Chief Financial Officer

Blue Badge with the Wesley Mission logo on it

The Mission's Information and Communications Technology team aims to continually improve in the provision of support services, system availability and reliability in the development of new projects.

Network support services were substantially improved over the financial year as new staff settled in with a clear focus on quality of customer service and technical professionalism. This resulted in a 45% reduction in the average time to resolve issues and a marked increase in customer satisfaction.

Major advances were made in the Mission's approach to systems development. Improved management & staff training was put in place to make best use of 'worlds best practice' development languages and processes. The results are reduced development times, increased ease of use, increase system reliability and better system access from remote Mission sites.

This year the Finance team has put additional focus on asset management, procurement, cash management and business planning.

The Mission handles a property portfolio of over $250 million and other plant and equipment of around $30 million. In the past year around $12 million was spent on building upgrades / refurbishments, motor vehicles and capital equipment. Work has been done to improve the processes involved in purchasing and managing these asset portfolios.

Procurement is an area where we believe significant benefits can be achieved. Significant areas of the Mission are being analysed to achieve more cost effective solutions in the provision of key supplies and services.

This year the Finance team has looked at the way we manage our cash both from a view to lowering costs of transactions and improving investment income from our cash resources.

Andrew Watson
Chief Financial Officer

Legal Department
Legal tasks managed by department	14,500

Number of staff: 6
Number of locations: 1

Key roles:

The Department provides legal advice to the Superintendent, Wesley Mission Board, Senior Managers and the staff of Wesley Mission.
The Department’s principal role is risk management and the protection of the Mission.
We administer all property transactions, funding agreements, estates and legacies and ensure that all of these documents are executed by the Property Trust in accordance with the Uniting Church Regulations.
The Department is the legal resource for all contracts, agreements, leases, licences, business names, trademarks, child protection, copyright, privacy, subpoenas, procedures, liaison with Government Departments, liaison with other legal practitioners and general legal advice.
The Department’s solicitors represent the Mission in legal proceedings in Courts and Tribunals.
The Department’s solicitors provide advice on current and proposed legislation, risk management and policy and procedures.
The Department provides training in legal issues within the Mission’s Training Calendar and upon request by centres.

Property Development and Maintenance
Major projects in progress	3

Information Technology
PCs supported	2,379
Help Desk calls	13,760
Strategic project initiated	5
Improvement in telecommunication facilities	20%

Number of staff: 28
Number of locations: 3

Key performance highlights and issues:

Upgrade of 400 WUE computers and 12 sites to meet new contract requirements.
Replacing all phone and data connections with Optus services resulting in decrease of over 80% in network outages and substantial cost reduction.
Assisting Community Relations in rebranding the Mission to increase public awareness & support.
Design and development of the Wesley Aged Care System to coordinate and streamline management of client administration, finances and billing.
Implemented 'best practice' project and development methodologies.

Success story for the year:

Substantial improvements in network reliability and speed of problem resolution (45% reduction in average time) resulting in a marked increase in customer satisfaction.
Effectiveness of new approach to systems development as demonstrated by remarkably smooth implementation of Wesley Aged Care System.

Goals for the next reporting year:

Working with all Industry Groups to help them better understand and utilise existing and new IT Systems.
Centralise and consolidate all data and applications for better and more efficient administration at a lower cost of ownership.
To be able to attract and retain appropriately skilled IT staff, which should also reduce the high cost of contracted IT staff.
To facilitate a review of the Mission’s telecommunication service and cost .
To be an active business in the planning and implementation of across the Mission software solution including HR and Finance.

Special improvement initiatives:

Upgrade Citrix platform which is used to deliver business applications across the Mission.
Upgrade various business applications for example;
MATASH (Hospital Management System).
HADS (Community).
JAM (Medical Consulting Software).
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Finance
Average funds under management	$40M
Acquittal reports for funded programs	190
Capital expenditure proposals analysed	$10.3M
Monthly management reports	514

Number of Staff : Full Time 21 ; Part Time 3

Major Functions

Accounting:

Monthly production of Financial reports for Centre Managers and Senior Management for 514 Cost centres.
Yearly Statutory Financial Reports to Australian Accounting Standards for Wesley Mission, Wesley Institute and Wesley Ageing.
Acquittal Financial reports to Funding bodies to account for funding provided.
Financial analysis of results.
Cash Flow planning.
Budgeting.
Business & Strategic Planning.
Accounts Receivable overview.
Accounting policy and procedures.
Accounts Payable.
Treasury.
Asset Management including Capital Expenditure planning and justification.

Head Office Services:

Motor Vehicle Fleet Management of over 400 vehicles.
4th Floor reception services for Wesley Mission Head Office.
Internal Courier services.
Mail Collection and distribution.
Head Office Stationary.
Head Office office equipment management.

Key performance highlights and key issues:

Change financial reporting layouts to reflect new organisational internal structure.
Improve the reporting on Cash Flow and Capital Expenditure.
Overview the processes relating to Asset Management.
Commenced review of the way funds are invested.
Commenced Banking review.
Implemented new motor vehicle policy to make substantial savings in both running and capital costs.

Environmental consideration:

Motor vehicle fleet includes hybrid motor vehicles which use 50% of the petrol for conventional vehicles.

Goals for the next reporting year:

Commence process of upgrading Financial software.
Improve the return on investments by reviewing and implementing a new investment policy.
Reduce the cost of banking transactions.
Stocktake of Fixed Assets and review Capital expenditure justification procedure.
Review compliance and administration of taxes.
Review of purchasing practises to reduce costs and improve processes.
Improved analysis and forecasting of results, as part of a strategic review of the planning process.

Special improvement initiatives:

Asset management procedures including staff training.
Review processes in Cash Management and transactional banking.
Review Management reports to provide more relevant information to assist in planning and operations.
Review the way outstanding overdue Debtors are reported and persued.
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Cottee Orchard
Citrus yield (tns)	4,315
Number of almond trees planted	15,040
Almond yield (kgs)	77,593

About Wesley