Our story
Friday Financial was established in 2012 (when it was known as LDB Financial) by husband-and-wife team Leigh and Dianna Butterworth. After years in the corporate sector, Dianna and Leigh decided to start their own business so they could do what they love, spend more time together as a family and eventually even take Fridays off!
It’s this philosophy that underpins Friday Financial’s mission: to give small and medium business owners the freedom to focus on what really matters.
Dianna, Leigh and Friday Financial’s team of eight staff bring a diverse and commercially-focused skill set to the table to help businesses in a wide range of sectors achieve their goals.
Our team
Director
Dianna Butterworth
Dianna began her career at KPMG in the audit and assurance division, where she completed the Professional Year Programme with the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ). She then travelled to London, where she worked for six months in Treasury at Deutsche Bank.
After returning to Australia, Dianna spent a decade in financial management roles at Fosters Group, Country Road and Hudsons Coffee. Dianna was a key financial advisor on the successful sale of Hudsons Coffee to Emirates Leisure Retail Australia. She also served as Board Member and Chair of Finance for STREAT, a social enterprise that equips homeless youth with life skills, work experience and training.
Dianna has extensive experience in financial control, month-end reporting and improving business processes and efficiencies.
Professional qualifications:
CA, Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ)
Senior Associate, Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FINSIA)
Diploma in Financial Planning (CPA Australia)
Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance and Investment, FINSIA
Bachelor of Commerce (major in Accounting & Finance), Melbourne University
On a Friday night, you will find me with a French martini in hand, eating dinner out with Leigh and the 2 girls talking about the week that was and the weekend to come.
Director
Leigh Butterworth
Leigh has 25 years’ industry experience in commercial and financial reporting roles.
Leigh commenced his career in the Audit division with KPMG, working in both Melbourne and Boston. After returning to Australia, he worked with Village Roadshow and as a Director with Deloitte in the Corporate Finance group, before moving to Visy, one of the world’s largest privately-owned packaging companies.
Leigh has extensive experience in financial analysis and reporting across a range of areas, including financial modelling, investor reporting, valuations, acquisition support, budgeting and project feasibility assessment.
Professional qualifications:
CA, Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ)
Fellow, Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FINSIA)
Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance and Investment, FINSIA
Bachelor of Commerce (with Distinction)
My ideal Friday involves going out for dinner and a drink with Dianna and the kids, spending some time with our dog Bailey and watching a movie with D & the kids.
Senior Consultant
Natalie RyanIdeal Friday:
Fridays for me are a chance to slow down as I head into the weekend. My ideal Friday would include some ”me” pamper time – perhaps a massage followed by lunch with friends and catch-ups in the schoolyard.
Senior Accountant
Vanessa MarshallIdeal Friday:
My ideal Friday starts with coffee, ends with wine and has lots of space in between for slowing down and enjoying the outdoors.
Accountant
Aurelie ParlettaIdeal Friday:
My ideal Friday is to make sure I ticked everything I planned to do for work & also include some professional development hours as I love learning in general. In the evening, I love spending time with my daughter, my husband and my dog.
Accountant
Cathy MaioranoIdeal Friday:
Friday for me has always been about family and friends. The day could begin with a coffee catch-up with friends, then lunch with Mum and Dad, followed by a little bit of me time before school pick-up. When I do finally make it home, it’s relaxation time with my husband and son before our crazy weekend begins.
Finance Assistant
Karlee CairnsIdeal Friday:
My ideal Friday is playing cardio tennis in the morning, meeting my friends for knock off drinks in the afternoon. In the evening, it's family movie night.
Finance Assistant
Gaby FatoneIdeal Friday:
My ideal Friday involves a big sleep in and binging one of my favourite TV shows. After this, I’ll prepare some cocktails for the girls and myself before we head out to see one of our favourite bands play.
Finance Assistant
Kate GemmellIdeal Friday:
Let’s just say there isn’t a laptop, calculator or spreadsheet in sight.
Finance Assistant
Emily LingIdeal Friday:
My ideal Friday would start with a hearty breakfast, some self-pampering time after work and having some quality time with family. Then watching a nice movie or playing family games.
Finance Assistant
Chrisi TheodorouIdeal Friday:
My ideal Friday includes a long brunch with my husband, a latte (or 3) and the newspaper. In the afternoon, I would pick up the girls from school, take our dog Harry for a walk, get takeout for dinner and watch a movie at home.