Ernest Ong

Director - Melbourne

Ernest Ong is a Director in the Melbourne Risk Advisory division, specialising in Internal Audit.

Ernest has been with RSM Australia for over a decade, delivering expertise in enhancing internal controls, managing risks, and developing actionable solutions.

Ernest's focus is on identifying compliance gaps and minimising risks. Ernest collaborates with RSM offices worldwide, delivering Sarbanes-Oxley consulting services across the Asia Pacific region. 

Before joining RSM Australia, he worked as an external auditor, which provided him with extensive experience in assessing financial and operational controls. Leveraging his background, Ernest enables clients to enhance internal controls, meet regulatory requirements, and foster a culture of accountability and transparency. This approach promotes long-term success in a regulated environment.

In his current role, Ernest helps clients establish and maintain effective Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance Programs by evaluating the design adequacy of key controls and testing their effectiveness. Ernest was instrumental in reviewing the implementation of a public transport ticketing system. He developed a tool to validate the system's business rules, ensuring that correct fares were charged. His review uncovered an anomaly in fare calculations for certain travel zones, leading to significant overpayments to public transport operators. This discovery enabled the Government to recover over a million dollars in overpaid fare revenue, improving the accuracy and transparency of the ticketing system and reinforcing public trust.

"I excel at enhancing internal controls and managing risks and I find that my ability to focus deeply and tackle complex tasks drives my effectiveness in delivering practical, actionable solutions for clients."

Ernest is motivated by a commitment to adding value to his clients. He believes that effective consulting starts with a deep understanding of each client’s unique business, operations, and challenges. Rather than identifying issues just for the sake of it, he aims to provide insights that address the root causes of problems. Ernest recognises that no "one-size-fits-all" solution exists; even within the same industry, clients can have vastly different needs. He tailors his approach to each client’s specific context and goals, striving to develop practical, actionable solutions that drive sustainable improvement and build long-term relationships based on trust and success.

He values engaging with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences. This exposure broadens his perspective and helps him approach challenges with creativity and innovative thinking. Interacting with clients and colleagues from various industries and cultures enhances his professional skills and fosters personal growth, making him more open-minded and adaptable. In his consulting work, Ernest collaborates closely with clients to strengthen their internal control environments and improve risk management practices. 

He designs and implements robust control frameworks that help clients effectively manage risks, ensuring that internal controls are compliant with regulatory requirements and aligned with organisational goals. This proactive approach helps clients build resilience, adapt to changing environments, and achieve sustainable growth. Ernest also enhances governance by providing Boards and Audit Committees with clear insights into the organisation’s risk landscape, fostering transparency and accountability.

Ernest finds that his most productive moments come in the quiet hours of the evening and late at night. The stillness and lack of distractions during these times allow him to focus deeply, think creatively, and tackle complex tasks effectively. This uninterrupted time enables him to engage in high-quality work, whether developing strategic solutions, analysing data, or drafting reports. 

Outside of work, Ernest developed a keen interest in road cycling during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the sport can be costly—his enthusiasm remains strong. Despite the financial investment, the rewards of improved fitness, the joy of long-distance cycling, and the sense of achievement make it a worthwhile pursuit for him.

Solutions ERNEST provides

Ernest provides expert knowledge in the following areas:

•    Internal audit
•    Sarbanes Oxley consulting
•    ASAE 3402 controls
•    Regulatory compliance audits
•    Risk Advisory Services in Melbourne

SIGNIFICANT PROJECTS

Ernest led a team tasked with reviewing the critical financial and IT controls for a leading global food provider headquartered in Chicago. This company operates around 50 plants in 24 countries, supplying food products to multinational fast-food chains. The assignment was conducted across several key locations, including China, Taiwan, Japan, and Australia. The review received highly positive feedback from the Board of Directors and Senior Management, prompting the implementation of significant changes worldwide. The reports generated from this assignment have since been adopted as global templates and have become essential tools for driving change across the organisation.

Associations

•    Member, CPA Australia
•    Member, Institute of Internal Auditors

Qualifications

•    Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting and Finance), University of Melbourne