James Solomons

James Solomons

Dawes Point, New South Wales, Australia
10K followers 500+ connections

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About

I am an innovative business leader who has a true knack for 'humanising the numbers'. I have accumulated experience drawn from a range of industries including professional services, financial services, HR, software development, & academia and I have brought this together into a unique approach to help businesses scale both nationally and internationally. I've worked in some of the world's leading Fintechs, HRTechs and RegTechs and understand the SaaS market, positioning myself as a leader in the space. I'm an experienced accountant & finance professional who successfully made the transition from public practice to CFO/COO of an ASX listed tech company.

Skills & Experience
> Demonstrated & proven leadership skills 
> Retail & Channel Distribution, SaaS & Financial Products
> Budgetary & Financial discipline 
> Corporate governance & risk management, Investor relations, capital markets & investment management 
> Business transformation & improvement

As Xref CFO/COO, I've been successful in managing its exponential growth by building an efficient and effective finance division which supports the entire business. I've achieved this by focusing on remaining lean and adopting technologies that scale and adapt to the constantly changing requirements of a publicly listed, global, in-demand tech platform.

To this role, I bring many learnings from my position as Xero Australia’s Head of Accounting, where from 2014 to 2018 I was responsible for providing a clear vision and positive guidance to accountants to help them leverage the opportunity digital disruption has created in the accounting profession.

I have over 23 years experience in accounting (both public practice and corporate) and after joining Xero in late 2014, made the decision to start a new 100% cloud based firm from scratch & co-founded Aptus Accounting & Advisory in January 2015 which doubled in growth every year since its beginning. It was recognised as one of the Top 50 Cloud Accounting Firms in Australia by HubDoc in 2018 and in 2019 won the Most Innovative Accounting Firm in Australia award at the Australian Accounting Awards.

I am a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand (FCA) and a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD)

I'm also the host of the successful CFO Magazine Lunchtime Live Webcast series, CFO Magazine Breakfast events and full day CFO Symposiums & since 2019 have interviewed over 250 CFOs, Finance & Business leaders, helping to share their knowledge & experiences for the benefit of the finance & business community globally.

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Experience

  • Xref Graphic

    Xref

    Sydney, Australia

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    Australia

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    Sydney, Australia

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    Sydney, Australia

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    Australia

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    Worldwide

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    Australia & New Zealand

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    Sydney, Australia

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    Department of Accounting, Economics & Finance

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    Sydney, Australia

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    Sydney, Australia

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    Australia

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    Sydney, Australia

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Education

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    UAI 94.15

Licenses & Certifications

Volunteer Experience

  • Northholm Grammar School Graphic

    Deputy Chairman

    Northholm Grammar School

    - Present 5 months

    Education

    Northholm Grammar School is incorporated as a public company limited by guarantee with a Board of Directors and provision for persons associated with the school to become members of the Company. The Board is known as the School Council.

    The School Council is responsible for the appointment of the Principal and the good management and welfare of the school, including provision for the maintenance and protection of the property.

    Members of the School Council are selected on the…

    Northholm Grammar School is incorporated as a public company limited by guarantee with a Board of Directors and provision for persons associated with the school to become members of the Company. The Board is known as the School Council.

    The School Council is responsible for the appointment of the Principal and the good management and welfare of the school, including provision for the maintenance and protection of the property.

    Members of the School Council are selected on the basis of their skills, knowledge and experience across a range of professions. Their collective knowledge assists with the development and implementation of new plans and strategies for the School and guidance to the Principal on matters relating to the both the operation and management of the School. The Principal attends all Council meetings.

    https://www.northholm.nsw.edu.au/governance/

  • Northholm Grammar School Graphic

    Chairman - Building Committee

    Northholm Grammar School

    - Present 1 year 3 months

    Education

  • NORTHHOLM GRAMMAR SCHOOL Graphic

    Council Member

    NORTHHOLM GRAMMAR SCHOOL

    - Present 4 years 3 months

    Education

  • Kids West Western Sydney Paediatric Fund Raising Inc Graphic

    Board Member & Treasurer

    Kids West Western Sydney Paediatric Fund Raising Inc

    - Present 11 years 5 months

    Children

    Kids West was founded in 1991 by Trevor Oldfield and Professor Reuben Dubois of Westmead Hospital. We were formed to raise much needed funds for the Hospitals in Sydney's Western region. Kids West has successfully recruited Board member volunteers from NSW Police, Ambulance and Fire brigade as well as local business leaders, Doctors, Nurses and those with Administrative skills. This has placed us in a unique and powerful position to raise funds and ensure that those funds are distributed to…

    Kids West was founded in 1991 by Trevor Oldfield and Professor Reuben Dubois of Westmead Hospital. We were formed to raise much needed funds for the Hospitals in Sydney's Western region. Kids West has successfully recruited Board member volunteers from NSW Police, Ambulance and Fire brigade as well as local business leaders, Doctors, Nurses and those with Administrative skills. This has placed us in a unique and powerful position to raise funds and ensure that those funds are distributed to areas giving the best result possible for our community.

    Recognising the shortage of crucial equipment and resources in Hospitals such as Auburn, Westmead, Mt Druitt and Nepean, Kids West was welcomed as a no frills charity who aimed at identifying the real needs and filling gaps wherever possible.

    As at 2024 Kids West have donated in excess of $7.2m to various areas throughout Western Sydney.

  • Macquarie University Graphic

    Undergraduate Mentor / Guest Lecturer / Industry Advisor

    Macquarie University

    - Present 11 years 11 months

    Education

    As an industry leader and Macquarie University Alumni I have been asked to take on a mentor role, assisting final year undergraduate students to make the transition from study to the workforce.

    I have also been asked to be a guest lecturer as part of the ACCG315 Accountants in the Profession which I have been undertaking since 2014

    I currently speak with and educate the next generation of accounting and business professionals in a voluntary capacity in a number of areas mainly…

    As an industry leader and Macquarie University Alumni I have been asked to take on a mentor role, assisting final year undergraduate students to make the transition from study to the workforce.

    I have also been asked to be a guest lecturer as part of the ACCG315 Accountants in the Profession which I have been undertaking since 2014

    I currently speak with and educate the next generation of accounting and business professionals in a voluntary capacity in a number of areas mainly focusing on the impact of technology of businesses and the role advisers play in this new digital landscape.

  • Treasurer & Executive Committee Member

    Redbacks Football Club (Redbacks FC)

    - Present 18 years

    Social Services

  • Scouts Australia Graphic

    Honorary Auditor - Eastwood Marsfield Formation

    Scouts Australia

    - Present 20 years 4 months

    Social Services

  • Director & Treasurer

    The Sydney High School Foundation Limited

    - Present 2 years 1 month

    Social Services

    https://shsfoundation.org.au/

  • Sydney High School Old Boys Union Graphic

    Executive Committee Member

    Sydney High School Old Boys Union

    - 15 years 8 months

    Social Services

  • Sydney High School Old Boys Union Graphic

    Treasurer

    Sydney High School Old Boys Union

    - 1 year

    Social Services

  • Sydney High School Old Boys Union Graphic

    Treasurer

    Sydney High School Old Boys Union

    - 1 year 1 month

    Social Services

  • Director & Treasurer

    The Sydney High School Foundation Limited

    - 1 year 2 months

    Social Services

    https://shsfoundation.org.au/

  • Honorary Auditor

    Ryde Ex Services Men's Bowling Club

    - 9 years 1 month

    Social Services

  • Honorary Auditor

    Ryde Ex Services Women's Bowling Club

    - 9 years 1 month

    Social Services

  • Honorary Auditor

    Macquarie District Women's Bowling Association

    - Present 14 years 2 months

    Social Services

  • Honorary Auditor

    New South Wales Women's Bowl For Others Club

    - Present 14 years 2 months

    Social Services

  • 2011 Gong Ride Participant

    Multiple Sclerosis Australia

    - 1 month

    Health

    Raised $10,205 by undertaking the 90km ride from Sydney to the Gong. 13th Highest fundraiser out of 10,000 participants

  • Kids West Western Sydney Paediatric Fund Raising Inc Graphic

    City2Surf 2013 Fundraiser

    Kids West Western Sydney Paediatric Fund Raising Inc

    - 1 month

    Children

    Raised $11,180 by competing in the 14km run from Hyde Park to Bondi Beach. The money raised is going towards the Shaken Baby Prevention Project

  • Australian Red Cross Graphic

    Regular Blood & Plasma Donor

    Australian Red Cross

    - Present 13 years

    Health

Publications

Projects

  • LION Unleashed Accelerator Program - Financial Modelling Program

    - Present

    See project

  • QANTAS ARVO Accelerator Program - Financial Modelling Program

    - Present

    See project

  • HR Tech Accelerator Program - Financial Modelling Program

    - Present

    See project

  • HCF Catalyst Accelerator Program - Financial Modelling Program

    - Present

    See project

  • Xero Partner Code of Conduct

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    Over the course of 18 months I led the project to develop the Xero Partner Code of Conduct, a global first which helped accountants understand their obligations regarding ownership, protection and provision of access to client data stored in the cloud.

    The project required extensive consultation with various stakeholders in the accounting and technology industry including accounting & bookkeeping practitioners, the ATO, the Tax Practitioners Board, CA Aust & New Zealand, CPA Australia…

    Over the course of 18 months I led the project to develop the Xero Partner Code of Conduct, a global first which helped accountants understand their obligations regarding ownership, protection and provision of access to client data stored in the cloud.

    The project required extensive consultation with various stakeholders in the accounting and technology industry including accounting & bookkeeping practitioners, the ATO, the Tax Practitioners Board, CA Aust & New Zealand, CPA Australia, IPA Australia, ICB Australia, AAT Australia and Australian Bookkeepers Network as well discussions with internal and external legal teams at Xero.

    A robust panel session was held at Xerocon 2015 with the TPB, IPA, ICB & CAANZ represented where the first draft of the Code of Conduct was released to the industry and since then work was performed on the draft document based on feedback received.

    In October 2016 the Code of Conduct was finalised and released to become part of the revised Partner Agreement due to take effect November 15, 2016.

    See project

Honors & Awards

  • Top 50 Cloud Accountants in Australia 2018

    HubDoc

  • Innovator of the Year - 2018

    Australian Accounting Awards, presented by Accountants Daily

  • Top 50 Cloud Accountants in Australia 2017

    HubDoc

  • Advancement to Fellowship of CA ANZ (FCA)

    Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand

    Fellowship recognises individual members for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the profession.

    As a guide, most nominees will have been a member for at least fifteen years in order to have the level of achievement or contribution to become a Fellow.

    They must demonstrate excellence through their outstanding achievement in their profession, or through their outstanding contribution to the profession. They also need to have an exemplary membership…

    Fellowship recognises individual members for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the profession.

    As a guide, most nominees will have been a member for at least fifteen years in order to have the level of achievement or contribution to become a Fellow.

    They must demonstrate excellence through their outstanding achievement in their profession, or through their outstanding contribution to the profession. They also need to have an exemplary membership record.

    https://www.charteredaccountantsanz.com/member-services/manage-your-membership/advancement-to-fellowship

  • Special Service Award for Good Service

    Scouts Australia

    I was awarded a Special Service Award for Good Service to Scouts Australia by His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) (having been the honourary auditor of the Eastwood Marsfield Region since May 2004)

  • Recognition Award for ongoing commitment to the unit ACCG315 "Accounts in the Profession"

    Macquarie University Faculty of Business & Economics

    Macquarie University Recognition Award for ongoing commitment to the first Accounting PACE unit (“Accountants in the Profession”) as an industry partner and member in practice, outlining to third year students the different parts of the accounting profession.

  • Awarded Life Membership of Redbacks FC

    Redbacks Football Club Inc

  • enableHR Finance Partner of the Year 2013 (EFS Strategic)

    enableHR (Online HR and WH&S Solution)

  • Merit List - Tax Module, CA Program

    Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (ICAA)

Test Scores

  • UAI

    Score: 94.15

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