Irene Mafara

Background

About Irene Mafara

Chartered Accountant and Senior Finance Leader with over 15 years’ experience overseeing financial reporting, statutory compliance, balance sheet governance, and finance operations across complex, multi-entity organisations spanning education, higher education, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, commodities, and not-for-profit environments. Proven leader in monthly and annual reporting, consolidation, external audit management, internal controls, and transactional finance oversight (AP/AR/banking/fixed assets). Highly experienced in IFRS, Australian Accounting Standards, regulatory reporting and acquittal reporting. Strong capability in enterprise finance systems and ERP transitions, including system controls, chart of accounts design, reporting structures, and driving user adoption in complex financial environments. Experienced people leader with a strong track record of leading, coaching, and performance‑managing finance teams, building capability, accountability, and high‑performing finance functions. A values-driven, collaborative leader who partners effectively with executives, auditors, regulators, and operational leaders to deliver accurate, timely financial information, strong governance outcomes, and finance functions that support mission-led service delivery. I am committed to gender equality, ethical leadership, and transformative impact, and I thrive on opportunities that allow me to blend business acumen with purpose-driven initiatives.Alongside my corporate roles, I am the Founder of Financial Legacy Foundation and a UN Women MBA Scholar, committed to advancing women in leadership and improving financial literacy across communities.Core strengths: Financial Governance & Control Multi‑Entity Consolidation & Statutory Reporting IFRS / AASB Technical Accounting Finance Transformation & Systems Implementation Executive & Board-Level Stakeholder Engagement Team Leadership & Capability Building