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Laurie Lefcourt

A picture of Laurie Lefcourt

Name:
Laurie Lefcourt
Age:
45
Location:
Brisbane
Current job title:
Manager Commercial Services and Compliance

Qualifications

Chartered Accountant

Past experience

10 years mining in commercial management roles, previously audit manager both external and internal with Ernst & Young and then Ansett Australia.

How did you get started?

I was looking for a role that would give me the chance to contribute to the decision making of a small operation. In a larger corporate environment, my ability to contribute anything meaningful was limited due to the narrow view of most roles. Mining offered me both the opportunity to work as part of an autonomous team where I was able to be fully engaged in the operation and its outcomes, as well as the ability to raise a family on one income due to the benefits of remote locations. This suited our family as my husband had decided to stay at home to raise our children and give up his career.

Greatest professional achievement

Part of the construction and start up team of the Hail Creek Mine west of Mackay. As commercial manager, I was held accountable for the construction budget as well as the establishment of the business side of the operation. The outcomes were highly successful, and it was one of the most satisfying experiences in my career.

Challenges the job presents

I am currently responsible for the delivery of accounting services to the six operating sites at Rio Tinto Coal Australia. I am also accountable for the successful delivery of the Sarbanes Oxley compliance program. Both require significant understanding of the anomalies of each of the operations in order to deliver the right information to my customers (to manage their part of the business), and to ensure that the financial reporting risk environment is well controlled.

What you like most about your job

Maintaining an understanding of what is happening in the operations, being able to provide information that helps my customers to improve their part of the business, and dealing with all of the varied people at work.

Typical day at work

I generally start around 7am (all the years at mine sites have changed old habits of 9am starts). I meet with my team to understand any issues that may have cropped up and work out what they might need from me. I review and/or prepare the information required for upcoming joint venture meetings, at which I will be required to present the financial information for that particular JV. I review work performance of my staff, assist in areas that need resolving (possibly conflicts with other departments). Monthly, I go to sites to meet with management teams and go through costs and plans. Review work plans and outcomes from internal audit testing and Sarbanes Oxley compliance work. It is a very busy role.

Advice for other women

Take control of your own career. Don't let someone else manage it for you. You need to understand what you want out of your career, and set yourself up to achieve. Take advantage of opportunities that arise and don't ever let yourself or anyone else believe that it will be harder for you because you are a woman. Most places I have worked, my peers and my managers have treated me no different from the male colleagues. But you have to do likewise. I think if you consider yourself a colleague first and a women second, you will fit in anywhere.

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Last updated: 8 April 2008