Behind the Scenes of Sydney Zoo’s Finance Build...

As you settle into your morning and dive into month-end duties, here’s something fresh from The Cashflow Café—an inside look at how a finance leader (and one of our own - Hubert) built systems and processes for Sydney Zoo from scratch.

And if you’re wondering, yes this is the zoo that Taylor Swift visited 😂

Our Notes From Finance in the Zoo/ Tourism Industry

Below were our key takeaways, and we go into more detail on this on our pod.

• Creating Everything from the Ground Up
  Hubert spoke to the unique challenge of building policies, processes, and systems with no template, saying, “You don’t get to walk into a mature setup; you’re writing every policy and figuring out every procedure as you go.” He emphasized how starting from scratch can be daunting but rewarding, as it teaches adaptability and builds a strong foundation for future growth.

• Learning to Keep It Simple and Understandable
  Kevin outlines: “Sometimes we think certain finance concepts are just common knowledge, but many people don’t look at it the same way.” This is a reminder that true business partnering means making complex concepts accessible and clear for everyone, not just the finance team.

• Finance at the Zoo: Unique Nuances
  Unlike other corporate settings, managing a zoo’s finances comes with its own quirks. Hubert shared, “You almost forget you’re working at a zoo until you walk outside and hear the lions roaring. It’s a reminder that your work impacts not just people, but the entire ecosystem you’re supporting.” This perspective highlights how finance can feel different depending on the business’s purpose.

• Connecting Dimensions to the Business’s Real Drivers
  Hubert explained his use of Microsoft Dynamics dimensions to capture department-level data, saying, “We’ve segmented the zoo into retail, food and beverage, ticketing, and more. This lets us analyze how each part of the business is performing and see exactly where the revenue and costs are.” Using dimensions in finance systems can give leaders a clearer picture and better control over complex operations.

• The Value of Operational Awareness
  Working closely with zookeepers and other staff, Hubert emphasized, “It’s not just about the numbers. Understanding what each team needs, whether it’s feeding schedules or visitor trends, helps finance make better-informed decisions.” His hands-on approach reminds us that finance leaders benefit from insights beyond just financial data—they need an on-the-ground understanding to drive results.

A side note from Hubert:

• “Every Family Needs One Accountant”
  Hubert shared how critical accounting skills can be for any family or business, saying, “You see families with doctors and engineers, and they’re still struggling financially. But one accountant in the family, that’s all you need to manage money well.” In finance, it’s about structure, process, and understanding numbers—not just at work but in life.

Life Hack Of The Week

Do yourself a favour.

Download the Chrome extension for ChatGPT.

Now everytime you search for something, you don’t just get the most relevant curated websites, you get the information properly summarised.

How many times do you google for Accounting help 😂😂😂

The Cashflow Cafe is ‘the written version’ of our Podcast (The Ash, Hubert & Kevin Pod)

On our pod, we share finance stories, lessons, and mistakes to help business owners and finance pros understand sometimes complex concepts.

Our aim is for you to leave each episode thinking, "Ahk. I get it now."

Listen to our latest episode below, and like & subscribe on Youtube!

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