Our people
A carefully curated mix of finance professionals.
There are a range of diverse and complementary skill sets across our team – from financial management and CPA-qualified accounting professionals, to strategic financial advisors. This means we offer comprehensive coverage across all sub-sectors of the industry.
We get the nuances of the non-profit sector.
With many years’ experience serving non-profit and social enterprise clients, our team has a deep appreciation of the social, cultural and political aspects unique to the sector.
Our expertise is bang up to date.
Purpose practitioners are current in their knowledge of sector issues impacting funding, accounting standards, available technologies and compliance. We stay at the forefront of industry developments and policy /legislative reforms – so we can help our clients be agile in an ever-changing environment.
Alex Cowell
Alex is a non-profit CFO / Financial Controller who links an organisation’s culture, programs and strategies with its finances. He is an approachable leader and strategic thinker. He’s a practitioner that intimately understands the non-profit financial management context.
Prior to establishing Purpose in 2014, Alex was the Manager of an accounting services firm that worked solely with non-profit organisations, and a long-term contracted CFO/Financial Controller for 15 for-purpose organisations. Alex has been in the NFP accounting and social enterprise development industry for >10 years and advises organisations ranging from small to large across diverse sectors including: community services; education; Aboriginal services; disability; health; the arts and housing.
CPA, Bachelor of Business, Cert IV Training and Assessment and Financial Services
Alex Cowell
Alex is a non-profit CFO / Financial Controller who links an organisation’s culture, programs and strategies with its finances. He is an approachable leader and strategic thinker. He’s a practitioner that intimately understands the non-profit financial management context.
Prior to establishing Purpose in 2014, Alex was the Manager of an accounting services firm that worked solely with non-profit organisations, and a long-term contracted CFO/Financial Controller for 15 for-purpose organisations. Alex has been in the NFP accounting and social enterprise development industry for >10 years and advises organisations ranging from small to large across diverse sectors including: community services; education; Aboriginal services; disability; health; the arts and housing.
CPA, Bachelor of Business, Cert IV Training and Assessment and Financial Services
Sony Bonang
Sony is a senior Financial Accountant who provides organisations with accurate and reliable accounts. He has been in accounting roles for >13 years, the last 9 years of which have been in the non-profit sector.
Sony is the go-to for payroll compliance and the application of accounting programs such as Xero and MYOB. Sony is CPA qualified, and this informs his practice, including the application of Australian Accounting Standards. Sony also has a very strong management accounting skill set, with advanced financial analysis and modelling skills.
Prior to founding Purpose (with Alex), Sony was the Accountant for the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research. Before that Sony was in practice, managing the financial accounting for 20 non-profits.
CPA, Bachelor of Accounting
Sony Bonang
Sony is a senior Financial Accountant who provides organisations with accurate and reliable accounts. He has been in accounting roles for >13 years, the last 9 years of which have been in the non-profit sector.
Sony is the go-to for payroll compliance and the application of accounting programs such as Xero and MYOB. Sony is CPA qualified, and this informs his practice, including the application of Australian Accounting Standards. Sony also has a very strong management accounting skill set, with advanced financial analysis and modelling skills.
Prior to founding Purpose (with Alex), Sony was the Accountant for the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research. Before that Sony was in practice, managing the financial accounting for 20 non-profits.
CPA, Bachelor of Accounting
Anna Collet
Anna is a third sector financial expert with almost two decades of experience in accounting and financial management, with much of this spent in consulting and financial leadership roles in the NFP sector in both Australia and the UK.
Anna is passionate about transforming the finance functions of charities she works with to enable organisational efficiency, growth and impact. She has worked across a large range of organisations in both the corporate and NFP sectors, from an ASX listed company and global NGOs to community centres.
Anna’s strength is distilling and conveying meaning from the numbers, in order to enable effective decision making and specialises in the design of financial systems to achieve quality management information.
CPA, CGMA, Bachelor of Accounting, Masters of International Studies
Anna Collet
Anna is a third sector financial expert with almost two decades of experience in accounting and financial management, with much of this spent in consulting and financial leadership roles in the NFP sector in both Australia and the UK.
Anna is passionate about transforming the finance functions of charities she works with to enable organisational efficiency, growth and impact. She has worked across a large range of organisations in both the corporate and NFP sectors, from an ASX listed company and global NGOs to community centres.
Anna’s strength is distilling and conveying meaning from the numbers, in order to enable effective decision making and specialises in the design of financial systems to achieve quality management information.
CPA, CGMA, Bachelor of Accounting, Masters of International Studies
Nina Trofimova
Nina is an accomplished CFO / Head of Finance, with over 15 years’ experience in the NFP sector. She has a deep understanding of industry-specific issues, including legislation, funding and reforms. She specialises in driving business process efficiencies, leading financial strategy, and implementing new systems to meet business objectives.
Nina is a for-purpose person, deeply committed to making a difference. Her expertise has been recognised with the status of Fellow of CPA Australia (FCPA), and she is also CA qualified. Prior to joining Purpose, Nina managed Finance Functions for large non-profit organisations within the arts, culture and environmental sectors.
Nina held the position of Chair to CPA Australia’s Not For Profit Committee for over five years, acting in an advisory capacity to the CPA NSW Divisional Council. She was also a Committee member of the CPA Australia Discussion Group ‘Women In Business’.
FCPA, CA, Bachelor of Accounting (Hons); Master of Commerce in Accounting with Commercial Law; MICDA
Nina Trofimova
Nina is an accomplished CFO / Head of Finance, with over 15 years’ experience in the NFP sector. She has a deep understanding of industry-specific issues, including legislation, funding and reforms. She specialises in driving business process efficiencies, leading financial strategy, and implementing new systems to meet business objectives.
Nina is a for-purpose person, deeply committed to making a difference. Her expertise has been recognised with the status of Fellow of CPA Australia (FCPA), and she is also CA qualified. Prior to joining Purpose, Nina managed Finance Functions for large non-profit organisations within the arts, culture and environmental sectors.
Nina held the position of Chair to CPA Australia’s Not For Profit Committee for over five years, acting in an advisory capacity to the CPA NSW Divisional Council. She was also a Committee member of the CPA Australia Discussion Group ‘Women In Business’.
FCPA, CA, Bachelor of Accounting (Hons); Master of Commerce in Accounting with Commercial Law; MICDA
Ning Gong
Ning is a CPA-qualified senior practitioner, with over 15 years’ experience in accounting for the non-profit sector. She has a deep understanding of the complexities of the sector; its unique legislative and compliance requirements; as well as NFP funding arrangements.
Ning works closely with senior management and executive stakeholders, to advise and guide financial decision-making at a strategic level.
Prior to joining Purpose, Ning’s experience was in public accounting, working with non-profit clients within the childcare, education, technology and community sectors. Her many years in the sector have given Ning high-level skills and expertise in budgeting, forecasting, and management reporting functions. She is also a Xero Certified Advisor and registered BAS agent.
Ning Gong
Ning is a CPA-qualified senior practitioner, with over 15 years’ experience in accounting for the non-profit sector. She has a deep understanding of the complexities of the sector; its unique legislative and compliance requirements; as well as NFP funding arrangements.
Ning works closely with senior management and executive stakeholders, to advise and guide financial decision-making at a strategic level.
Prior to joining Purpose, Ning’s experience was in public accounting, working with non-profit clients within the childcare, education, technology and community sectors. Her many years in the sector have given Ning high-level skills and expertise in budgeting, forecasting, and management reporting functions. She is also a Xero Certified Advisor and registered BAS agent.
Ricardo Medeiros
Ricardo has been with Purpose since early 2017. With a background in financial processing and analysis, he leads projects to implement new finance systems across a range of non-profit organisations. He also delivers systems training across large management groups.
Ricardo is the Outsourced Financial Controller to a portfolio of organisations across a range of industry subsectors, from homelessness, health and the arts. He is driven by service quality, with a key focus on innovation and the use of new technologies to increase efficiencies in financial management
Ricardo has a background in financial processing and analysis, and going further back, he worked in a non-profit consulting company in Brazil, providing support to micro-businesses. He loves to keep fit, and has completed several long haul bicycle trips, some across continents raising money for various charities.
Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting), Bachelor of Entrepreneurship, Cert IV Project Management
Ricardo Medeiros
Ricardo has been with Purpose since early 2017. With a background in financial processing and analysis, he leads projects to implement new finance systems across a range of non-profit organisations. He also delivers systems training across large management groups.
Ricardo is the Outsourced Financial Controller to a portfolio of organisations across a range of industry subsectors, from homelessness, health and the arts. He is driven by service quality, with a key focus on innovation and the use of new technologies to increase efficiencies in financial management
Ricardo has a background in financial processing and analysis, and going further back, he worked in a non-profit consulting company in Brazil, providing support to micro-businesses. He loves to keep fit, and has completed several long haul bicycle trips, some across continents raising money for various charities.
Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting), Bachelor of Entrepreneurship, Cert IV Project Management
Makiko Hayamizu
Maki is a values-driven senior accountant who has established her career on a diverse base of experience.
Starting out in Japan, Maki worked with large, listed companies in a fast-paced accounting practice environment.
Driven by a desire to reduce the wealth gap and increase social equality, Maki made the move to the start-up space in Australia, supporting young commercial organisations coming out of UNSW’s innovation hub. In coming to Purpose, she has continued along that values pathway to now work with organisation’s dedicated to social outcomes.
Maki has lectured in accounting at the University of Technology Sydney. She is a qualified Chartered Accountant and a Xero advisor.
CA; M. Professional Acc; Micro-Master (Data Economics & Development Policy); Xero advisor
Makiko Hayamizu
Maki is a values-driven senior accountant who has established her career on a diverse base of experience.
Starting out in Japan, Maki worked with large, listed companies in a fast-paced accounting practice environment.
Driven by a desire to reduce the wealth gap and increase social equality, Maki made the move to the start-up space in Australia, supporting young commercial organisations coming out of UNSW’s innovation hub. In coming to Purpose, she has continued along that values pathway to now work with organisation’s dedicated to social outcomes.
Maki has lectured in accounting at the University of Technology Sydney. She is also a qualified Chartered Accountant and a Xero advisor.
CA; M. Professional Acc; Micro-Master (Data Economics & Development Policy); Xero advisor
Arslan Shahid
Arslan is a Chartered Accountant, with significant experience in public practice, non-profit, Government and private sectors. His focus is delivering insightful financial advisory, and strategies to increase performance and sustainability. He has many years’ experience in budgeting, forecasting, and management reporting.
Arslan has partnered with all levels of the organisation, from executive stakeholders to Finance Teams, to support financial management and compliance. He also has significant experience leading large finance systems transformations.
Arslan has worked with large non-profits in the community housing, and migrant community services, sub-sectors in Australia. He also has international experience with a UN funded project.
CIMA; ACCA; BSc (Hons; 1st Class), Applied Accounting
Arslan Shahid
Arslan is a Chartered Accountant, with significant experience in public practice, non-profit, Government and private sectors. His focus is delivering insightful financial advisory, and strategies to increase performance and sustainability. He has many years’ experience in budgeting, forecasting, and management reporting.
Arslan has partnered with all levels of the organisation, from executive stakeholders to Finance Teams, to support financial management and compliance. He also has significant experience leading large finance systems transformations.
Arslan has worked with large non-profits in the community housing, and migrant community services, sub-sectors in Australia. He also has international experience with a UN funded project.
CIMA; ACCA; BSc (Hons; 1st Class), Applied Accounting
Mai Nguyen
Mai is a CPA qualified Accountant, with a broad range of expertise in financial and management accounting, including budgeting, forecasting, analysis, and compliance.
She has over 5 years’ experience in financial and management accounting roles with non-profits, working across the fundraising, aged care and social services sectors, with experience across SME’s and large organisations.
Mai has strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and she is focussed on strengthening financial practices and improving efficiencies for her clients.
CPA; Dip Acc; M. Business (Int’l Marketing); M. Science (Financial Mgt); Xero advisor
Mai Nguyen
Mai is a CPA qualified Accountant, with a broad range of expertise in financial and management accounting, including budgeting, forecasting, analysis, and compliance.
She has over 5 years’ experience in financial and management accounting roles with non-profits, working across the fundraising, aged care and social services sectors, with experience across SME’s and large organisations.
Mai has strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and she is focussed on strengthening financial practices and improving efficiencies for her clients.
CPA; Dip Acc; M. Business (Int’l Marketing); M. Science (Financial Mgt); Xero advisor
Lily Fok
Lily is a CPA-qualified Accountant with a work history in tax, auditing and compliance. She has more than 10 years’ experience across financial and management accounting functions, including budgeting, forecasting, and analysis.
In addition to these functions, Lily supports the Purpose team with senior bookkeeping and complex payroll transactions.
She has worked with a diverse set of clients in the past, both in practice environments and private sector organisations. Having spent the last 5 years working with non-profits, Lily has a strong focus on improving efficiencies for her clients, and helping them to move towards industry best practice approaches.
CPA, Bachelor of Accounting, Advanced Diploma of Accounting
Lily Fok
Lily is a CPA-qualified Accountant with a work history in tax, auditing and compliance. She has more than 10 years’ experience across financial and management accounting functions, including budgeting, forecasting, and analysis.
In addition to these functions, Lily supports the Purpose team with senior bookkeeping and complex payroll transactions.
She has worked with a diverse set of clients in the past, both in practice environments and private sector organisations. Having spent the last 5 years working with non-profits, Lily has a strong focus on improving efficiencies for her clients, and helping them to move towards industry best practice approaches.
CPA, Bachelor of Accounting, Advanced Diploma of Accounting
Caroline Kim
Caroline is a CPA qualified Accountant, with over 10 years’ experience supporting organisations with their management accounting, financial reporting and business advisory needs. She has spent a number of years in practice environments, and is well accustomed to servicing a diverse set of clients, across a range of sectors.
With experience in Financial Controller positions, Caroline has strong skills in financial analysis, and the communication of financial results to management teams and senior stakeholders. Her prior experience has also provided her with an excellent skillset in budgeting and forecasting.
Master of Accounting, CPA Extension; Contract & Consumer Law – Tax Agent Registration; CTA2
Caroline Kim
Caroline is a CPA qualified Accountant, with over 10 years’ experience supporting organisations with their management accounting, financial reporting and business advisory needs. She has spent a number of years in practice environments, and is well accustomed to servicing a diverse set of clients, across a range of sectors.
With experience in Financial Controller positions, Caroline has strong skills in financial analysis, and the communication of financial results to management teams and senior stakeholders. Her prior experience has also provided her with an excellent skillset in budgeting and forecasting.
Master of Accounting, CPA Extension; Contract & Consumer Law – Tax Agent Registration; CTA2
Caroline Kim
Caroline is a CPA qualified Accountant, with over 10 years’ experience supporting organisations with their management accounting, financial reporting and business advisory needs. She has spent a number of years in practice environments, and is well accustomed to servicing a diverse set of clients, across a range of sectors.
With experience in Financial Controller positions, Caroline has strong skills in financial analysis, and the communication of financial results to management teams and senior stakeholders. Her prior experience has also provided her with an excellent skillset in budgeting and forecasting.
Master of Accounting, CPA Extension; Contract & Consumer Law – Tax Agent Registration; CTA2
Caroline Kim
Caroline is a CPA qualified Accountant, with over 10 years’ experience supporting organisations with their management accounting, financial reporting and business advisory needs. She has spent a number of years in practice environments, and is well accustomed to servicing a diverse set of clients, across a range of sectors.
With experience in Financial Controller positions, Caroline has strong skills in financial analysis, and the communication of financial results to management teams and senior stakeholders. Her prior experience has also provided her with an excellent skillset in budgeting and forecasting.
Master of Accounting, CPA Extension; Contract & Consumer Law – Tax Agent Registration; CTA2
Joanna Bednarska
Joanna is a highly effective Senior Bookkeeper, with over 10 years’ experience. Her expertise spans budget preparation, financial reporting, and all facets of the bookkeeping and payroll process.
Joanna has worked across a range of industries, with a significant portion of her career in the NFP world including with community legal and international aid organisations. She has experience supporting a broad range of stakeholders, from senior executives to operational staff. Joanna is an Associate member of both the Institute of Public Accountants and CPA, as well as a BAS Agent.
With a sharp eye for detail, she is focussed on technical accuracy and compliance and is always looking for ways to streamline accounting practices for her clients. Joanna is an associate member of the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA). She is expecting to complete a Graduate Certificate of Public Accounting in mid-2024.
Bachelor of Accounting; Advanced Diploma of Accounting
Joanna Bednarska
Joanna is a highly effective Senior Bookkeeper, with over 10 years’ experience. Her expertise spans budget preparation, financial reporting, and all facets of the bookkeeping and payroll process.
Joanna has worked across a range of industries, with a significant portion of her career in the NFP world including with community legal and international aid organisations. She has experience supporting a broad range of stakeholders, from senior executives to operational staff. Joanna is an Associate member of both the Institute of Public Accountants and CPA, as well as a BAS Agent.
With a sharp eye for detail, she is focussed on technical accuracy and compliance and is always looking for ways to streamline accounting practices for her clients. Joanna is an associate member of the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA). She is expecting to complete a Graduate Certificate of Public Accounting in mid-2024.
Bachelor of Accounting; Advanced Diploma of Accounting
Irene Schuele
Irene has broad experience across a range of bookkeeping and accounting functions. Her expertise extends from bookkeeping (payroll, AP & AR) through to month-end accounting functions, as well as financial reporting for Boards and senior executives.
Irene has senior bookkeeping skills and a passion for the non-profit sector. Her prior experience includes roles in green energy and community organisations. She has also worked in finance and management within the hospitality industry, which has given her a unique focus on client service.
Alongside core bookkeeping and accounts work, Irene has implemented process improvements for organisations, including accounting systems transitions. She is proficient with Xero, as well as Dext Prepare, SAP and other accounting add-on software.
M. Professional Accounting; P.M. Political Science; U.M. (Hons) Politics & European Studies
Irene Schuele
Irene has broad experience across a range of bookkeeping and accounting functions. Her expertise extends from bookkeeping (payroll, AP & AR) through to month-end accounting functions, as well as financial reporting for Boards and senior executives.
Irene has senior bookkeeping skills and a passion for the non-profit sector. Her prior experience includes roles in green energy and community organisations. She has also worked in finance and management within the hospitality industry, which has given her a unique focus on client service.
Alongside core bookkeeping and accounts work, Irene has implemented process improvements for organisations, including accounting systems transitions. She is proficient with Xero, as well as Dext Prepare, SAP and other accounting add-on software.
M. Professional Accounting; P.M. Political Science; U.M. (Hons) Politics & European Studies
Bridget Collet
Bridget is a motivated communications professional, with a track record in delivering innovative communications and stakeholder management solutions.
With over 10 years’ experience in the public sector, she has designed and implemented large-scale communications activities to support Government transformation projects in both Australia and the UK.
Bridget has worked with a wide range of stakeholders, including representative bodies and advocacy groups, across the employment, workplace relations, and justice sectors.
Bachelor of Arts
Bridget Collet
Bridget is a motivated communications professional, with a track record in delivering innovative communications and stakeholder management solutions.
With over 10 years’ experience in the public sector, she has designed and implemented large-scale communications activities to support Government transformation projects in both Australia and the UK. Bridget has worked with a wide range of stakeholders, including representative bodies and advocacy groups, across the employment, workplace relations, and justice sectors.
Bachelor of Arts