Andrew Wood

Head of Fund Services

 Andrew Wood joined Financial Synergy in December 2009 as Head of Fund Services, to manage the operations in the investments and administration division. 

Andrew has an extensive accounting and investment administration background gained over the past 15 years in the financial services industry. His previous role was Head of Custody and Investment Administration at Chimaera Capital Limited (a division of Chimaera Financial Group). Prior to this he was manager of the Fund Accounting Division at National Custodian Services (an operating division of the National Australia Bank Group of companies).

As well as bringing a solid skill set to the company, Andrew supports his professional development with a CPA qualification.

 

  Jenet Pyliotis

Manager - Operations

Jenet Pyliotis joined the Financial Synergy Administration team in April 2008. Initially employed as Team Leader, Administration, Jenet is now Manager, Operations. Jenet's role oversees the training and development of staff, quality and efficiency improvements, and development of knowledge management across the Financial Synergy Administration division. 

Jenet began her professional career in the banking and finance industry in 1989, working within the retail banking sector for nearly 10 years with Commonwealth Bank and National Australia Bank. In 1998, Jenet moved to Government Super (now known as ESSS) where she began as an Administrator but was quickly promoted to Team Lead for Member Communications on the Beneficiary Choice Project. 

As well as her breadth of experience in the fields of superannuation and finance, Jenet holds a Diploma of Frontline Management through RMIT, and PS100 and 146 certificates through ASFA. 

 Thanuja Kothalawala

Manager - Change Management

Thanuja Kothalawala joined Financial Synergy in October 2006 as QA Analyst and has since been promoted to Senior QA Analyst and Team Leader of QA. As of March 2010, Thanuja has embarked on a new journey at Financial Synergy in the Administration division as Manager - Change Managerment.

Thanuja's role oversees client transition management as well as process research, development and management. Her team is responsible for legislative compliance and product research, with continuous improvement and quality control key measures of success. 

Thanuja worked as a Software Developer and Software Engineer in Sri Lanka and Sweden for eight years prior to moving to Australia. She is ASFA 146 Certified and supports her professional experience with a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems from Manchester Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom.

 Pat Alifraco

Manager - Compliance

Pat Alifraco joined Financial Synergy in 2008 as Manager of Compliance. With over eight years experience in Compliance within the Superannuation Industry, Pat is a proven expert in his field and a valuable asset to the company.

Pat's role oversees compliance monitoring of regulatory obligations for Financial Synergy, in addition to the monitoring of both internal and trustee policies. Prior to working at Financial Synergy, Pat held Compliance roles in companies including Avanteos (now Colonial First State Custom Solutions) and Equity Trustees, with experience in Operations as Administration Manager also.

Pat supports his professional experience with a Diploma of Superannuation Management from ASFA, the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia.

 Gianna Sammut

Manager - Fund Accounting

Gianna Sammut joined Financial Synergy in May 2010 as Manager - Fund Accounting. Gianna's primary responsibility is to oversee the operations of the Fund Accounting Team and to ensure that all requirements outlined in the Administration Agreements are delivered in line with agreed service levels and internal policies.

Gianna commenced her professional accounting career at Fairfax Business Media and progressed to Australian Unity, in the General Insurance division. More recently, Gianna gained five years of financial services experience in her previous role as Team Leader of the Fund Services division at NAB Asset Servicing (formerly National Custodian Services).

Gianna supports her professional accounting and financial services experience with a CPA qualification.

 

 David Pascoe

Business Development Executive

David Pascoe joined Financial Synergy as Manager of Administration Development and Delivery in October 2008 and was promoted in 2010 to Business Development Executive.

David has 22 years experience in the financial service industry, specialising in self managed superannuation administration and consulting. During that time David has work as an administrator, financial adviser and as a senior executive in his own business. He has also worked for mid-size financial planning and funds management firms SAI Private and netwealth Investments.

In fulfilling his various roles, he has worked closely with financial planners, specialist lawyers, actuaries, accountants and software developers. As a result he has a deep understanding of the nuances of the Self Managed Superannuation Fund (SMSF) industry and the planning issues facing financial advisers.

David supports his professional experience with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science and a PS 146 Statement of Compliance with the Securities Institute.