Auditor | Accountant |Xero & QBO Bookkeeping |Strategist

With over two decades of experience in auditing and accounting across diverse industries, I have uncovered numerous fraud cases, including a significant P2.8M single individual case, ensuring accountability for over seven offenders. I've witnessed businesses falter due to seemingly minor issues and understand that higher sales don't always equate to profits, just as lower sales don't necessarily indicate losses. Implementing effective business stewardship strategies is essential for sustainable success.

Working in an auditing firm for over two years significantly sharpened my ability to analyze various business operations, identify weaknesses, and develop strategies to effectively mitigate risks. I managed clients' books, implemented efficient accounting systems, and trained officers in charge to ensure seamless handling and maintenance of these systems.

Negotiation skills have been a pivotal aspect of my journey as a fraud auditor. Throughout the discovery of various fraud cases, I often encountered affected clients and customers who were understandably distressed upon learning of the incidents. My ability to negotiate effectively was crucial in calming them and gaining their cooperation to illuminate each case. In 2014, I joined a financing company plagued by systemic fraud, which led to its near collapse and two major waves of retrenchments. As one of the few remaining employees, I led negotiations involving payments to retrenched employees, suppliers, and regulatory obligations and penalties. Through strategic negotiation and resource management, I successfully reduced the company's overwhelming obligations to a controllable level, gradually resolving the financial crisis while managing limited funds to stabilize the situation.

To strengthen my Xero skills, I enrolled in a bookkeeping mastery course in 2021, earning certification upon completion. Although this certification has since lapsed due to a career focus on management and negotiations—and the infrequent use of Xero in the corporate arena—I recently completed a refresher bookkeeping training course using Xero in December 2024, preparing for my certification renewal and reaffirming my proficiency. Additionally, I secured a bookkeeping cleanup deal for an Australian business, which was pre-terminated after nearly a month due to an ATO audit, as the cleanup efforts overlapped with the ongoing negotiations with the ATO.

Before becoming a QBO Certified Pro Advisor, I managed QuickBooks with auditor-level access for over four years, gaining comprehensive insight into all accounts, generating reports for analysis, and performing reconciliations. To deepen my expertise in bookkeeping and accounting, I completed a mastery training course for QBO and Xero, earning certifications in 2021. Although these certifications have since lapsed due to a career shift towards management and negotiations, I recently completed refresher bookkeeping training courses using QBO and Xero in December 2024, preparing for my certification renewal and reaffirming my proficiency.

My bookkeeping skills were built on a solid foundation, starting during my second year in college as a student assistant in a university cooperative. There, I was trained to manage loan, savings, and share capital ledgers, along with updating interest accounts. Over the years, these initial skills were honed through roles as an accountant in various industries and further refined while working in an auditing firm, where I handled bookkeeping engagements for clients. To stay current with industry trends, I earned certifications in Bookkeeping Mastery, Xero, and QBO in 2021, along with a National Certification in Bookkeeping (NC III). Although my Xero and QBO certifications have not been renewed, I recently completed two comprehensive bookkeeping training courses using Xero and QBO in December 2024, preparing for certification renewal and ensuring my expertise remains sharp and relevant.

In 2012, I took on a virtual assistance gig, handling data entry and various personal assistance tasks online. Following my father's passing in 2013, I stepped away from the corporate world for a year and ventured into the online space full-time, taking on short-term virtual assistance roles for different clients. This endeavor lasted a year before I returned to the corporate sector. Now, as I make my second foray into the online world, I have prepared myself by enrolling in and completing a Virtual Assistant training course in December 2024.

At the start of my career, I gained valuable experience in Accounts Receivable management. My responsibilities included reconciling subsidiary accounts, identifying and resolving trading discrepancies by cross-referencing source documents, and making follow-ups with clients to ensure timely payments. I also monitored and analyzed the aging of receivables, maintaining accurate financial records and supporting the overall financial health of the business. During my tenure at a financing company, where I led negotiations and recovery efforts, I managed and oversaw the collection department. I established strategies to maximize the collection of receivables, which played a critical role in generating funds necessary for payable negotiations. This experience further sharpened my skills in strategic planning, financial management, and effective communication, ensuring optimal cash flow and the successful resolution of outstanding obligations.

Account reconciliations have been a crucial aspect of my journey toward becoming an effective fraud auditor. This skill extends beyond bank reconciliations to include various accounts that significantly impact financial statements. My ability to thoroughly understand the nature of each account, track how related documents flow through business operations, and validate the integrity of each transaction has been essential. This expertise complements my core skills in auditing and accounting, enabling me to identify discrepancies and ensure the accuracy of financial records, thereby reinforcing my role as a diligent and detail-oriented financial professional.

Understanding and effectively managing Payables has been a crucial skill that greatly supported me during my experience of rescuing a financing company from financial distress. Analyzing each payable in detail and strategically prioritizing payments with limited resources was both challenging and immensely rewarding. This process required meticulous assessment and decision-making to ensure the company’s obligations were met in the most efficient manner possible. This skill, combined with my expertise in other areas such as receivables management and auditing, functions as part of a larger eco-system that operates within the business world. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of financial elements and the importance of a holistic approach to maintaining and improving a company’s financial stability.

Recognizing the significance of email marketing in today's economic landscape, I see it as a vital component of my advocacy for "Holistic Business Stewardship." With advancements in technology, strategically implemented email marketing can significantly enhance business stability. This understanding motivated me to complete an 8-Week Course in Email Marketing, which provided me with valuable insights into the online marketing and business world. While I haven't yet gained hands-on experience in this area, I am confident in my comprehensive understanding and knowledge, ready to apply these strategies to support business growth and stability.

I'm fortunate to have a cousin who started a web development business in Australia, which provided me with a unique side gig analyzing his business. This opportunity also allowed me to delve deeply into the world of SEO. Through this experience, I completed various SEO-related courses via the company's LinkedIn Learning subscription, in addition to several SEO courses I purchased and completed on Udemy. I became fascinated with SEO, recognizing its crucial role in business success, much like auditing skills. This has fueled my passion for mastering SEO as a vital tool for driving growth and visibility in today's competitive digital landscape.

Aligned with my dream of promoting "holistic business stewardship" and supporting entrepreneur-driven individuals, I pursued and completed a video editing training course using Adobe Premiere Pro. I aim to further develop this skill to create impactful videos that raise awareness about my advocacy and provide valuable insights to businesses facing challenges. While my hands-on experience is currently limited to creating content for my YouTube channel, which I haven't been able to dedicate significant time to, I am deeply passionate about refining my video editing abilities to amplify my message and help more businesses thrive.