My name is Deb Mason and Deb Mason Bookkeeping is my small business. My business philosophy is centred on the principle of “being the best that you can be”.
With this focus, I empower and encourage individuals (business owners) to make incremental positive changes in their lives and their businesses.
Many of us put off introducing change or making improvements to ourselves and our lives because the scope of the change we want just seems massive. But even massive change can be broken down into tiny more manageable steps.
The ability to see how to break up the big picture into action steps is one of my particular gifts and talents.
Although I can work with you on any development, improvement, or change projects with my clients, my focus is on five main areas, being:
- financial management,
- business processes,
- business improvement,
- strategy development, and
- helping small business owners to achieve their business and personal goals.
So if you want to make big changes in your business but are not sure where to start, you need to talk to me!
About My Experience and Qualifications
I hold several postgraduate qualifications in Commerce, Workplace Learning, and Business Management (B.Com (Hons) M.Ed CPA LCA – just in case you were wondering). Recently, I also have completed a graduate entry degree in Psychology.
I was a CPA (certified practising accountant for those who don’t like acronyms) for several decades. Throughout my career, I have managed to gain experience in nearly all aspects of business management, strategic management, and management accounting. I have held positions as diverse as:
- the Accounting Officer for a medium-sized family company (electrical contracting),
- the Cost Accountant for a non-profit organization that desperately needed cost information about its products and services,
- a Research Associate on a University-sponsored international benchmarking study of the Automotive Components Manufacturing Industry,
- the Business Manager for a medium-sized organization providing a range of ICT services, and
- the Finance Manager for a large government organization with an annual budget of approximately $230 million
I have even run a small business or two!
Read on for more information on my qualifications and work experience over the last twenty years or so.
Professional Qualifications
2021-2022
Bachelor of Psychological Studies (Graduate Entry)
Flinders University of South Australia
2000 – 2003
Master of Education by Research
University of South Australia
“The Learning Factory in Australia: Lean or Mean?”
1998
Honors Degree of Bachelor of Commerce
Flinders University of South Australia
Activity Based Costing: Appropriateness and Application in the Australian Public Sector?
1994 – 1997
CPA Programme
CPA Australia
1989 – 1993
Ordinary Degree of Bachelor of Commerce
Flinders University of South Australia
Major in Accounting
Minor in Business Policy and Strategic Management
Professional Development Activities
Aug 2002 – Jan 2003
Certificate 4 Life Coaching Life Coaching Academy of Australia
Oct 2002
Manager as Coach LCA Pty Ltd & Shirlaws Pty Ltd
Professional Associations
2002 – 2015
Member, CPA Australia
1994 – 1999
Associate Member, CPA Australia
Professional Work Experience
June 2023 – Current
Tax Consultant
H & R Block
Apr 2015 – 2021
Senior Business Analyst
Strategic Support Unit | Implementation Science
Department of Health & Wellbeing
June 2012 – Apr 2015
Corporate Finance & Reporting Manager
Country Health
Department of Health & Wellbeing
Dec 2010 – Nov 2012
Management Accountant/Assistant Regional Manager
St John Ambulance WA Inc
June 2006 – Oct 2008
Finance Manager
Building Management
Department of Transport Energy & Infrastructure
June 2006 – Current
Finance Manager
Building Management
Department of Transport Energy & Infrastructure
April 2005 – June 2006
Cost Accountant
Minda Incorporated
June 2004 – April 2005
Senior Financial Analyst
Information Services
Department of Administrative and Information Services
June 2003 – October 2003
Contract Accountant
Corporate Information
Transport SA
Oct 2002 – May 2003
Project Manager, Costing & Pricing (ASO7)
Fisheries, Food and Agriculture
Primary Industries and Resources SA
March 2000 – Feb 2003
APAI Research Assistant
Centre for Education, Equity and Work
University of South Australia
