Renu Thomas, CA

Experience

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  Dick Smith Electronics

  Aug 2004 - Dec 2006

  Senior Salesperson

  Duties included everything from selling to and advising customers, counting cash and maintaining the store; to attending regular trainings on selling techniques and new products, and having to know about a very wide range of products.At DSE I maintained strong working relationships with all the people I worked with and held the position of senior salesperson - giving me responsibility of new employees as well as authority over issues like refunds, exchanges and price changes. In my time there I also passed their Grade 1 Retail Sales Papers. Show less

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  Sunglass Hut Tawa

  Jul 2007 - Jul 2008

  Retail Associate/2nd In-Charge

  In this position I have extended my skills, doing managerial tasks as well as top customer service. Responsibilities included opening and closing store; regular store maintenance and re-merchandising; daily frame counts; running monthly stock-takes; completing refund reports; and submitting payroll weekly.

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  Inland Revenue Department

  Dec 2008 - Nov 2010

  Customer Service Specialist (CSS)

  I dealt with a wide range of customers and their enquiries in high pressure situations both on an inbound and outbound calling context. In delivering both good and bad news on a daily basis I have further developed my communication skills in conveying what can be complex and/or sensitive issues while staying within the boundaries of legislation and IRD's principles and objectives. I have had extensive training in general tax, personal tax, and Working for Families Tax Credits and have achieved 100% results for tax technical knowledge and customer service on a monthly basis. Show less

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  BDO Wellington

  Feb 2011 - Apr 2014

  Audit Senior

  • I started at BDO as junior auditor and over three years furthered my technical audit and accounting skills, general problem-solving skills, and expanded my financial reporting knowledge through regular trainings and through taking on different roles within the audit team.• On top of this I have also developed my people management skills so as to be an efficient, organised and effective Auditor-in-Charge (AIC) and Audit Supervisor for a wide variety of clients (including public, not-for-profit, and commercials entities of varying sizes). • This role regularly requires management of graduates, monitoring workflow and deadlines, maintaining client rapport and communication; as well as problem-solving, discussing and making decisions with audit managers and partners.• As AIC or Audit Supervisor, I reviewed junior’s work, looked after audits from ‘cradle to grave’, manage and dealt with limited resources, a wide range of client management teams (of different styles and levels of receptiveness), and time pressure situations. Show less

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  Z Energy NZ

  Apr 2014 - Jun 2017

  • Played a critical supporting role in Z Energy’s $785m acquisition of Chevron New Zealand (Caltex), particularly in the stabilisation phase involving accounting and purchase price allocation within 8 months of merger • Managed internal and external financial reporting, including Quarterly Operational Data releases, year end and half year financial results (including preparation of annual report), and analyst queries • Liaised successfully with internal and external stakeholders, including auditors, members of the investor relations team, C Suite executive management, and Board members• Led and developed a team of six direct reports, instilling a sense of excellent service delivery across all roles• Fostered and nurtured a culture of inclusiveness and integration between colleagues and the wider Business services Team: in various organising and engagement committees, organised offsites and presented roadshows Show less This role involved taking on a high level of responsibility and accountability within the product accounting team, and being point-person for month-end calculations and reporting of our FIFO and replacement cost inventory valuations. • While in this role I worked closely with my manager in fostering knowledge and understanding across all levels of management around Replacement Cost accounting, and was instrumental in discussions and decisions made around how Cost of Sales adjustments were reported, and impacts of BP-Z Optimisation programme wash-ups. • The role also involved preparation of our daily transfer price, monthly Customs excise return, and responding to ad-hoc queries and completing analysis as required. As well as providing help, support, and guidance to my workmates.As well as providing help, support, and guidance to my workmates. Show less • Assisted the Inventory and Capex team with daily and monthly accounting tasks including reviewing and processing crude oil and product invoices, capitalising WIP, and calculating accruals (such as purchases, LAFT, rebates, and capex). Also maintained strong relationships with different teams within the business and external vendors. • In this role I also developed a policy and methodology for capitalising labour costs (value $1.1m p.a.), as well as improving efficiency and streamlining of processes. I also worked with IT developers to improve capex systems so as to enable more automation. Show less

  • Financial Reporting Manager

    Nov 2015 - Jun 2017

  • Product Accountant

    Mar 2015 - Oct 2015

  • Assistant Product and Fixed Asset Accountant

    Apr 2014 - Feb 2015
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  Chorus NZ Limited

  Jul 2017 - Apr 2021

  Group Reporting Manager

  KEY ACHIEVEMENTS• Demonstrating strong management and leadership capabilities in a role, overseeing a 10-person professional team covering Fixed Assets, Treasury, and Financial Accounting and Reporting, for a publicly listed entity (NZX Top 50 Index, ASX).• Managing successful early adoption of the three new accounting standards (NZ IFRS 9, NZ IFRS 15, NZ IFRS 16), embedding them into BAU and overseeing subsequent audit and market disclosures• Business Owner on a number of finance system projects, working in close collaboration with members of the IT Team: including transitioning and implementing SAP BW4Hana, Tableau reporting tool, Blackline system for General Ledger reconciliations, G-Treasury, SAP park and post functionality, and a new SAP lease accounting module• Developed Finance Recognition awards and developed various other initiatives to foster engagement and personal development across the wider the CFO team• One of 25 employees selected for the ‘Up’ programme led by Amanda Millar & Co. exclusively for senior female leaders in Chorus, for development of leadership and presentation skillsRESPONSIBILITIES• Completing a full spectrum of internal and external reporting functions on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis• Managing back office treasury settlements and hedge accounting, monitoring the fixed asset register, and exercising effective financial management of corporate business units• Implementing and monitoring internal controls, providing technical advice and managing auditor relationships• Managing half year and year end reporting procedures for a publicly listed company – working across executive leadership, finance, legal, treasury, and investor relations; ultimately presenting financial results to the Board of Directors• Leading the Group’s Information Disclosure submission to the Commerce Commission, the New Zealand Regulatory body• Developing and nurturing a culture of continuous business improvement, process and systems efficiency Show less

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  NEOM

  May 2021 - May 2024

  Financial Control Manager

  KEY ACHIEVEMENTS• Demonstrating strong leadership, vision and people skills in the largest start-up project in the world. This required relocating to NEOM Base Camp located in a remote area of North-West, Saudi Arabia.• Built the centralised financial accounting function – leading a team of 30 accounting professionals over the last 3 years, with both contractors and FTE staff, and an intentionally wide range of diverse representation. • Navigating and leading the team through multiple concurrent and significant substantive audits, both internal and external.• Managing the reporting and accounting requirements around the incorporation of five directly-owned subsidiaries and five joint ventures - acquired through commercial acquisitions, carve-outs, and royal decrees.• Continuously evolving and developing the financial systems, mainly SAP, to enable more automation and build and test fit-for-purpose functionality. • One of 50 employees (across 4,000 staff) selected for the High Potential employee strategic leadership program facilitated University of Michigan Ross. RESPONSIBILITIES• Ensuring and continuously improving the integrity of the general ledger and financial information of NEOM, for a USD $500B project.• Leading the General Ledger, SAP Accounting Support, Accounts Receivable and Revenue Accounting function.• Testing and implementation of various system solutions.• Implementation of SOX compliant controls, and supporting with audit justifications and risk assessments. Show less