I'm in the USA, I'm doing the CFA, but can I get a job back in Aus? REVIEW MY RESUME

"I have been working abroad since 2003 and am now looking to return to Australia. Given my overseas experience (primarily in alternative-investment-fund financial reporting), I want to know how I would be received by Australian employers - e.g. investment fund managers, public accounting firms, corporations or banks."

"I am also enrolled in the CFA Level 1, with my exam in June 2011. I am keen to move into the investments/finance area and move away from my traditional role as a financial reporting accountant. What sort of job opportunities would be open to me post CFA?"

How will she fare in the local job market? Check out her CV and let us know your thoughts in the comments box below.

PROFILE

A competent Certified Practising Accountant (Australia) with strong interpersonal and communication skills, enthusiastic and motivated to succeed. Pro-active approach to management, with broad experience in the preparation and consolidation of financial statements for offshore investment funds, private trusts and companies.

EXPERIENCE

Funds management firm, West Coast, USA (Oct 2009 to present)

Senior Finance Officer

· Management and preparation of audited and consolidated annual and interim financial reporting for a closed ended timber-related investment fund that has a portfolio of multiple local and foreign subsidiaries (the "Fund").

· Forecast the consolidated annual results of the Fund based on portfolio budgets prepared by the portfolio managers.

· Liaise with the Operations Controller, Portfolio Managers and various associates in foreign jurisdictions to ensure consolidated financial reporting accurately reflects the structure and operations of the Fund's portfolio.

· Liaise with Senior Management, the Board of Directors and the Fund's Corporate Brokers to provide management information on the financial results as requested.

· Liaise with internal experts regarding the valuation of land, biological assets and other minority investments for incorporation in the consolidated financial reports.

· Liaise with the Fund's Auditors, Fund Administrators, Audit Committee and Board of Directors throughout the annual and interim financial reporting process to resolve queries and finalise the consolidated reporting for regulatory purposes.

· Participate in the preparation of consolidated cash flow projections and performance measurement statistics for the Fund and its portfolio.

· Participate in the treasury, cash management and foreign exchange issues of the Fund.

· Received praise from the Senior Management and the Audit Committee of the Fund for stepping in at the last minute and successfully completing the 2009 annual audit.

International bank, UK

March 2009 to August 2009 - acting Client Accounting Manager

June 2008 to February 2009 - acting Client Accounting Assistant Manager

· Management of a team of 5, attending to administrative issues, conducting appraisals, devising and implementing improvements to processes, delegating tasks and providing on the job training.

· Liaise with various internal departments and senior management on client needs and operational requirements

· Manage the migration of our statutory reporting function to the financial reporting team in Luxembourg from May 2009 to August 2009. Provided on-site training to a European team in June 2009 on operational and accounts production processes.

· Provided on-site training in India during June/July 2008 to bank's outsourcing team to migrate the draft accounts process for various funds and train on other work processes.

The same international bank, Ireland (May 2007 to May 2008)

Client Accounting Supervisor

· Assist team management and staff with a variety of ad hoc queries and requests from internal and external parties.

· Conduct reviews of compliant annual and interim financial statements for open and closed ended offshore investment funds and protected cell companies.

· Provided extensive on-site training to members of the Indian office on various aspects of the fund accounts preparation process, from basic procedures to more technical/complex aspects.

The same international bank, Ireland (November 2004 to April 2007)

Senior Client Accounting Administrator

· Preparation of compliant annual reports for open or closed ended offshore investment funds and protected cell companies.

· Liaised with Fund Administrators, auditors, clients and printers to identify and resolve queries, implement audit points and proof the published financial statements.

· Transactions based on investments in third party managed global share portfolios for listed and unlisted equities and other managed funds.

Boutique bank, UK (January 2003 to October 2004)

Contract Trust Accountant, Private Client Services Division

· Preparation and review of individual and group financial reports for private trust and company offshore clients.

· Transactions based on investments in custodian and third party global share portfolios and managed funds, property investments, unlisted trusts and companies.

Accountancy firm, Perth, Australia (March 2002 to November 2002)

Senior Accountant, Wealth and Creation Division

· Preparation of compliant financial reports, income tax and regulatory returns for Self Managed Superannuation Funds.

The same accountancy firm, Perth, Australia (August 2000 to February 2002)

Senior Accountant, Business Advisory Services Division

· Preparation of management accounts and income tax returns, quarterly taxation statements and fringe benefit tax returns for companies, trusts, partnerships and individuals in a variety of industries and structures.

· Supervision and delegation of work to graduate and intermediate accountants.

EDUCATION/QUALIFICATIONS

CFA Institute, United States of America

Enrolled in CFA Program, Level 1 (June 2011 exam)

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, United Kingdom

December 2004: Diploma in International Financial Reporting

CPA Australia, Australia

November 2001: Certified Practising Accountant qualification

University in Western Australia

1995 - 1997: Bachelor of Business (Accounting) with Distinction

Professional Memberships

Certified Practising Accountant, CPA Australia

PC Skills

Conversant with the following accounting packages and office applications:

· Advent Geneva accounting system

· Microsoft Word, Excel & PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat