Ascern Advisers

Ascern Advisers is Australia's premier provider of CFO Services for small to medium sized enterprises. 

Our trusted CFOs help business owners and operators grow faster, generate value, and achieve their business and personal goals.

Commercially experienced CFOs | Zero recruitment fees | ready for action

Founder | CFO

Dads Group

Dads Group is about changing the culture of fatherhood for the better. We promote positive parenting for men and give new Dads the support and connection they need.

Non Executive Director

Department of Employment, Small Business and Training

Business Mentor, Mentoring for Growth Program

Queensland Cradle Care

Queensland Cradle Care supports mothers and families in the critical time after mum and baby return home after birth.

Director

Dutch Chamber of Commerce Queensland

Dutch Chamber of Commerce Queensland is a business platform supporting the commercial interests of The Netherlands and Queensland.

Board Secretary

Blue Mountain Co

Blue Mountain Co is offering products that deliver an effective rain harvesting system for homes and businesses.

Chief Financial Officer

INSELEC

Inselec is a Specialty Electrical Workforce provider supplying electrical workers to Commercial, Infrastructure, Solar, and other projects across Australia.

IntoWork Australia

IntoWork Australia is a Not-For-Profit group specialising in recruitment, employment, training, and Disability community and employment services. MRAEL merged into the Group in 2016.

Group Chief Financial Officer

MRAEL is a Not-For-Profit business specialising in recruitment, employment, training, and employment services. The Group operates throughout Queensland with its Group Training Organisation, Registered Training Organisation, Australian Apprentice Support Network and Senior Secondary School Trade College.

Chief Financial Officer, MRAEL

GM Finance, MRAEL

Energex

Energex is a top 100 Australian company with more than $7 billion in total assets. EsiTrain is Energex’s Registered Training Organisation responsible for technical training of field staff to work on the network. Electricity Distribution.

EsiTrain Business Manager

Li & Fung Limited

Finance Manager/Controller - Promocean

Providing Part-time CFOs to grow your business | Founder at Ascern

In Australia, there are approximately 2.5 million SMEs all needing financial guidance. But there are only 100,000 CFOs.


Without solid financial data and knowledge, many business owners struggle to make the best decisions. This is where a Fractional CFO can make all the difference.



◾️ABOUT ME

​Financial Executive bringing Australian & International commercial experience to Australian SMEs.

I work with Owners, MDs, GMs and management teams. 

Experienced in goods and services industries including manufacturing, import / export, wholesale / distribution labour hire / recruitment, NFP, training / education, NFP, NDIS.



◾️CLIENT NEEDS

💡 Growing businesses struggling to manage cashflow

💡 Businesses that have plateaued

💡 Owners preparing the business to exit

💡 Family businesses transitioning to the new generation

💡 Companies reaching the limits of team and system capability

💡 Finance teams, managers, & executives needing training, coaching & mentoring



◾️ENGAGEMENTS / EXPERTISE

💪 Strategic Planning & Direction

💪 Financial Forecasting, Reporting & Analysis

💪 Cashflow Improvement

💪 Working Capital Management

💪 Risk Management

💪 Process & System Efficiencies

💪 Finance team - Training, Coaching & Mentoring


◾️TESTIMONIALS

🗣️ “The Ascern team have become an integral part of our business. David’s insights, planning, forecasting and guidance have taken our business to new heights, something we couldn’t have done without him.” - Clarke Services Group

🗣️ “His advice and ability to identify our key financial & operational metrics has helped us immensely on our journey." - DD Group International

🗣️ “David is like a multilingual translator that can communicate the extensive financial drivers into a language capable of being understood by many different levels and backgrounds in the team." - 3eeBusiness"



◾️Contact
✉️david@ascern.com.au


◾️Success Stories
💻 www.ascern.com.au 


◾️Discovery Call
🔎 https://calendar.app.google/fv4RPXWcTDWC1SCf6

David Harreveld

Matthew Thompson

Divisional CFO

The Virtual CFO Group Australia

I merged with a leading Virtual CFO firm . As a result of our use of models, structures and progressive thinking we will soon be the only 7 Figure CFO firm in Australia and strive to be a critical support arm to the Small business sector who desperately struggle to get affordable quality financial support. We will also continue to lead the way so that others will eventually follow for the good of the industry.

As a Virtual Chief Financial Officer (CFO) I perform many of the same responsibilities as a traditional CFO but do so on a remote part-time basis. 
I work with multiple clients and adapt the services to meet the specific needs of each organization. This option is a more cost-effective solution for companies that need CFO-level expertise without the expense of a full-time, in-house CFO.

Virtual CFO

Hawk Professional Services

I founded the company. I serve the small business sector working closely alongside the Business owner.

As a Virtual Chief Financial Officer (CFO) I perform many of the same responsibilities as a traditional CFO but do so on a remote part-time basis.  

I work with multiple clients and adapt the services to meet the specific needs of each organization. This option is a more cost-effective solution for companies that need CFO-level expertise without the expense of a full-time, in-house CFO.

Tigers Limited

Reporting to the Managing Director, this is a high impact role with a broad remit including a Financial, Commercial and Operational scope.

Commercial Finance & Business Performance Analysis
•	Drive the analysis, decision support and insights of all dashboard reporting comprising Financial Management & Profitability performance (including P&L, balance sheet, cashflow and Board packs.
•	Proactively work with divisional General Management to support initiatives and recommendations to improve efficiency, profitability and overall business unit operating performance.
•	Lead the preparation and analysis of key business metrics, including margins, analysis, expenditure vs budget and presenting this to the corporate executive team.
•	Providing strategic input into business planning and contributing to the development and implementation of company policies
•	Evaluating long-term expenditure projects and long-range financial plans and forecasts

Financial Strategy & Leadership
Partner with the Managing Director and the Business Unit’s broader leadership team to lead the Group’s financial strategy, including:
•	Lead the preparation of both financial and management reporting, including quarterly and annual budgets
•	Prepare regular Cashflow management forecasts and consolidated 12 month rolling forecasts, including preparation of 3-way cashflow modelling.
•	Lead the finance team and ensure the financial, management reporting, and annual audited financial statement process is managed effectively.

People Leadership
•	Leading, mentoring and developing the capabilities of the team, ensuring that the team is motivated, collaborative and aligned.
•	Lead regular Management and team meetings with staff, empowering and supporting leaders to make decisions in the best interest of the company.

Financial Director AU

Hesper Engineering

Reporting to the Divisional Executive, managing the Finance Team consisting of Accounts, AP, AR as well as collaborating with the Shared service centre.

Duties Included:
•	Preparation of monthly management accounts, presented in the monthly reporting pack.
•	Analysing and interpreting monthly results and variance analysis
•	Cash flow reporting and cash management
•	Ensure general ledger accounts and month end closing process (including Balance Sheet reconciliations) within the stipulated deadlines.
•	Manage wages processing and AR/AP functions
•	Maintain external relationships, namely with consultants, auditors, key customers and suppliers
•	Preparation and presentation of Board Packs
•	Ownership of contract management processes, including reviewing draft contracts.
•	Identify and implement systems, policies, processes, and controls for the Finance function which will improve financial monitoring, accountability, and growth across the business

ORIGIN PROFESSIONAL SERVICES LIMITED

Providing CFO services to multiple small businesses.

A part-time CFO’s role is broad in nature, but typically included the following:

•	Assist in formulating the company’s future direction through providing input on the company’s business plan, financial and tax strategies, budgeting, and forecasting
•	Develop performance measures that support the company’s strategic direction
•	Maintain in-depth relations with all members of the management team
•	Manage the accounting, human resources, investor relations, legal, tax, and treasury departments
•	Manage any third parties to which accounting or finance functions have been outsourced
•	Oversee employee benefit plans, with particular emphasis on maximizing a cost-effective benefits package
•	Supervise acquisition due diligence and negotiate acquisitions
•	Understand and mitigate key elements of the company’s risk profile
•	Monitor all open legal issues involving the company, and legal issues affecting the industry; ensure that the company complies with all legal and regulatory requirements
•	Report financial results to the board of directors; report risk issues to the investors
•	Monitor cash balances and cash forecasts; arrange for debt and equity financing; invest funds

Grupo Nueva Pescanova

Reporting to the MD I was responsible for the performance of the Logistics SBU

Brief description of duties
•	Overseeing daily operations of the business unit IE productivity, pricing, margins 
•	Creating and implementing growth strategies.
•	Setting key performance goals.
•	Hiring key personnel and overseeing training programs.
•	Evaluating and deciding upon investments in equipment, infrastructure, and people.
•	Reporting key results to senior executives.
•	Reviewing financial statements, sales or other performance data to measure productivity.
•	Identifying areas needing cost reduction or process improvement.
•	Directing sales, marketing, or customer service activities.

Commercial Manager: Logistics

This position reported to the Group Financial Director and was tasked with applying accounting expertise to support the organizations performance management agenda 

Brief Description of Duties

•	Manage and co-ordinate a range of complex financial management activities aligned to business needs including: budgeting, planning, modelling, forecasting, financial analysis, reporting and performance monitoring in accordance with organisational policies, procedures and strategic priorities. 
•	Prepare budgets and forecasts for the organisation and its subsidiaries.
•	Preparing consolidated board reports
•	Oversee some month end processes

Management Accountant

I am a South African who has lived in Australia since 2019. I am a CIMA CGMA and CPA with 14 Years experience in business partnering and other senior finance and management roles.

The accounting profession in Australia is dying. University Enrolments are down 35% year on year. The SME sector is already battling to get access to quality, affordable and reliable finance and IT talent. This problem will only get worse over the next few years.

I am passionate about bringing virtual C Suite services to SMEs.
I am passionate about offering affordable, quality Finance and Accounting services and solutions to SME’s.
That’s why I am proud to work for a firm that strives to be the leader in this space.

Founder

Hawk Professional Services Business Advisory and Consulting 
We help our clients achieve their desired future state whilst also ensuring the best possible outcome for all stakeholders concerned

Our clients include:
Companies in distress
Companies looking to grow and diversify
Company Investors, Shareholders and Directors

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Matthew Thompson

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