John Findlay

Partner - Ballarat

"I pride myself on establishing excellent relationships with my clients and delivering timely cost-effective audit and assurance services for my diverse client base. I am respected for my pragmatic and commercially based solutions to complex financial accounting and reporting issues that have arisen with my clients over the past 30 years."

Prior to joining RSM in Ballarat in 2016, John was an Audit Partner with a mid-tier firm.

John has previously worked for the Department of Treasury and Finance on secondment from the Victorian Auditor-General’s Office (VAGO). Working there for 14 months, John was a senior member of the Secretariat supporting the Independent Review of State Finances Panel (IFRS). John was an Assistant Auditor-General with the VAGO from April 2007 where he was responsible for the Financial Audit Business Unit with a client base of 570 and $20m turnover.

Prior to moving to Victoria, John had 24 years in the Queensland public sector with 9 years in senior audit roles with the Queensland Audit Office.

John is passionate about keeping fit through cycling, hiking, and working out in his home gym.

John Findlay is a Partner of RSM Australia Partners and a Director of RSM Australia Pty Ltd.

SOLUTIONS JOHN PROVIDES

•   Providing expert financial audit services
•   Technical accounting advice
•   Preparation of financial statements
•   Conduct of grant acquittals
•   Financial statement, compliance and risk management reviews
•   Internal control and accounting system reviews
•   Advising boards and committees on matters of corporate governance

SIGNIFICANT PROJECTS

•   Webster Dolilta Finance Ltd (WDF)

A Ballarat based company operating since 1966, WDF's main activities are raising funds by issuing secured notes and lending on the security of registered mortgages over freehold land. Investor funds held have grown from $90.6m as of 30 September 2020 to $98m as of 30 September 2021, and lending has grown from $66.6m as of 30 September 2020 to $75m as of 30 September 2021. John has had the pleasure of having this client for the last 6 years.

•   UFS Dispensaries Ltd (UFS)

UFS has been providing pharmaceutical goods and services and medical services to its members and the broader community for over 140 years. UFS operations 19 pharmacies in the western region of Victoria, as well as other business units, including UFS Medical, Supercare Nursing Services, and Peace & Quiet day spa. For the financial year ended 30 June 2021, UFS's revenue was $82.7m, net assets total was $37.9m with a surplus of $3.3m. John has had the pleasure of having this client for the last 6 years and prior to that with another firm.

ASSOCIATIONS

•   Fellow, CPA Australia
•   Affiliate Member, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ)
•   Member, Institute of Internal Auditors (MIIA)
•   Member, Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD)

REGISTRATIONS

•   Registered Company Auditor (RCA)
•   Registered Self-Managed Superannuation Fund Auditor
•   Public Practice Certificate, CPA Australia

QUALIFICATIONS

•   Master of Business (Accountancy), Queensland University of Technology
•   Bachelor of Business (Accountancy), Queensland University of Technology
•   Bachelor of Laws, Queensland University of Technology
•   Graduate Diploma in Company Secretarial Practice, Chartered Secretaries Australia