Jonathan Maharaj FCPA

Aurora Financials

I'm a CPA in public practice, Virtual CFO, qualified statutory auditor, and business consultant. 

I assist senior leaders and Boards with governance, strategy, audits, and financial reporting.

Some of my key contributions include:

✦ Growing a client's business from 0 to 13,770 clients in 11 months, with no debt, no marketing, a 70% net profit margin and strong cash flow

✦ Bestowed with CPA Australia's Murray Wyatt Award for demonstrating innovation, a progressive mindset, and supporting the public practice community.

✦ Bestowed with the New Zealand Charities Services Tier 3 Reporting Award by Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand for demonstrating excellence in financial reporting for a client

✦ Directed a client's financial functions and saved them over 50% in finance team costs.

Founder and CEO

CPA Australia

The Divisional Councils’ key role is member engagement and local support for CPA Australia and in helping to maintain the integrity of the designation. 

Divisional Councils are an important link between the members and CPA Australia’s Board and the organisation more broadly. Depending on the size and complexity of the Division, regional committee branches, speciality interest and sector committees or networks may support the work of Divisional Councils in member engagement and advocacy activities.

Individual Divisional Councillors act as advocates for CPA Australia and for members of the Division in their regions and spheres of influence.

New Zealand Division Councillor

Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE)

The ACFE Advisory Council is an assembly of 2,000 global fraud-fighting experts dedicated to the improvement and growth of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE). 

Members may be asked to participate in quarterly member surveys, speak at ACFE events, write or review course materials, provide industry case studies and assist in professional development activities. Members have the unique opportunity to help the ACFE chart the course for the future of fraud prevention and detection.

Member, ACFE Advisory Council

New Zealand Pacific Union Conference of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church

Tier 1 registered charity with subsidiaries such as Sanitarium, Life Health Foods, Adventist Development and Relief Agency, and others.

✦ Member of the Executive Committee, Audit and Risk Committee, Compensation Review Committee, and Health Endowment Fund Investment Committee.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church began in the 1800s and now spans the globe, with members in 215 countries and territories. The Church’s headquarters are located in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA.

The New Zealand Pacific Union Conference (NZPUC) is one of 132 regional administrative headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. NZPUC cares for the Church in New Zealand, New Caledonia, Wallis & Futuna, the Cook Islands, French Polynesia, and Pitcairn Island. This territory covers an area of about 35 million square kilometres and a population of 4.95 million people (2011 statistics).

As of 2024, NZPUC includes 22,617 members worshipping in 207 congregations (159 churches and 48 companies). The Union also supports 20 schools with more than 2,000 students, alongside one aged care facility, continuing the Church’s mission of education, care, and service.

The main role of the NZPUC is to provide leadership, mentoring and resources for the following entities:
✦ Adventist Development and Relief Agency in New Zealand (ADRA NZ), North New Zealand Conference, South New Zealand Conference, French Polynesia Mission, Cook Islands SDA Mission, New Caledonia Mission, Adventist Schools.

Executive Committee Member / Chairman (Audit and Risk Committee)

Kiwibank

I served as a Senior Leader and active member of Internal Audit Leadership Team, while spearheading team of five, including senior managers and managers. I directed and monitored the leadership and development of Kiwigroup's internal audit capabilities.

Some of my key contributions included:

✦ Headed assurance aspects of Kiwibank's transformation programme. 

✦ Managed work programme delivery and project management for business and technology audits.

Executive Manager Internal Audit / Head of Audit and Assurance

NZX Limited

In this role, I led the smooth functioning of the Issuer Compliance team actively participating in regulation of NZX's securities and derivatives markets. Furthermore, I administered diverse workloads, while offering leadership direction within broader team environment. 

I hired, trained, and led the management of six professionals, including lawyers, accountants, and compliance staff. Along with acting as Subject Matter Expert for accounting and financial matters in relation to NZX-listed issuers, I investigated, identified, and mitigated potential rule breaches in compliance with regulatory standards.

Some of my key contributions included:

✦ Attained best practice market conduct and governance by engaging with NZX-listed issuers.

✦ Successfully monitored high-profile investigations, such as market manipulation, compliance projects, and NZX’s enforcement functions. 

✦ Reduced operational loss by gathering/evaluating information on listed issuer population and delivering insights to influence behaviours. 

✦ Prepared and supervised cases referred to NZ Markets Disciplinary Tribunal (NZMDT). 

✦ Participated during review of NZX policy, rules, and processes related to compliance and enforcement. 

✦ Fostered key NZX relationships with FMA, RBNX, DIA, ASX, takeovers panel, NZMDT, and other NZX teams.

Manager, Market Conduct

New Zealand Qualified Statutory Auditor with broad industry experience in:

Financial Services – Capital Markets, Insurance, Banking, Finance, Investing, Stock Broking, Derivatives – Automotive – Education – Engineering – Healthcare – Information Technology (including Insurtech, Fintech, and SaaS) – Legal and HR – Manufacturing – Mining – Not for Profit – Oil and Gas – Public Sector – Real Estate – Retail – Tourism

Audit Practitioner, PwC and other firms

Optimist. CFO & Strategic Advisor. Follow for Financial Clarity. Ranked #1 in NZ and #59 Globally for Financial Markets on LinkedIn (Favikon).

Thank you for visiting my profile. I help leaders make better financial decisions with clarity.

For over 20 years, I've worked across auditing, consulting, and strategic finance - helping founders, executives, listed companies, and global brands to cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters. 

My work blends deep financial insight with practical strategy, helping leadership teams navigate complexity and move forward with confidence.

I founded Aurora Financials to offer something different: high-trust, remote-first advisory built on real expertise, supporting clients from early-stage ventures to listed enterprises.

My focus is simple: support leadership teams with insight, integrity, and the tools to make confident, long-term decisions.

Areas of focus:
• Strategic finance and decision-making for leadership
• Remote CFO advisory and business strategy clarity
• Turnarounds, restructures, and growth pivots
• Executive briefings and Board-level insights
• International Speaker

I also publish a free weekly newsletter and host a free financial masterclass (in production) - designed to give back and help more people make smarter financial decisions.

Based in New Zealand and serving clients globally.

Remote-first. Confidential by design. In-person engagements by invitation only.

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I work with leaders who know that the right insight, at the right time, changes everything.

If your next move requires financial clarity, strategy, and trust - I’m here when you're ready.

🌐 jonathanmaharaj.com | aurorafinancials.com

Disclaimer: The content I share is general information only and not financial advice. Please seek professional advice for your specific needs.

The ACFE Advisory Council is an assembly of 2,000 fraud-fighting experts dedicated to the improvement and growth of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE). 

Members may be asked to participate in quarterly member surveys, speak at ACFE events, write or review course materials, provide industry case studies and assist in professional development activities. 

Members have the unique opportunity to help the ACFE chart the course for the future of fraud prevention and detection.

You’re not alone here

You don’t see it on LinkedIn.
But many top performers feel alone.

Their calendar is full.
Their tank is empty.

They hit the target.
They miss family moments.

Success is a team sport.
And leaders, your job is not to save everyone.
Your job is to stand beside them.

Make it safe to speak up.
People will bring you their problems early.
You will fix more and fire-fight less.

Here's a 3-minute check-in for your team:
1. What do you need from me?
2. What’s one roadblock?
3. What’s one win?

Save this for a tough day.
Share it with someone who needs it.
Tag a leader who does this well.

How do you support your teams through challenging times?

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➕ Follow Jonathan Maharaj FCPA for finance‑leadership clarity.
📰 Get deeper breakdowns in Financial Freedom, my free newsletter: https://lnkd.in/gYHdNYzj
📆 Ready to work together? Book your Clarity Session: https://lnkd.in/gyiqCWV2

Optimist. CFO & Strategic Advisor. Follow for Financial Clarity. NZ’s #1 LinkedIn Creator and #6 on LinkedIn Globally in Financial Markets (Favikon).

We are the lucky generation. 
So let’s be grateful.

Our great-grandparents buried their dreams in hard times.
Many good people ran out of time too soon.
Medicine was a challenge.
Childbirth was risky.

Look at us now. We live longer.
A video call bridges the distance.
Cures exist that once sounded like science fiction.
Food, light, and clean water arrive with a switch.
Our children have opportunities our ancestors could not imagine.

And yet our insecurities are still there because of envy.

Our desires are mimetic. We imitate the desires of other people, rather than having entirely original desires that come from within. It's the habit of measuring your worth against someone else’s status or achievements.

And then we forget to be grateful for the blessings we have.

This coming week, try a different lens. Be grateful for what you have, not what you crave.

Trade comparison for curiosity by seeking new ways to improve yourself. Lifelong learning is the best investment.

“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

For me, gratitude does not deny pain or the challenges we've been through. It gives me strength to walk through it and opens my eyes to help others.

If you woke up today, you are blessed.
If you love someone, you are already rich.
If you can read this, you have tools others don't have.

This week, be present and notice the everyday miracles.

Don't follow the crowd, just follow your intuition. You have more than enough to create opportunities for yourself and others.

What is one thing you’re grateful for today?

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🔄 Share this insight with a decision‑maker.
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Video credit - social media.

Motivation burns fast.
Discipline builds teams that last.

Most people start with lots of energy, but when things get hard, the excitement drops. That's when discipline steps in.

I learnt this at Aurora Financials. For eight years, I worked nights and weekends building the business while having a full-time job. 

Motivation was up, down, gone at time. 
But discipline and the purpose of helping others kept me going.

Discipline shows up in quiet ways:
➞ Finishing what we start
➞ Learning together through tough days
➞ Supporting each other when plans fall apart

For me, culture isn’t built on hype but with effort and trust.

Motivation sparks progress, and discipline carries us when no one is cheering.

How does your team stay steady when the excitement fades?

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🔄 Share this insight with a decision‑maker.
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Culture is how we treat people when no one is looking.
It's seen in the quiet, ordinary moments.

In the email you rewrite to provide feedback.
The credit you give away when no one noticed your part.
The meeting you end early so a colleague makes daycare pickup.

It is the way you talk about the person who is not in the room.
Do you defend them or perform for the crowd?

That choice is your culture.

When no one is looking is:
- Saying please to the intern and thank you to the cleaner.
- Protecting focus time instead of adding meetings.
- Sharing praise in public and coaching in private.
- Letting people go home on time without guilt.
- Keeping a promise after the deadline moved.

Healthy cultures are consistent and can be felt.

If you manage people:
➞ Be consistent.
➞ Be transparent.
➞ Make speaking up safe.
➞ Make boundaries normal.
➞ Protect the dignity of your team.

Today is Friday.
Please leave someone better than you found them.
That is the culture anyone can build.

How do you create a positive culture in your team?

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🔄 Share this insight with a decision‑maker.
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Quote that says 'Culture is how we treat people when no one is looking.'

1% a day changes everything.

A year is 365 opportunities.
Each day, a small choice wins or loses a point.

See the math in the image:

+ 3% better daily → 48,482.72 by year end.
+ 2% better daily → 1,377.41.
+ 1% better daily → 37.78.
Stay the same → 1.
1% worse daily → 0.03.
2% worse daily → 0.001.

That is life, not just math.

Compounding doesn't care whether it lifts or erodes you.
You need to take the initiative.

How to get better daily:
• Rest more.
• Read more.
• Learn more.
• Exercise more.
• Network more.
• Support a client or peer.
• Protect your mental health.
• Fix one step in your process.
• Save 1% more of every invoice.

Money compounds.
Trust compounds.
Skills compound.

So does procrastination and excuses.

What could your life look like in a year, if you improved each day?

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🔄 Share this insight with a decision‑maker.
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1% has a big impact on your life. Quote from Jonathan Maharaj.

Cash flow is oxygen. 
This is how to improve cashflow now.

Most teams overcomplicate cash.
Profit looks fine, then payroll gets tight.

Here’s the playbook I use with clients:

1. Invoice same day
➞ Invoice at 4:30 pm daily before leaving.

2. Collect on time
➞ Auto-reminders at day 3, 7, 14, 21, 28. 
➞ Pay-now links on all invoices.

3. Take deposits and track milestones
➞ 40% up front.
➞ 40% mid-way.
➞ 20% on delivery.

4. Trim cash drainers
➞ Cancel unused tools. 
➞ Pause low-ROI ads for 30 days and review.

5. Move slow stock / WIP
➞ Set min-max reorder levels. 
➞ Increase turnover, not stock on shelves.

6. Negotiate supplier terms
➞ Match payables to receivables.
➞ Ask for Net-45 on core inputs.

7. Package for prepaid cash
➞ Three clear tiers.
➞ Annual prepayments get a credit.

You don’t need a miracle.
You just need discipline for 14 days.

If you want this built for you, book a Clarity Session with me.
See link below.

What cash flow tip would you add to my list?

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🔄 Share this insight with a decision‑maker.
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7 ways to fix cash flow (before year-end)

Empathy is strength.

Empathy at work is not weakness.
Weakness is fear dressed up as control.
And teams quit leaders who make them feel small.

Control can ship a product once.
Manipulation can get you short term results.
But empathy truly builds a company for years.

People do their best work when they feel safe to speak.
Harvard’s research on psychological safety shows this clearly. 

When people believe they will not be punished for candour, learning and performance rise (Edmondson, 1999, Harvard Business School).

Creativity follows the same rule.

When leaders notice progress and remove friction, ideas multiply and results improve (Amabile & Kramer, 2011, Harvard Business School).

So empathy is not being “soft.”

Here's how to build a worldclass culture at your workplace:

1) Make safety visible
➞ Start meetings with lessons learnt.
➞ This normalises truth over image.
➞ No blame, just solutions.

2) Practice the 70/20/10 rule in 1:1s
➞ Listen 70% of the time.
➞ Ask 20% open questions.
➞ Give 10% guidance.

3) Adopt a “no-surprises” policy
➞ Gauge how the team is feeling.
➞ Speed shows empathy in action.
➞ Remove roadblocks.

4) Reward candour, not politics
➞ Publicly thank the person who challenged a plan.
➞ If dissent is rare, it could mean fear is common.
➞ Track how often dissent shows up early.

5) Clarify roles
➞ Be clear on who makes decisions.
➞ Invite input from those closest to the work.
➞ Clarity improves plans.

6) Close the loop
➞ When someone gives feedback, tell them what changed.
➞ Progress is proof that speaking up matters.
➞ No procrastination on action items.

7) Model expectations
➞ Be firm on standards.
➞ Be kind in delivery.
➞ People mirror your actions, not what you say.

When there is more truth at work, there are fewer surprises and better results.

Have you ever been punished for telling the truth at work?

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Article references in the comments.

Quote that says 'Empathy at work is not weakness. Weakness is fear disguised as control and manipulation'. 

Cash flow beats profit.
Every time.

Most teams celebrate profit, then miss payroll.
Profit is a story on paper but cash is the money that makes an impact.

Vendors want cash. Staff want cash.
The tax office wants cash.

I have seen "profitable" businesses fail because a timing gap led to late receipts, which triggered bank covenants, then game over.

Please treat working capital like the product.
Design it, measure it and improve it weekly.

Here are 7 ways to turnaround your cashflow this week:

1. Invoice the same day
2. Cut terms to Net 14
3. Start 3/7/14 day auto-follow ups
4. Take deposits or progress billing
5. Stop supply for chronic late payers
6. Pay vendors weekly by priority
7. Review cash every Monday

What else would you do to improve cashflow?

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🔄 Share this insight with a decision‑maker.
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Cashflow beats profit

Here's how to cut costs
And keep growing.

Most teams cut the wrong things.

Our goal is different: remove waste and protect momentum.

Do this for 14 days and cut 8% to 12% of OpEx.

1. Remove unused tools and subscriptions
➞ Anything idle 30+ days goes.

2. Renegotiate core suppliers
➞ Ask for Net-45 and volume breaks.

3. Cut low-ROI marketing
➞ Pause the bottom 20% of ads.

4. Guard scope
➞ Every scope change needs an approved change order.

5. Fix inventory turns
➞ Clear SKUs older than 120 days.

6. Automate repeats
➞ Invoice reminders and status updates.

7. Right-size meetings and approvals
➞ Routine spends approved inside 24 hours.

Think bonsai, not chainsaw.
Small cuts leading to stronger growth.

If you are looking to optimise your costs, book a clarity session with me. Link below.

What expense would you reduce in a business?

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🔄 Share this insight with a decision‑maker.
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7 ways to cut costs (without hurting growth)

Businesses lose money without knowing it.
Here's how to stop revenue leaks in 14 days.

Most revenue leaks hide in routine work.
Fix these seven and keep more of what you earn:

1. Bill work already done:
➞ Audit the last 90 days.
➞ Send the catch-up invoices this week.

2. Limit discounts:
➞ Set a hard cap at 10%.
➞ Swap discounts for small early-pay credits.

3. Stop scope creep:
➞ Use a one-page change order.
➞ Price and approve extras before work starts.

4. Rescue failed and late payments:
➞ Turn on smart retries and automatic emails.
➞ Add late fees after day 14 in your terms.

5. Apply renewal price uplifts:
➞ Use CPI or annual reviews you already agreed.
➞ Send notices 60 days before term ends.

6. Move customers to the right tier:
➞ Three clear tiers with visible value gaps.
➞ Offer an annual prepay credit to nudge up.

7. Charge for speed and priority care:
➞ Rush work and VIP support are real value.
➞ Make them paid add-ons, not freebies.

You don't need more leads to make money, just fewer revenue leaks.

Need help implementing this, book a Clarity Session with me. Link below.

What would you add to my list to reduce revenue leaks?

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🔄 Share this insight with a decision‑maker.
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7 ways to stop revenue leaks (in 14 days)

Stop raising your prices.
And fix your sales flow to lift revenue.

Revenue grows when buying gets easy.
Remove friction and prove value early.

Here are 7 ways to increase revenue (without increasing your prices):

1) Tighten your ICP
➞ Sell to the few who buy fast.

2) Sharpen the offer
➞ Name the problem and show results.

3) Lift conversion, not price
➞ Same traffic with lower cost per sale.

4) Increase order value
➞ Tiers and bundles raise the average value.

5) Reactivate past buyers
➞ Warm trust beats cold outreach.

6) Speed wins
➞ Reply in 15 minutes to show intent.

7) Partnerships and referrals
➞ Leverage trust to grow faster.

I built a carousel that walks through each move.
It has a 7-day checklist at the end.

Save it for your next team review.
Share it with a founder who dislikes price hikes.

What would you add to my list based on your experience?

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🔄 Share this insight with a decision‑maker.
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7 ways to increase revenue (without increasing prices)

Many companies say, "people matter."
Few actually run their business that way.

You hear it in meetings.
You feel it in difficult conversations.

People first is a sustainable strategy.

It shows up in clear feedback.
In who earns promotion under pressure.
In what clients say when you are absent.

Micromanagement drains initiative.
Fear delays decisions and adds risk.
Attrition costs more than a raise.

Results happen when there is clarity.
Clarity grows where trust is high.
And trust grows when leaders keep promises.

People first firms perform better.
They also endure longer.

Storms come and markets turn.
But teams with trust refocus and rebuild.
That is how endurance looks inside.

If you want a durable company, start here:
➞ How do we speak to each other?
➞ How do we decide under pressure?
➞ How do we treat the least powerful?

People first is a strategy that works.
And it pays in profit and reputation.

How do you hire for values, and then train for skill?

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Quote from Jonathan Maharaj that says: "People first companies don't just perform better, they endure longer."

Many people overcomplicate cash flow.
There are just 3 things you must focus on:

➞ Is more cash coming in than going out?
➞ Is your total cash balance rising or falling?
➞ When, exactly, does cash arrive and leave?

In my experience, cash flow is the number one reason businesses fail. A close second is not having the right strategy. 

Remember to review cashflow weekly and make a list of inflows and outflows. Include taxes, payroll, loans, inventory, and those tiny subscriptions. Plan for unexpected events because they can happen.

Open your banking app each Friday and log the balance. 
Watch trends and take action to delay payments to collect receipts.

If you want help, I made a one-page cheat sheet that shows how to read a cash flow statement and put it to work each week.

What cash flow tips would you add to my list?

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🔄 Share this insight with a decision‑maker.
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How to read a statement of cashflows for beginners | Jonathan Maharaj FCPA

Tom Brady’s edge wasn’t his talent.
It was his anticipation.

He won before the snap.
By knowing what the defense feared.
By knowing how they would react under stress.
That is a skill you can learn.

Most people obsess over their strengths.
Brady obsessed over the opponent’s next move.
He studied their tactics, not just highlights.
He prepared for unpredictability.

In work and leadership, the game is similar.
Your competitors signal their plays every day.
Pricing changes, hiring trends, product tweaks.
Each is a tell, if you are paying attention.

The goal is simple.
Shorten the time between signal and response.

Make your plan faster than their reaction.
Build a sustainable competitive advantage.
Win clients before the week ends.

Try this weekly discipline.
Fifteen minutes on Friday afternoon with zero distractions.
Ask four questions and write honest answers.
Repeat until it becomes automatic.

1. What do my competitors fear right now?
2. Where will they overreact if pressured this week?
3. What single move forces them into a bad choice?
4. What data tells me their likely next step?
5. How can I win against them?

Then design small, precise plays.
Ship the feature that removes their advantage.
Change pricing that makes their offer awkward.
Deliver results faster so competitors look slow.

Anticipation turns average teams into disciplined winners.

This is not about insider knowledge.
It is about due diligence and research done early.

Brady trusted his analysis.
You can do the same at work.
Study the patterns and script your strategy.

If you want to build a sustainable competitive advantage for your business, book a Clarity Session with me. Link below.

What habit helps you to stay one step ahead of your colleagues and competitors?

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🔄 Share this insight with a decision‑maker.
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Video credit - social media.

Don’t let regulators dictate your strategy.
Five rule changes may reshape your business this year.

Here's what CFOs and Boards need to know:

1. United States | Audit Quality Control

• PCAOB’s QC 1000 starts 15 December 2026.
• Inspections found weak firm-wide quality systems.
• Smaller firms struggled to build compliant systems. 

How to prepare:
⇀ Appoint one executive owner for QC 1000.
⇀ Centralise all QC evidence in one repository.
⇀ Run a gap analysis and fund fixes this quarter.

2. United States | SEC climate reporting

• Listed companies had climate-risk disclosures.
• Rule is paused in court while the SEC reviews. 
• Lawsuits challenged the scope and cost.

How to prepare:
⇀ Draft ISSB-aligned disclosures if needed.
⇀ Keep collecting investor-grade metrics.
⇀ Pilot limited assurance on metrics to test controls.

3. United Kingdom | T+1 settlement

• Goes live 11 October 2027, in line with Europe.
• Aims to cut settlement risk.
• Funding and FX windows will tighten.

How to prepare:
⇀ Monitor counterparty settlement times.
⇀ Ensure vendors can meet upgrade timelines.
⇀ Aim for same-day matching with prompt settlement.

4. Australia | Mandatory climate reporting

• Boards must sign off on climate numbers.
• Applies to in-scope entities from 1 January 2025.
• Australia aligned with ISSB for consistency.

How to prepare:
⇀ Agree assurance scope and timing with your auditor.
⇀ Rebuild Board packs so narratives match numbers.
⇀ Run two simple scenarios and review workpapers.

5. New Zealand | Mortgage LVR easing

• Effective 1 December 2025 for owner-occupiers.
• LVR eased but DTI limits remain.
• Housing related credit is likely to increase.

How to prepare:
⇀ Stress test rates and funding spreads.
⇀ Update housing and retail demand forecasts.
⇀ Set clear credit and liquidity limits and monitor.

Teams that start now will spend less and move faster.

What regulatory changes are likely to impact your business?

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Regulatory trends and analysis | Jonathan Maharaj FCPA

People once hated it. 
Now millions adore it.

When the plan was shared, anger rose.
Too bold, they said.
Too strange.
Iron where stone should be.

Newspapers called it a mistake.
Painters sneered.
Writers and intellectuals said it would ruin Paris.
In 1887, they signed a public protest.

But the work continued.
Bolt by bolt.
Beam by beam.
Men climbed into winter wind and summer glare.
No applause, just progress.

Then the elevators lifted.
The city opened like a secret.
Roofs turned to patterns.
The Seine curved like a ribbon.
Protestors looked and went quiet.

Years moved on.
Signals ran across its frame.
Flags cut the sky.
Lovers met under its gaze.
Postcards carried its outline around the earth.

The Eiffel tower stayed the same.
But we changed.

What was once an insult, now became an icon.
A "reputational risk" became the face of a city.

This is how great work looks at first.
Awkward, unclear and with many haters.
Out of place until it defines the place.

So, ignore the noise and keep building your dream.
Lay the next bolt.
Write the next line.
Ship the next draft.
Let time do what time does.

First impressions can deceive.
Today’s odd shape can be tomorrow’s landmark.

Keep working towards your own masterpiece.

Which side would you have been on in 1887 - dreamer or protestor?

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🔄 Share this insight with a decision‑maker.
📰 Get deeper breakdowns in Financial Freedom, my free newsletter: https://lnkd.in/gYHdNYzj
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Most leaders fear crises, but crises unlock growth.
My 5-step framework shows how.

I’ve spent over 20 years guiding founders through tough times - turnarounds, pivots, and moments when the future felt uncertain. I've learnt that chaos is not the end. It’s often the start of something better, if you have a system you trust.

A client story stands out. They faced economic challenges that threatened their business. By using my 5-step framework, they went from survival mode to a turnaround in 6 to 12 months. No magic, just discipline, hard work and a repeatable system.

Here’s the framework that made the difference:

1. Assessment
⇀ Take a clear look at what’s really happening. 
⇀ What are the facts? Where are the issues? 
⇀ Be honest about strengths and blind spots.

2. Alignment
⇀ Make sure everyone is on the same page. 
⇀ Get buy-in from your team and partners. 
⇀ Set the vision and share it often.

3. Action
⇀ Move quickly on what matters most. 
⇀ Build a plan and break it into steps. 
⇀ Start with the hardest task first.

4. Acceleration
⇀ Once you see progress, increase the pace. 
⇀ Remove slow parts, double down on what works.
⇀ Keep the team focused.

5. Assurance
⇀ Check results, and adjust your plan. 
⇀ Celebrate wins and learn from setbacks. 
⇀ Support your team.

Reflect on these steps for your next business pivot:
➞ What is your real starting point?
➞ Who needs to be aligned for success?
➞ What action can you take today?
➞ Where can you speed up?
➞ How will you get assurance?

Growth often hides behind a crisis and the right framework could turn your fear into clarity and momentum.

I know economic times are tough for many business owners, but please keep going. Your next breakthrough could be closer than you think.

Optimist. CFO & Strategic Advisor. Follow for Financial Clarity. NZ’s #1 LinkedIn Creator and #7 on LinkedIn Globally in Financial Markets (Favikon).

Most leaders think growth comes from strategy.
It doesn’t. It comes from investing in people.

At Aurora Financials, I’ve learnt that building a strong team means giving people the right tools, support, and space to grow. Profit margins matter, but they aren’t the reason we get up every morning. When team members feel valued and can see the direct impact of their work on our clients, they show up with purpose, and real ownership.

I remember the moment I shifted focus from chasing numbers to investing in people. Instead of trying to control every outcome, I started giving my team more responsibility and mentoring them through challenges. 

I made a decision to be 90% strategic and 10% operational, and stepped back.

I saw something powerful happen. My team stepped up, took charge, and drove operational solutions I hadn’t even imagined. Clients noticed the difference too. Our results improved and retention soared.

This change didn’t happen overnight. It took trust and patience. Sometimes, things got messy. But the payoff was clear: when people feel safe and supported, they deliver extraordinary results. Our best work comes from a place of trust, not pressure. 

Ownership and mentorship are the engine for lasting value, and leaders should get out of the way so their teams can innovate.

In my 20+ years of experience, I've seen that financial success follows when you build a culture of growth and well-being. The numbers take care of themselves when your team is thriving. 

Strategy is important, but it only works when people are empowered to put it into action. At Aurora Financials, we focus on clear development paths, honest feedback, and real opportunities for everyone to level up.

Investing in people is the right and smart thing to do. If you want your business to grow and last, start with your team. Give them the support, trust, and ownership they need and step back. The value you create will compound for years to come.

How do you invest in your team’s growth and well-being?

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🔄 Share this insight with a decision‑maker.
📰 Get deeper breakdowns in Financial Freedom, my free newsletter: https://lnkd.in/gYHdNYzj
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Trust your intuition.
And keep moving towards your goals.

I started posting on LinkedIn when I worked in a corporate role. Had awkward conversations with managers about the 'social media policy' despite only trying to share insights and newsworthy content.

Most days in the beginning were quiet with a few likes and kind comments now and then.

What kept me going wasn't the attention, but a feeling that I had an opportunity (on a global scale) to genuinely help others with what I know.

Then my thoughts and words travelled, and I made connections who valued my insights and advice. Small steps that reminded me that I was on the right track.

This week I checked Favikon and my closest content lookalikes were:
➞ Simon Sinek 80%
➞ Tony Robbins 70%
➞ Mel Robbins 65%
➞ Gary Vaynerchuk 60%

I don't have the large audiences they do, but I'm heading that way and it's only a matter of time.

Thought leadership, more public speaking, more global opportunities to uplift others with optimism and my story.

Favikon is a useful benchmark, but the compass was already inside.

I've always strived to use my authentic voice and write from the heart. That is how my content resonates with people despite the noise of AI.

People still want to feel connected to something bigger and be optimistic about goals they can achieve.

If you’re still finding your voice here, try this:
• Spend time in the comments and ask honest questions.
• Connect with others and learn more about their work.
• Publish a few paragraphs, even if it’s imperfect.
• Benchmark and keep improving.
• Share a lesson from work.

Building a brand is a long-term investment, so don't get discouraged if short-term results aren't what you expect.

LinkedIn is free global reach.

It opens rooms you don’t know exist until the door swings open. Your next client, partner, employer, or investor might already be watching.

So dream big and let your light shine.
A city that is set on a hill, cannot be hidden.

What motivates you to post on LinkedIn, and how has this platform helped you?

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➕ Follow Jonathan Maharaj FCPA for finance‑leadership clarity.
🔄 Share this insight with a decision‑maker.
📰 Get deeper breakdowns in Financial Freedom, my free newsletter: https://lnkd.in/gYHdNYzj
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I became an auditor to discover financial truth.

An audit is a mirror to a company's reality.
I learned this early in my career.

Transactions are not just debits and credits.
They are about people and their choices.

Audits surface what culture tries to hide.
Late reconciliations, rushed reviews, brittle controls.
Behind each symptom is a habit.

If we treat an audit like a fight, we lose the lesson.
If we treat it like an opportunity, the company grows.

Here are my 7 tips to help you prepare for an audit:

1. Close cadence:
➞ Every task has an owner, a deadline, and reviewer.
➞ Have a clear plan so the audit starts on time.

2. Reconciliations:
➞ Bank, ledgers, intercompany, inventory, payroll. 
➞ Verify, explain, clear or escalate.

3. Evidence on first click:
➞ Policies, contracts, approvals, and calculations.
➞ Saved with transactions for easy access.

4. Cutoff discipline:
➞ Shipments, revenue, accruals, and provisions
➞ Completed promptly with clear timestamps.

5. Segregation of duties:
➞ Nobody does everything.
➞ Share tasks to lower collusion or fraud risks.

6. Open door policy:
➞ Staff can flag pressure or errors without fear.
➞ Encourage proactive disclosure.

7. Review within 72 hours:
➞ After close, capture errors and fix root causes.
➞ Prompt improvements save you time.

When leaders do this, their audit costs reduce and trust increases.

Run this ritual for your next audit and let me know how it goes.

How do you keep better financial records?

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➕ Follow Jonathan Maharaj FCPA for finance‑leadership clarity.
🔄 Share this insight with a decision‑maker.
📰 Get deeper breakdowns in Financial Freedom, my free newsletter: https://lnkd.in/gYHdNYzj
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Jonathan Maharaj FCPA's Linkedin Analytics