance sheet reconciliations, BAS returns, and accruals for overheads and project costs
- Issued construction financial reports and managed AP/AR, general ledger, and job-level updates
Property Accountant (Contract)
Charter Hall Group
06.2011 - 04.2013
- Delivered monthly reporting, budgeting, rent rolls, and reconciliations for office and retail assets
- Played a key role in onboarding newly acquired properties and migrating from MRI to Yardi Voyager
- Led system troubleshooting and provided training to non-accounting users
- Prepared audit materials and supported post-settlement reconciliations and reporting automation
Senior Financial Accountant
Ashe Morgan Winthrop
12.2007 - 12.2010
- Managed group-level reporting, tax lodgments (BAS, FBT, APRA), and audit preparation
- Represented finance team in JV board meetings with partners such as Bank of Scotland
- Handled a NSW payroll tax audit solo, reconciling 5 years of data and documentation
- Oversaw serviced resort property accounts and mentored one Assistant Accountant
Assistant Accountant
Urwin Fernandez Operations Pty Ltd
07.2002 - 09.2005
- Supported full-cycle accounting for hotel and intellectual property joint ventures
- Assisted in financial management of projects backed by Marriott International and Commonwealth Bank
- Prepared reconciliations, month-end reports, and audit support documentation
Education
Bachelor of Business - Accounting & Information Technology
University of Technology
Sydney01.2002
Skills
- Financial and management reporting
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Trust accounting and compliance
- Outgoings reconciliation
- Customer relationship management
- Financial system migration (Yardi MRI)
- Team leadership and training
- Portfolio onboarding
- Portfolio management
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Team leadership
- Audit and external reporting
- Proficient in: Yardi, MRI, SAP, Anaplan, Navision, Microsoft Dynamics AX, Nexus Payable, CoreVision, Great Plains, GreenTree, Lotus Notes
Certification
- CPA Australia – Member since 2009
- Completed Program (2003 – 2005)
References
Available upon request
Timeline
Divisional Finance Manager – Office
GPT Group
09.2022 - Current
Director – Client Financial Services
Knight Frank Australia
07.2021 - 08.2022
Associate Director – Asset Management
Cushman & Wakefield
10.2016 - 06.2021
Finance Manager
CB Richard Ellis (CBRE)
06.2014 - 09.2016
Management Accountant (Contract)
LendLease
11.2013 - 04.2014
Property Accountant (Contract)
Charter Hall Group
06.2011 - 04.2013
Senior Financial Accountant
Ashe Morgan Winthrop
12.2007 - 12.2010
Assistant Accountant
Urwin Fernandez Operations Pty Ltd
07.2002 - 09.2005
Bachelor of Business - Accounting & Information Technology
University of Technology
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