Disability-sector speaker and presenter

Practical financial insights for disability providers, boards and sector leaders

John Tomlinson, CPA and Chartered Management Accountant, is available for conference presentations, professional forums, panel discussions, board workshops and provider training.

John speaks about the financial and operational challenges facing disability organisations, drawing on more than 30 years of experience across financial management, healthcare, government-funded services, operational improvement and governance.

His presentations translate complex financial and operational issues into plain language, practical examples and actions that audiences can apply within their organisations.

Speaking topics

1. Financial sustainability in the changing NDIS environment

A practical examination of the financial pressures facing disability providers and the information organisations need to make sustainable decisions.

Topics can include:

• understanding the true cost of delivering services;

• cash-flow pressures;

• labour and workforce costs;

• service-level profitability;

• financial reporting;

• identifying emerging risks; and

• preparing for sector and funding changes.

Audience outcome: A clearer understanding of the financial information providers need to manage risk and support long-term sustainability.

2. SIL sustainability: understanding the numbers behind the service

Supported Independent Living arrangements can be financially complex. This presentation explores how funding, staffing, occupancy and operating assumptions affect the sustainability of individual homes.

Topics can include:

• staffing structures and support ratios;

• participant funding;

• vacancies and participant transitions;

• award and employment costs;

• irregular and shared funding;

• direct and organisational costs;

• break-even analysis; and

• testing alternative operating scenarios.

Audience outcome: A practical understanding of the factors that determine whether a SIL service is financially sustainable.

3. Financial reporting that supports better decisions

• Financial reports should do more than describe what has already happened.

This presentation explores how providers, executives and boards can use management information to understand operational performance, identify risks and make informed decisions.

Topics can include:

• the difference between financial accounts and management reporting;

• service-level reporting;

• budget variance analysis;

• workforce and labour-cost reporting;

• cash-flow forecasting;

• indicators requiring management attention; and

• reporting to boards and committees.

Audience outcome: Practical ideas for turning financial information into a useful management and governance tool.

4. Growing a disability organisation sustainably

Growth can create opportunities, but it can also place significant pressure on cash flow, staffing, systems and management capacity.

This presentation considers:

• assessing the financial viability of growth;

• forecasting cash and working-capital requirements;

• understanding the cost of new services;

• workforce and recruitment implications;

• financial systems and internal controls;

• management capacity;

• identifying risks before committing resources; and

• ensuring growth supports quality participant outcomes.

Audience outcome: A framework for evaluating growth opportunities before making significant financial and operational commitments.

5. Audit readiness and financial governance

Audit readiness should be part of normal organisational practice rather than an activity undertaken immediately before an audit.

This presentation examines:

• financial records and supporting evidence;

• internal controls;

• management responsibilities;

• financial policies and actual practice;

• payroll and transaction controls;

• responding to audit findings;

• preparing management responses; and

• monitoring corrective actions.

Audience outcome: A clearer understanding of how sound financial governance and organised evidence can reduce audit risk.

John does not conduct independent NDIS certification audits or provide legal advice.

6. Brisbane 2032: creating an accessible and sustainable disability legacy

The Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games present an opportunity to improve accessibility, participation and inclusion across Queensland.

This presentation considers:

• accessibility within venues and surrounding infrastructure;

• engagement with people with disability;

• opportunities for disability-sector organisations;

• inclusive employment and participation;

• the connection between accessibility and economic opportunity; and

• how Brisbane 2032 can create a meaningful legacy beyond the Games.

Audience outcome: A broader understanding of the opportunities and responsibilities associated with creating an accessible Brisbane 2032 legacy.

Sessions tailored to the audience

Presentations can be tailored for:

• disability-service providers;

• provider owners and executives;

• boards and governance committees;

• finance and operational teams;

• industry associations;

• conference delegates;

• community organisations;

• self-managed participants and families; and

• government and disability-sector forums.

Content, examples and presentation length can be adjusted to suit the audience and event objectives.

Available formats

John is available for:

• conference presentations;

• keynote or featured presentations;

• panel discussions;

• professional and industry forums;

• board and executive workshops;

• provider training sessions;

• webinars and online presentations;

• facilitated financial discussions; and

• podcasts and media interviews.

Sessions can be delivered face-to-face across the Gold Coast, Brisbane and surrounding areas, or online throughout Australia.

What audiences can expect

John’s speaking style is practical, considered and evidence-based.

Audiences can expect:

• complex issues explained in plain language;

• practical examples;

• financial and operational perspectives;

• questions that encourage constructive discussion;

• useful frameworks and considerations;

• independent analysis; and

• actions that can be applied after the session.

Presentations are informative and engaging without relying on unnecessary technical accounting language.

About John Tomlinson

John Tomlinson is a CPA and Chartered Management Accountant with more than 40 years of experience in financial management, budgeting, reporting, operational analysis and organisational improvement.

His experience spans healthcare, government, complex service-delivery organisations, disability-provider planning, SIL financial modelling, NDIS audit readiness and financial governance.

John also brings personal experience of disability, giving him an understanding of the disability sector from both professional and lived-experience perspectives.

Invite John to speak

To discuss a conference, workshop, panel or professional event, please provide:

• the organisation and event;

• proposed date and location;

• intended audience;

• expected audience size;

• preferred topic;

• session length and format; and

• whether the engagement is face-to-face or online.

John will contact you to discuss the audience, objectives, content and engagement arrangements.

Enquire about a speaking engagement

John Tomlinson, CPA, CIMA
Specialist Disability Accountant and Speaker
Founder, Disability Financial Clarity

Phone: 0423 423 995
Email: JohnTomlinson@disabilityfinancialclarity.com.au