Accounting For Good is an amazing set of professionals who are variously qualified as CA, CPA and Certified Xero practitioners. We are proud of their achievements, of the way they support each other and of their care for the not for profit sector.
Carol joined AFG in 2017 as an account manager and came from accountant roles in the commercial and business services space. She is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.
Carol is proud of the rigour, dedication and thoughtfulness of service the AFG team provides every client. She values working with Co CEO Paula Chegwidden to ensure AFG is a leader in this space and that not-for-profit organisations have a provider they can confidently engage when they need accounting advice.
“I love numbers and a well put together financial report. At AFG I’ve realised that what matters most is HOW we get the final figures; do our clients feel understood and cared for, and do the reports tell their story?”
Carol moved to the Co CEO role in December 2023 along with Paula and is excited to be working with someone who has dedicated their career to the not for profit sector.
Contact Carol at ceo@accountingforgood.com.au or on 02 9370 6200 if you or your organisation is seeking financial and accounting guidance.
Before joining Accounting For Good (AFG) in 2017 as an account manager, Paula held several leadership roles in community service organisations, predominantly in Western Sydney, both as a manager and board member. She holds a Master’s in Community Management from UTS, and her qualifications and extensive experience are invaluable in her role as Co CEO at AFG.
“I know the challenges that managers and board members face in attracting income and managing costs while trying to achieve the mission of the organisation. I enjoy providing support and contributing in a small way to an organisation’s mission.”
Paula values the diversity and commitment of the AFG team and appreciates that the team works hard to achieve the outcomes the clients need. “It’s a special thing to work with a group of people who are supportive and respectful.”
Paula moved into the Co CEO role in December 2023 with Carol Tran, bringing complementary skills and experience. Together, they will build on the foundation built by Kirsten Forrester.
“The leadership opportunity at AFG is exciting and challenging and I am interested in demonstrating a Co CEO model – it’s a model that I think could benefit many organisations.”
Contact Paula at ceo@accountingforgood.com.au or on 02 9370 6200 if you or your organisation is seeking financial and accounting guidance.
Jane is a qualified Chartered Accountant and was a Public Practice Accountant before joining Accounting For Good.
She likes to maintain good client relationships, solve problems and deliver solid accounting expertise.
Jane aims to help management teams she works with gain a better understanding of their financial performance.
“I feel proud when I have gained a client’s trust and have added value to their organisation.”
Jane likes working with such a supportive team and enjoys the flexible work arrangements at AFG.
Kathy is a qualified Chartered Accountant with CFO experience in both the not for profit sector and public practice. She is an experienced and trusted pair of hands – taking care of the technical details so that change makers feel supported to focus on doing the work that drives them. Her focus is on managing risks, stewarding clients through big decisions and streamlining processes to ensure reliable and useful information for clients. She has made an art form of using relatable analogies to demystify financial concepts.
“I’m just so energised by the exciting things that people are doing out in the world and doing what I can to support them through that journey and empower them with their finances. When a client has that ‘Ah-hah!’ moment and all the pieces suddenly fall into place is so satisfying.”
Sarah has over 15 years’ experience in the not for profit sector. She has a wealth of experience and extensive finance knowledge from her previous roles.
Before joining Accounting For Good, her positions varied from accountant through to financial controller… so she has an exceptional range of skills. She has the professional background to offer clients great support, particularly in delivering improvement and simplification strategies.
Sarah believes good financial information is important to assist management make sound financial decisions to achieve business goals and growth. She loves working in the NFP sector. “The people are compassionate and dedicated to supporting the community. Not for profit organisations are always focused on making the world a better place!”
Raghu joins the AFG team from March 2023 as an Account Manager, looking after a diverse portfolio of NFP clients.
Raghu Venkateswaran is a highly accomplished CPA-qualified accountant who has made a significant impact in the not-for-profit sector through his tireless advocacy for financial intelligence. He is known for his ability to make things happen and his passion for empowering not-for-profit organisations to make strategic, informed financial decisions.
With extensive experience in finance roles spanning both large corporations and emerging startups, Raghu has developed a wealth of knowledge and expertise in areas such as budgeting/forecasting, financial management, and CFO roles and responsibilities.
However, it was his decision to pursue a Masters in Not for Profit Management that truly ignited his passion for the sector.
For the past eight years, Raghu has worked for a national Indigenous government agency, where he has gained invaluable experience working with not-for-profits and social enterprises.
This experience included working with organisations in both western Sydney and remote northern territory, giving him a unique perspective on the challenges faced by not-for-profits operating in diverse locations.
One of Raghu’s greatest strengths is his ability to bridge the gap between finance and not-for-profit management.
He firmly believes that having a reliable and insightful financial expert can make all the difference in not-for-profit organisations.
”I want to help clients understand the story the numbers are telling and provide them with the financial intelligence they need to make informed decisions.”
Raghu’s passion for the not-for-profit sector is deeply rooted in his desire to make a meaningful contribution to society.
With his unique blend of on-the-ground experience and finance expertise, Raghu is a tireless champion of financial intelligence in the not-for-profit sector, and a respected figure in the industry and we’re thrilled to have him join the AFG team.
Ann’s experience includes a long and successful finance career within the corporate sector. For 18 years, she has held various finance and project positions within the Commonwealth Bank, most recently as a Senior Manager of Portfolio Finance.
Ann is a CA with a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance. Her experience and insights are highly valued at Accounting For Good. As Account Manager, she works closely with our clients to help them navigate their financial challenges by clarifying the numbers.
Working with Accounting For Good aligns with Ann’s values of making a positive difference in the community, and her work volunteering with Vinnie’s “friendship program” supporting vulnerable people with mental health issues is a testament to her commitment to positive change and outcomes.
Ann values the collaborative culture at Accounting For Good, where each team member is passionate and dedicated to providing the best accounting and consultancy services to the unique client base.
Ann is an avid traveller and adventurer, trekking through Nepal, Asia and West Africa. She loves preparing fresh food with healthy ingredients and spending time in her garden. As an animal lover, she is right at home on a bushwalk with her dog.
Xianxian Shen (Cliff) specialises in the technical aspects of accounting and payroll. He is a Commerce graduate of ANU majoring in accounting and finance and is a qualified CPA and BAS agent.
Cliff believes that providing accurate and valuable financial information helps NFP organisations better achieve their goals. With AFG as their accounting and consultancy partner, they can meet many of the challenges facing the NFP sector. Cliff sees the capability of NFPs to adapt to emerging technologies quickly, as well as the constant regulatory/compliance changes and sourcing funding in the current economic climate as the sector’s biggest challenges.
Cliff encourages NFP organisations to take advantage of the skills and professionalism at Accounting For Good. The ability of the collective to present clients with solutions to complex problems that add value combined with the accurate financial information they need, when they need it, knowing they are confident with the numbers, and helping clients streamline processes that improve the financial system efficiency are invaluable assets to the sector.
When not helping AFG clients, Cliff is an avid snooker follower and a passionate supporter of Real Madrid Football Club.
Kirsten Campbell joins Accounting For Good as a seasoned financial strategist with over 30 years of experience in the non-profit sector. With a diverse background spanning CFO and Corporate Services roles across various NFPs, including health, indigenous education, community services, youth services, and mental health, Kirsten brings a wealth of expertise to the team and our clients.
Starting her career as a corporate business analyst, Kirsten transitioned to NFP service provision as a financial counsellor, driven by a passion for making a tangible difference. She then founded and was the Director of Afloat Financial Services, which has been instrumental in assisting NFPs and SMEs in navigating complex financial landscapes.
Qualified as a CPA with tertiary graduate qualifications in Medical Science & Accounting and post-graduate qualifications in Social Impact, Kirsten is uniquely positioned to blend financial acumen with a deep understanding of social impact.
“I value the opportunity to collaborate with CEOs, boards, and managers, translating financial jargon into a clear narrative aligned with their organisational strategies and impact goals. I receive great satisfaction in transforming strategies into budgets and witnessing tangible improvements in impact.” Says Kristen
Looking ahead, Kirsten sees the challenge for the NFP industry lying in demonstrating impact and developing sustainable funding models that transcend short-termism. However, she views these challenges as opportunities for growth and innovation.
Outside of work, Kirsten finds joy in rebuilding a picturesque garden on their south coast farm, savouring the beauty of Sydney Harbour, indulging in heritage car rallying, and enjoying a good film.
Here’s a fun fact about Kirsten: Her family nickname is Mouse, inspired by Mouse in the Muddle-Headed Wombat.
Yin is a highly experienced accounting professional with just under 20 years of experience in the financial industry as a financial and management accountant. Yin specialises in the management and training of high-performance financial teams.
Yin has a Bachelor of Accounting degree and is a CPA (Certified Practicing Accountant). Yin was inspired to join Accounting For Good to work with an accounting and consultancy firm that offers the opportunity to apply financial skills towards supporting meaningful organisations making a positive impact in the community.
He sees and understands the challenges for the NFP sector in securing consistent funding. Many NFPs rely on grants, donations, and government support, which can fluctuate due to economic conditions and donor priorities.
Yin is passionate about NFPs maximising their financial positions and having robust structures and compliance that help them to continue their valuable work.
He considers Accounting For Good a diverse, inclusive workplace with friendly and supportive colleagues. He values learning and development opportunities, fostering personal and professional growth.
Outside of work, Yin is an avid basketball player who loves music and exploring the fascinating world of astrology. Before becoming an accountant, Yin toyed with being a school teacher, believing there were no bad students, only those who needed to meet the right teacher who approached them with love and compassion.
With over two decades of experience in the public sector and five years in the Not-for-Profit (NFP) industry, Sandra Tomasi brings a wealth of expertise to her role as Account Manager at Accounting For Good. With a background in both financial and performance audits, Sandra has developed a deep understanding of the operational, financial, and strategic challenges faced by NFP organisations, making her an invaluable asset to the team.
Before joining Accounting For Good, Sandra served as Internal Audit Manager for a large human services provider. There, she focused on risk management, controls, and providing business improvement advice across family, child, aged, and disability care services. Prior to that, she spent over 20 years in the NSW public sector, working across industries such as health, education, transport, and central government. Her extensive audit experience, covering both financial and operational performance, enables her to navigate the complexities of NFP accounting with confidence.
Sandra is a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) and holds a Bachelor of Commerce with Distinction, majoring in Accountancy and Management Studies. Her passion for using her skills to make a positive impact on society is what drew her to Accounting For Good. She sees her role as an opportunity to apply her extensive knowledge in accounting, analytics, and business to support organisations dedicated to creating lasting social change.
Sandra recognises that the NFP sector faces ongoing challenges in terms of resourcing and rising societal expectations, yet she remains optimistic due to the dedication and commitment of individuals working in this space. She values the collaborative environment at Accounting For Good, where colleagues freely share their knowledge and expertise.
Outside of work, Sandra enjoys traveling to new destinations, engaging in meaningful conversations, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
02 9370 6200