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Investor Presentaiton

NATALIE SCOTT, FCPA Northern Territory Auditor-General's Office Member since 2002 I am a second generation Darwinite, both my parents having been born here after their parents arrived in Darwin in the late 1930's. I was a little unsure about what career I should choose. Having completed all of my high school work experience doing Nursing, but I really enjoyed science. I was accepted into James Cook University in Townsville to study Environmental Science in 1995. At the time there was a lot of discussion about whether or not you could get a job when you graduated in this field. So, after a lot of deliberating I made the choice to stay in Darwin and started a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) degree at the then Northern Territory University (NTU). The rationale was that a business degree would always be a valuable base. After my first year of study I wanted to work for a while. Thus began a few years of working and studying, before I put study to the side after my brother was involved in an accident and subsequently passed away. I worked first for architectural firm Woodhead International, and later Nortruss Building Supplies, where my insight into how businesses operate grew. I was very lucky in the latter role to be the person that filled in when others went on leave so I got a lot more exposure to the various aspects of the business - stock control, inventory management, payroll, debt collection, manufacturing, delivery coordination, construction, banking, as well as my core daily duties in timber sales, accounts payable, and reception. February 2000 saw me return to my studies full time, but this time at Avondale College on the Central Coast, New South Wales, where I graduated with my accounting degree in December 2001. 6 months prior to graduating I was offered a job in Darwin with Deloitte in their Audit and Assurance Division. I started in February 2002 and worked with them for almost 6 years. It was a fantastic opportunity that provided me with a wealth of knowledge and experience working on a vast array of clients, industries, software, and locations. I had the opportunity of a lifetime to participate in a busy season exchange, or secondment, to the Dublin, Ireland Deloitte Office for 3 months in January 2006, that included a round the world plane ticket from my boss, Bob Hudson. I joined the Northern Territory Government in 2008 as a Finance Manager at the then Department of Planning and Infrastructure, before moving to Northern Territory Treasury as Assistant Director Financial Management where I oversaw amongst other things, the Treasurer's Directions. A secondment to Charles Darwin University to act as their Financial Accountant in 2011 then saw me transfer to the Northern Territory Auditor-General's Office where I have been since July 2012 as a Principal Auditor. I value my CPA membership. As a student at NTU I attended a seminar presented by Gavin Sell, the then NT Branch Manager, who encouraged students to sign up for benefits, including discounted printed volumes of accounting standards - a necessity for any accounting student. As a member of the CPA Passport program, an opportunity presented itself to apply for international work experience placements. I won a position with Air Vanuatu and flew to Vanuatu in January 2001 for the two week placement. It was a truly amazing experience and opportunity to see how an international airline operates, and I rotated through the various operational areas during my time with them. Most people working in a Chartered Accounting firm undertake the CA Program, but I was able to complete my CPA Program. It wasn't always easy getting through the modules with a demanding job and commitments at home, but I was very proud the day I received my certificate, and subsequently my 10 year membership pin. I joined the NT Branch Council in 2013 after a call from our local branch General Manager Debbie Hall. I saw it as a way to give something back to the profession and have been Deputy President since 2014. I have enjoyed being involved in the national Public Sector Management Group, the opportunities to be involved in planning the Accounting Congress, as well as Administrator for our local Members of the NT Branch of CPA Australia Facebook page, where we seek more member engagement. Speaking with students at career fairs and welcome to the profession events have also been great opportunities to mentor the next generation of accountants. 50 Years of CPA in the Territory is important to me as it shows that we have strong ties and roots in our local community, and that accountants aren't just about numbers, they are about having connections and networks as well. BE HEARD. BE RECOGNISED. CPA AUSTRALIA
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