Matthew Smith

Areas of Coaching:

• ASX-listed company experience in the travel and commercial property industries, primarily in Financial Reporting roles where I have honed my technical accounting skills, applying my experience and understanding of Australian Accounting Standards to complex accounting scenarios and transactions
   
• Early in my accounting career I lived in London for 3 years working for a Big 4 accounting firm, which offered amazing travel opportunities and career experience and led to a life-long ambition to keep exploring and making the most of any opportunity to travel
  
  
• After many years in the accounting profession, I took the plunge and decided to take a break from full time accounting. Initially I intended to look after myself and spend more time with my young family of 3 boys, however this break turned into starting my own business and navigating a completely new industry.

Success factors:

• Taking pride in the quality and integrity of my deliverables
• I enjoy sharing my experience and skills with others and helping them improve  
• Enjoying what I do and having satisfaction from a job well done 

Core values:

• Integrity and Respect
• Take pride in your work
• Reward yourself and others
• Look after yourself

Knowledge:

• Technical accounting experience in the UK and Australia
  
  
• Deep knowledge and understanding of the ASX-listed financial reporting landscape, including managing finance teams and completing multiple deliverables over reporting deadlines
  
  
• Understanding the challenge to get out of your comfort zone and considering alternatives to a full-time professional career

Career highlights:

• 20 years experience in the accounting profession across multiple ASX-listed companies
  
  
• Deciding to change – from full time accounting professional to full time stay at home dad which led to starting a small business
  
  
• Part of the core due diligence team for the $751m acquisition of an Australian online travel business (Wotif.com Group) by US-based competitor (Expedia)

Best advice received:

• Face your fears, because once you do, you are free.

Book recommendation:

Bravo Two Zero - Andy McNab
The Harrowing True Story of a Special Forces Patrol Behind the Lines in Iraq

Matthew Smith | LinkedIn Profile