Contact Noel
t:      +61 8 8981 5585   ext. 506
m:   +61 417 864 114
e:    nclifford@nexiaem.com.au

Noel is a Partner within the Audit and Assurance division of the firm.

Noel is an experienced audit practitioner with a variety of clients and specialises in not for profits, manufacturing entities, retail entities, large corporate groups, Aboriginal corporations, large associations, wineries, service and support entities, superannuation funds, educational institutions and local government bodies and their subsidiaries.

He has been the lead audit partner for audit engagements involving Australian Multinational large corporate groups, insurance public entities, reporting to APRA and a large service and support corporate group.

Noel as acted as the internal auditor for a large corporate group.

He has also worked on litigation engagements involving audit-related matters and been a member of various audit committees and boards for corporate and not-for-profit entities. He has over 40 years of professional accounting experience.

Formal qualifications

• Bachelor of Commerce, University of Newcastle, New South Wales
• Master of Economics, Macquarie University, New South Wales
• Registered Company Auditor, ASIC
• Approved Examiner, ORIC
• Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand
• Treasurer, Variety NT

Professional expertise

• Audit and Assurance
• Risk Management
• Corporate Governance

Audit and Assurance

As an ASIC Registered Company Auditor, Noel has extensive experience in the audit of large reporting corporations, non-reporting corporations and Not-for-Profit clients.

Noel approaches each engagement with an attitude to having a complete understanding of the organisation; its operations, business structure, systems, transaction flows and risks. From this Noel together with his team, develops an audit plan and approach which is tailored to the organisation and their risks.

Noel’s audit engagements and clients benefit from his significant experience across a number of industries, operations and systems. His technical skills and understanding of risk, corporate governance and operational requirements from sitting on boards and committees on not for profits, have been of invaluable experience and have enabled Noel to provide clients with practical solutions to problems they have faced.

Corporate governance

A high level of technical knowledge of financial statements and firm understanding of risk within organisations make Noel a valued member of any board. Noel is currently Director and Treasurer of Variety, NT. He was a Director and Treasurer of Can Do 4 Kids – Townsend House Inc and Can Do Internet Inc and The Royal South Australian Deaf Society. During his tenure as Director he chaired the Audit and Finance Committees for these boards. In addition Noel has acted as company secretary for a number of companies and has an understanding of corporate governance responsibilities.

Not-for-profit and education industry

Noel has been involved in the audit of not-for-profits, Aboriginal corporations, colleges and schools throughout his career and has an extensive client portfolio such clients which operate in South Australia, Western Australia and Northern Territory. He was appointed Chair of the Nexia Australia Specialist Education Industry Group. His expertise within this industry is of note and allows Noel’s clients within this space to work with a Partner who truly understands the challenges facing colleges and the not-for-profit industry.

Noel organises training days for his clients within the not-for-profit and education industry. In planning for these days Noel ensures that relevant technical accounting updates are provided to clients in a practical manner and appropriate speakers are engaged to discuss pertinent topical issues.

Experience

Contemporary assurance services require an understanding of and a strong technical knowledge of auditing and accounting standards and required reporting compliance framework.

It requires an ability to develop an understanding of the business operations and its financial risk, and to work to communicate with people and clients. Noel’s approach is to use his experience and expertise to ensure excellent outcomes for clients.