Date issued: Monday 24 January
Vivian Poloni FCPA is a contract financial accountant in a global media company. Ms Poloni talks to CPA Update about her current role, important lessons she has learnt throughout her career and the challenges she has faced.
CPA Update: Where do you currently work and what is your role?
Vivian Poloni (VP): I am currently contracting at Chorion Ltd, assisting the financial controller.
Chorion is a global media company that owns and manages family entertainment brands, such as Mr Men, Noddy, Beatrix Potter and Paddington Bear. They also manage literary estates, one of which is Agatha Christie.
I am responsible for month end, cash flow, preparing group management accounts, finance committee reports, and the supervision of the accounts payable function.
CPA Update: How did you obtain this role?
VP: I found this role through an agency. Most of my contracts have come through agencies, but occasionally I found work through networking as well.
Before Chorion, I contracted at the following organisations:
- John Lewis Partnership
- Royal Caribbean
- Global Strategies Group
My last permanent role was senior financial accountant for MYOB Australia in Melbourne. I was responsible for managing the payroll and accounts payable functions, as well as the accounting team.
Prior to this, I spent six years in public practice, and three years in banking at ANZ.
CPA Update: What is the best aspect of your role?
VP: My current role has a lot of variety, from managing cash flow, preparing consolidation journals, analysing overheads, compiling board packs, preparing reports to checking supplier payment runs.
I like the variety that contracting gives me. I have been fortunate to have worked for some interesting clients in different industries.
Contracting has also given me the flexibility to travel for extended periods in between contracts.
CPA Update: What are the biggest challenges you face?
VP: Adapting quickly to different clients: their personalities, industries, accounting systems and working environment. I usually don’t have the luxury of formal training and induction, and every client has different information technology systems and internal controls.
Not knowing when, where or how long the next contract will be can sometimes make planning ahead a little difficult.
CPA Update: What are the three most important lessons you have learnt during your career?
VP:
1. the importance of effective communication with colleagues and clients
2. consistently providing quality services; reputation is very important
3. keep calm and keep smiling in difficult situations
CPA Update: Are you new to Europe? Which other countries have you worked in?
Where would you like to go next?
VP: I have lived in London for almost six years. I have worked in Finland and the United Arab Emirates as part of the contracting roles I have had. I would like to go back to my hometown Melbourne next.