I believe cash flow is the lifeblood of any small business entity; however, it is often mismanaged, causing

many small enterprises to fail. My work experience began as an independent contract staff assigned to
audit, evaluate and fix the two-year financial statements of the worker cooperative at the Central Bank
of Indonesia. I adopted efficient accounting software to help maintain accurate accounts and replaced
their traditional bookkeeping system, which is prone to accounting errors. After two months of
recalculating, I discovered that the actual net income was different from its previous statement, stated
as loss. This might have happened due to the lack of internal control and technological skill in assuring
the quality of financial reporting process and statement. The two-year undistributed profit due to the
bias financial statement was finally fixed and well received by the worker cooperative members. I
realised that the delay of shifting to technology; using computerised systems and transcending from a
traditional system has hindered small business to grow and prosper their employees. This real-world
experience and the success met providing the worker cooperative with practical tools and resources
propelled me to want to further develop and sharpen my skills in the two disciplines of accounting and
finance. I also envision myself in the role of a mentor for emerging small-medium entrepreneurs which
can empower and enrich my expertise in this sector.

My interest in financial management for small businesses embarked when I was chosen as the Vice
Minister of Finance of the College Student's Union. I took this opportunity to enhance my academic
background and initiated some trainings for community developments such as basic bookkeeping,
budgeting, and some skills in financial management. The outcome of this training stimulated the
participants to implement ethical financial management practices, improve internal controls and
maintain transparency within organisations. I was humbled to receive the Best Performing Student
Award for social contribution from the Vice-Chancellor and becoming the recipient of a two-year fully
funded scholarship from PT Paiton Energy.

Furthermore, my passion for teaching has also demonstrated my great potential as a future
academician. I served as a teaching assistant for three Intermediate Financial Accounting and
Governmental Accounting classes. This experience encouraged me to create a pro-bono group learning
and informal mentorship for final-year students. I believe my significant contribution was my effort to
help demotivated students overcome their challenges to continue their studies, one of them going
through challenging times, battling cancer and dealing with divorce parents. I was proud to see her
graduate last year and felt blessed to have been able to support her through her trying times.

All of my future aspirations would only be possible by obtaining a Master's of Management (Accounting
and Finance) at the University of Melbourne. This program will equip me with a strong foundation and
advanced studies in accounting and finance. Besides, it has a unique student club, Melbourne
Microfinance Initiative; will enable me to hone my business skills and promote inclusive business
practice for a microfinance institution in Indonesia. I believe this program could help me combine the
theoretical framework with practices that will contribute a significant step toward my later goals of
serving as a lecturer and a small business enterprise mentor in the future.