Skip to content
American ExpressAmerican ExpressAmerican ExpressAmerican ExpressAmerican Express
  • Card Accounts

    • Your Account
    • Activate a New Card
    • Register for Online Services
    • Amex Mobile App Features
    • Add Someone to Your Account
    • Moving Abroad? Transfer Your Card

    Business Owners

    • Your Account
    • Activate a New Card
    • Register for Online Services
    • Membership Rewards & Travel
    • Add Someone to Your Account

    Other Accounts

    • American Express @Work
    • Online Merchant Services
    • International Payments for Businesses

    Contact Us

    • Support 24/7
    AustraliaChange Country
  • Personal Cards

    • View All Personal Cards
    • Learn About Credit Cards

    Popular Personal Cards

    • The Platinum Card
    • The Qantas Ultimate Card
    • The Explorer Card

    Cards for Business Owners

    • View all Business Cards
    • Popular Business Cards
    • Manage Your Business

    Corporate Cards

    • View All Corporate Cards
    • Corporate Payment Solutions
    • Corporate Purchasing Card
    AustraliaChange Country
  • Online Travel

    • Book Travel Online
    • Book Fine Hotels & Resorts
    • Book The Hotel Collection

    Travel Resources

    • Destination Guides
    • Travel Insurance
    • Using Your Card Overseas
    • Card Member Benefits
    • Find a Travel Service Office

    Business Travel

    • Global Business Travel Solutions
    • Small Business Travel
    • Foreign Exchange Services

    Travel Money

    • Travelers Cheques
    • Qantas Credit Cards
    • Travel Rewards Credit Cards
    AustraliaChange Country
  • All Insurance Services

    • Insurance Home Page
    • Insurance with your card
    • Other Insurance

    Travel Insurance

    • Travel Insurance
    • Multi-Trip/Annual Policy
    • Single Trip Policy
    AustraliaChange Country
  • Membership Rewards

    • Use Points for Gift Cards
    • Use Points for Travel
    • Rewards Changes

    Rewards Programs

    • Membership Rewards Cards
    • Qantas Frequent Flyer

    Card Member Offers & Benefits

    • Explore Card Benefits
    • Amex Experiences
    • Refer Friends. Earn Rewards
    AustraliaChange Country
  • Merchants

    • Merchant Home
    • Accept the Card
    • Manage Merchant Account
    • Contact Us and FAQs

    Corporations

    • Corporate Cards
    • Purchasing Solutions
    • Customer Centre
    • Global Business Travel Solutions
    • Meetings & Events
    • International Payments for Businesses

    Business Owners

    • Popular Small Business Cards
    • View All Small Business Cards
    • Manage Your Business
    • Business Credit vs Charge
    • How to Apply for a Business Card

    Global Network

    • Home
    • Issuers
    • Acquirers
    • Service Providers
    • Developers
    AustraliaChange Country
  • Contact Us
  • Log In
      • Your Account
      • Activate a New Card
      • Register for Online Services
      • Amex Mobile App Features
      • Add Someone to Your Account
      • Moving Abroad? Transfer Your Card
      • Your Account
      • Activate a New Card
      • Register for Online Services
      • Membership Rewards & Travel
      • Add Someone to Your Account
      • American Express @Work
      • Online Merchant Services
      • International Payments for Businesses
      • Support 24/7
      • View All Personal Cards
      • Learn About Credit Cards
      • The Platinum Card
      • The Qantas Ultimate Card
      • The Explorer Card
      • View all Business Cards
      • Popular Business Cards
      • Manage Your Business
      • View All Corporate Cards
      • Corporate Payment Solutions
      • Corporate Purchasing Card
      • Book Travel Online
      • Book Fine Hotels & Resorts
      • Book The Hotel Collection
      • Destination Guides
      • Travel Insurance
      • Using Your Card Overseas
      • Card Member Benefits
      • Find a Travel Service Office
      • Global Business Travel Solutions
      • Small Business Travel
      • Foreign Exchange Services
      • Travelers Cheques
      • Qantas Credit Cards
      • Travel Rewards Credit Cards
      • Insurance Home Page
      • Insurance with your card
      • Other Insurance
      • Travel Insurance
      • Multi-Trip/Annual Policy
      • Single Trip Policy
      • Use Points for Gift Cards
      • Use Points for Travel
      • Rewards Changes
      • Membership Rewards Cards
      • Qantas Frequent Flyer
      • Explore Card Benefits
      • Amex Experiences
      • Refer Friends. Earn Rewards
      • Merchant Home
      • Accept the Card
      • Manage Merchant Account
      • Contact Us and FAQs
      • Corporate Cards
      • Purchasing Solutions
      • Customer Centre
      • Global Business Travel Solutions
      • Meetings & Events
      • International Payments for Businesses
      • Popular Small Business Cards
      • View All Small Business Cards
      • Manage Your Business
      • Business Credit vs Charge
      • How to Apply for a Business Card
      • Home
      • Issuers
      • Acquirers
      • Service Providers
      • Developers
  • Contact Us
AustraliaChange Country
  • Card Accounts

    • Your Account
    • Activate a New Card
    • Register for Online Services
    • Amex Mobile App Features
    • Add Someone to Your Account
    • Moving Abroad? Transfer Your Card

    Business Owners

    • Your Account
    • Activate a New Card
    • Register for Online Services
    • Membership Rewards & Travel
    • Add Someone to Your Account

    Other Accounts

    • American Express @Work
    • Online Merchant Services
    • International Payments for Businesses

    Contact Us

    • Support 24/7
  • Personal Cards

    • View All Personal Cards
    • Learn About Credit Cards

    Popular Personal Cards

    • The Platinum Card
    • The Qantas Ultimate Card
    • The Explorer Card

    Cards for Business Owners

    • View all Business Cards
    • Popular Business Cards
    • Manage Your Business

    Corporate Cards

    • View All Corporate Cards
    • Corporate Payment Solutions
    • Corporate Purchasing Card
  • Online Travel

    • Book Travel Online
    • Book Fine Hotels & Resorts
    • Book The Hotel Collection

    Travel Resources

    • Destination Guides
    • Travel Insurance
    • Using Your Card Overseas
    • Card Member Benefits
    • Find a Travel Service Office

    Business Travel

    • Global Business Travel Solutions
    • Small Business Travel
    • Foreign Exchange Services

    Travel Money

    • Travelers Cheques
    • Qantas Credit Cards
    • Travel Rewards Credit Cards
  • All Insurance Services

    • Insurance Home Page
    • Insurance with your card
    • Other Insurance

    Travel Insurance

    • Travel Insurance
    • Multi-Trip/Annual Policy
    • Single Trip Policy
  • Membership Rewards

    • Use Points for Gift Cards
    • Use Points for Travel
    • Rewards Changes

    Rewards Programs

    • Membership Rewards Cards
    • Qantas Frequent Flyer

    Card Member Offers & Benefits

    • Explore Card Benefits
    • Amex Experiences
    • Refer Friends. Earn Rewards
  • Merchants

    • Merchant Home
    • Accept the Card
    • Manage Merchant Account
    • Contact Us and FAQs

    Corporations

    • Corporate Cards
    • Purchasing Solutions
    • Customer Centre
    • Global Business Travel Solutions
    • Meetings & Events
    • International Payments for Businesses

    Business Owners

    • Popular Small Business Cards
    • View All Small Business Cards
    • Manage Your Business
    • Business Credit vs Charge
    • How to Apply for a Business Card

    Global Network

    • Home
    • Issuers
    • Acquirers
    • Service Providers
    • Developers

AustraliaChange Country
Skip to content
DON'T do business WITHOUT IT
DON'T do business WITHOUT IT

Small Business Cards

Cards

  • American Express® Platinum Business Card

  • American Express® Qantas Business Rewards Card

  • American Express Business Explorer® Credit Card

  • View All Cards

  • Compare Cards

International Payments

  • International Payments

  • American Express AccessLine™

  • View All International Payments

Manage Your Business

  • Business Benefits

  • Why Amex for your Business?

  • Business Credit vs Charge

  • Business Rewards

  • Business Cash Flow Management

  • Business Travel Rewards

  • Existing Customers

  • Order Cards for Employees

Corporate Card Programs

Cards

  • American Express® Corporate Platinum Card

  • American Express® Qantas Corporate Platinum Card

  • American Express® Corporate Gold Card

  • View All Corporate Cards

  • Compare Corporate Cards

Payment Solutions

  • Buyer Initiated Payments

  • American Express vPayment™

  • View All Supplier Payments

  • International Payments

  • American Express AccessLine™

  • View All International Payments

Business Class

  • Business Class

  • Products & Solutions

  • Service & Expertise

  • Existing Customers

Business Class

Business Class

Insights and Inspiration to Help Grow Your Business

Security

  • Managing Supply Chain

  • Managing Data and Trends

  • Managing Risks

Growth

  • Expanding

  • Adapting to Change

  • Future Proofing

Funding

  • Managing Cash Flow

  • Financing

  • Becoming More Efficient

People

  • Leading My Team

  • Managing Talent

  • Collaborating

  • Trends and Insights
  • People
  • Leading My Team
Business Class

27 June 2018

Day In the Life of a CFO: Heather Thompson

Day In the Life of a CFO: Heather Thompson

Twitter Icon
Facebook Icon
LinkedIn Icon
Alexandra Cain

Writer, Cain Creativity, Inc.

Summary

As Chief Financial Officer of not-for-profit (NFP) employment and training provider Maxima Group, Heather Thompson has become an expert in the sector and its finances, with advice to share for the aspiring not-for-profit CFO.

Twitter Icon
Facebook Icon
LinkedIn Icon

Heather Thompson is the Chief Financial Officer for Maxima Group, a national not-for-profit entity based in South Australia that provides employment services and training.

Its five-year strategic plan is focused on improving employment outcomes for people wanting to start a career through a traineeship or apprenticeship. Many of Maxima's clients face special challenges to improving their skills and gaining employment - many come from indigenous communities or people who have had an injury, a disability or other health condition.

“We started out as a small, South Australian not-for-profit, and we have grown to become a national organisation," says Thompson.

After first joining as the accountant and payroll clerk, Thompson has been with Maxima Group for 25 of its 32-year history. Thompson has seen the business grow from six employees to 130 today. With a current tender tabled, that number could soon grow close to 200 employees nationally.

Thompson remembers her early days at Maxima; “I was chief cook and bottle washer. I was promoted as the business has grown, and I was appointed as CFO 18 years ago. I have subsequently taken on the role of general manager of corporate services, as well as acting CEO when the CEO is not here. So, it is a very full-on position," she says.

Over time, she has undertaken substantial professional development to acquire the right skills to be a successful CFO.

“I have done extra study, but I have also learned on the job, especially when it comes to understanding contracts. As a not-for-profit, a lot of what we do is about winning government tenders and contracts," she says.

Maxima Group started life as an organisation that placed apprentices into local government roles.

“There was a lot of demand from local councils for tradespeople at the time. We grew from there to placing temporary staff, for instance to replace apprentice supervisors taking leave," says Thompson.

“We then moved into training and became a registered training organisation. From there, we've grown and moved into disability employment. We've bought a few businesses along the way and I have grown with the business by being prepared to get out there and learn about the industry. Prior to coming here, I worked in for-profit businesses, which was a very different experience. I thoroughly enjoy my role now," she adds.

A day in the life

Thompson says her day starts early in the morning and finishes late in the evening.

“The role is really 24/7, but that's probably because I allow it to be that way. In terms of the people who report to me, I now have a senior accountant, and I have a payroll and accounting team of 14 people, which will further grow as we win other tenders," she says.

As the business has developed, so has Thompson's ability to manage other people.

“I have developed better people management skills now, which are crucial, because I have to trust and rely on the people that work with me. I oversee their work, mentor them and make sure the books balance," she explains.

Strategic planning is also an important part of the role, and Thompson says that she and the CEO work closely with the board, which has seven members and a chairman, and work with them on planning.

“It is a little bit different to working for a for-profit business," she says. “We report to them quarterly or earlier if the need arises. They are a very supportive board."

One aspect of her role she relishes is helping people achieve meaningful employment.

“It's not just about helping others to get out there and receive a pay packet. Our trainees, apprentices, temporary staff and jobseekers are able to achieve a new lifestyle by going into employment."

The business has a contract to provide disability employment and has four offices in South Australia that look after people with disabilities. The Maxima team assists them to gain more skills or the confidence to get back into the workforce, or to enter the workforce for the first time.

The business has recently submitted a government tender to provide disability employment services on a national basis, which would extend their services across the country.

“It complements what we are already doing in the business to give people with a disability more employment opportunities," Thompson explains.

Her advice for other people aspiring to be a not-for-profit CFO is to put themselves in the best position to be successful for the role by doing substantial research before applying for a position.

“Understand what the organisation is really all about because a lot of not-for-profits have specific goals and commitments. They will often have prescribed government avenues through which they need to work. That is why it is so important to do your own research about any NFP for which you wish to work," says Thompson.

“Talk to people outside and inside the organisation, to develop the right knowledge to apply for the role and be successful. And do not be afraid to put yourself forward. As I say, if you don't try, you'll never get there. So, have the confidence to put yourself forward, do your homework to ensure you understand the role and it could be the best thing you have ever done," she adds.

Key Takeaways

  • Working in the NFP environment might offer the opportunity to give back while developing great finance skills.
  • NFP CFOs often work very closely with the CEO and board of directors to achieve the organisation's goals.
  • Aspiring CFOs should do substantial due diligence on any organisation for which they would like to work to ensure they understand its mission.
Twitter Icon
Facebook Icon
LinkedIn Icon
Want to Dig Deeper?

Get an American Express Card

  • Personal Cards
  • Credit Cards
  • Small Business Cards
  • Corporate Cards
  • Add Someone to Your Account

More Products & Services

  • Insurance
  • Accept the Card
  • Online Services
  • Book Travel
  • Business International Payments
  • Refer a Friend

Important Links

  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Chip & PIN
  • ATM Locator
  • Accessibility
  • Safe and Secure

Company Information

  • About American Express
  • About American Express Australia
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Site Map
  • Facebook
    • Personal Cards
    • Credit Cards
    • Small Business Cards
    • Corporate Cards
    • Add Someone to Your Account
    • Insurance
    • Accept the Card
    • Online Services
    • Book Travel
    • Business International Payments
    • Refer a Friend
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Chip & PIN
    • ATM Locator
    • Accessibility
    • Safe and Secure
    • About American Express
    • About American Express Australia
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
    • Site Map
    • Facebook

American Express
AustraliaChange Country
  • Connect with Amex on Facebook
  • Connect with Amex on Instagram
  • Tweet your questions to @AskAmex
  • Connect with Amex on LinkedIn
  • YouTube

  • Website Rules and Regulations
  • Trademarks
  • Privacy Statement
  • Security Alerts

Copyright © 2021 American Express Company