John Findlay

Partner - Ballarat

John Findlay is a Partner in the Ballarat Audit & Assurance division.

He holds extensive audit experience and works closely with both for-profit and not-for-profit clients from the private and public sectors. 

John's passion lies in collaborating with clients to identify and address their specific challenges, ensuring that the solutions not only meet regulatory and compliance standards but also drive business success.

"I pride myself on establishing excellent relationships with my clients and delivering timely cost-effective audit and assurance services for my diverse client base. I am respected for my pragmatic and commercially based solutions to complex financial accounting and reporting issues that have arisen with my clients over the past 30 years."

With a deep understanding of industry-specific challenges and standards, he is motivated to guide clients through the complexities of financial regulations, ensuring their reporting processes are both accurate and efficient. His expertise spans across multiple industries, allowing him to provide customised solutions that align with each client's unique operational needs and strategic goals. By focusing on achieving excellence in financial reporting and adherence to regulatory mandates, he helps clients mitigate risks, enhance transparency, and maintain the highest standards of integrity in their financial practices.

Before joining RSM in Ballarat in 2016, John amassed extensive experience in various industry roles. He previously worked for the Department of Treasury and Finance on secondment from the Victorian Auditor-General’s Office (VAGO). During his 14-month tenure there, John was a senior member of the Secretariat supporting the Independent Review of State Finances Panel (IFRS). Starting in April 2007, John served as an Assistant Auditor-General with VAGO, overseeing the Financial Audit Business Unit, which managed a client base of 570 and had a turnover of $20 million. Prior to moving to Victoria, John spent 24 years in the Queensland public sector, including 9 years in senior audit roles with the Queensland Audit Office. He also held the position of Audit Partner at another mid-tier firm.

Outside of work, John enjoys keeping fit through exercise and outdoor activities with his partner and adult sons. He likes to be involved in activities such as mountain bike riding, surfing, long-range target shooting, and cutting and splitting firewood. He also likes travelling within Australia in his 4WD and overseas when the opportunities permit.

SOLUTIONS JOHN PROVIDES

• Providing expert financial audit services
• Technical accounting advice
• Preparation of financial statements
• Conduct of grant acquittals
• Financial statement, compliance and risk management reviews
• Internal control and accounting system reviews
• Advising boards and committees on matters of corporate governance

SIGNIFICANT PROJECTS

Working with start-up businesses and assisting them with their implementation of cost-effective internal controls, technical accounting advice, compliance with accounting standards, preparation of financial statements that meet financial reporting and regulatory requirements and their corporate governance obligations.

Successfully assisted a large for-profit company in the manufacturing sector who had outgrown their previous external accountants and auditors with their transition to best practice in the areas of cost-effective internal controls, compliance with accounting standards, preparation of financial statements that meet financial reporting and regulatory requirements and their corporate governance obligations.

UFS Dispensaries Ltd (UFS)

FS is a mutual organisation and has been providing pharmaceutical and healthcare services to its members and the broader community for over 140 years. The organisation operates 19 pharmacies across western Victoria, along with a range of complementary health services, including UFS Medical, comprising four medical centres and an Urgent Care Clinic, two UFS Eye Care clinics, and a UFS Dental Care practice. For the year ended 30 June 2025, UFS reported revenue of $89.15 million and net assets of $38 million.
John has had the privilege of advising UFS for more than a decade at RSM and supported the organisation for several years prior while at another firm. This long-standing relationship has enabled him to develop a strong understanding of UFS's operations, governance structure, financial reporting requirements and broader operating environment. 

Murray Cod Australia Limited (MCA)

Since late 2022, John has led RSM’s audit relationship with Murray Cod Australia Limited, an ASX-listed aquaculture business based in Griffith and the company behind Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod. MCA was listed on the Australian Securities Exchange in January 2017 and has been successful in expanding the business through having murray cod sold in major Australian supermarkets and post the pandemic, re-opening export markets in the USA, Europe and Japan and has recently launched a new product, Aquna Gold Caviar.

Working closely with the company’s finance team, management and those charged with governance, John and his team have supported timely half-year and full-year audits, strengthened internal controls, and helped improve inventory management, stocktaking and reporting practices.

Read the Murray Cod Australia client story.

ASSOCIATIONS

• Fellow, CPA Australia
• Affiliate Member, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ)
• Member, Institute of Internal Auditors (MIIA)
• Member, Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD)

REGISTRATIONS

• Registered Company Auditor (RCA)
• Registered Self-Managed Superannuation Fund Auditor
• Public Practice Certificate, CPA Australia

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master of Business (Accountancy), Queensland University of Technology
• Bachelor of Business (Accountancy), Queensland University of Technology
• Bachelor of Laws, Queensland University of Technology
• Graduate Diploma in Company Secretarial Practice, Chartered Secretaries Australia