Shelby Earl

Partner - Ballarat

Shelby Earl is a Partner in RSM Australia's Audit and Assurance division, based in Ballarat and working with clients across Ballarat, Albury, Gosford and Wagga Wagga.

As a Registered Company Auditor who has built her entire career in external audit, Shelby provides audit and assurance services to government, not-for-profit, manufacturing, property and construction organisations, as well as family-owned, regional and middle-market businesses.

She specialises in financial statement audits, statutory audits, financial reporting advice, CFO advisory and trust account audits. Shelby is recognised for helping organisations navigate increasingly complex financial reporting and governance requirements while delivering practical audit insights that strengthen internal controls, improve compliance and support confident decision-making. 

Having grown up in a regional community, she is committed to helping businesses across regional Australia build sustainable organisations and achieve long-term success. Her approach combines technical expertise with practical recommendations that help organisations manage risk, meet their regulatory obligations and continue to grow with confidence.

"For me, an audit is about more than meeting compliance requirements. It should provide practical insights that help organisations strengthen governance, manage risk and make confident decisions for the future."

Outside of work, Shelby enjoys travelling, reading and staying active. She has travelled to more than 20 countries and enjoys experiencing different cultures and perspectives. She also remains actively involved with the Dunolly Football Netball Club, where she previously played 200 senior games and now contributes through coaching, the social committee and supporting the local community.

SOLUTIONS PROVIDED

• Financial statement audits
• Statutory audits
• Financial reporting advice
• CFO advisory
• Solicitor trust account audits
• Real Estate trust account audits
• Regulatory compliance support
• Grant acquittal audits
   

SIGNIFICANT PROJECTS

• One of Shelby's most significant achievements has been helping shape and expand RSM's regional Audit and Assurance presence across regional Australia. Working with organisations throughout Ballarat, Albury, Wagga Wagga, Gosford and surrounding communities, she has supported clients through periods of growth, governance change and increasing regulatory complexity while contributing to the development of a sustainable regional audit practice. This work reflects her strong connection to regional communities and her commitment to strengthening opportunities for businesses and professionals outside metropolitan centres.
• During a financial statement audit, Shelby identified a fraud risk relating to supplier bank account changes, where payment processes relied too heavily on a single individual without appropriate independent verification. By raising the issue through the audit process and recommending practical improvements to internal controls, the organisation significantly reduced its exposure to payment fraud. The engagement demonstrated how independent audit services can deliver practical outcomes that extend well beyond statutory compliance and improve an organisation's overall risk management framework.
• Shelby has also worked alongside long-standing clients such as A W Nicholson as the business has grown into a successful regional organisation. Throughout that journey, she has supported stronger financial reporting, enhanced governance frameworks and helped management navigate the increasing complexity that accompanies business growth. Her long-term involvement has enabled the business to strengthen its reporting processes while giving boards and management greater confidence in their financial information and governance.

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

• Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ)
•  Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD)

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting and Quantitative Business Analysis) (Distinction), Deakin University
• Chartered Accountant (CAANZ)
• Registered Company Auditor
• Public Practice Certificate
• Certificate III in Business
• Certificate IV in Business Administration
• Approved External Examiner – Solicitor Trust Accounts (Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland)

 AWARDS

• Auditor of the year in 2022 in the Women in Finance Awards