Prof Nava Subramaniam

Prof Nava Subramaniam

Nava Subramaniam is a Professor and Head of Accounting Discipline in the School of Accounting, Economics and Finance of Deakin University.

She is a member of CPA Australia, the Institute of Certified Management Accountants (ICMA) and the Institute of Internal Auditors.

She has previously worked as an accountant in Touche Ross chartered accounting firm, Rabtrad Pty Ltd. and Bladon Australia.

Nava has been a recipient of two large Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage grants partnering with various industry organisations such as the Institute of Internal Auditors, ACCA, the Queensland Department of Main Roads and the Roads Transport Authority in New South Wales in conjunction with nationally recognised researchers from University of Melbourne, Monash University and Griffith University. Her research examines corporate governance structures and processes in the public sector using knowledge management framework, as well as risk management of climate change in the carbon intensive sector.

Nava is regularly invited to speak at various accounting research conferences and professional seminars internationally and nationally.

In her own words

On what attracted her to the profession of management accounting…

“The ability to have real influence; knowing that your advice will help build the company. As a management accountant you work hand-in-glove with the managers of a business, providing them with both the numbers and assessment of other forward leading indicators to help them set the course for the future – the financial world’s equivalent of being an architect and of designing a house to stand strong in all future conditions.”

On management accountants in this post GFC world…

“Management accountants have become more important with the downturn in the global economy. Companies are now more frugal and cost conscious and as a result there is a greater focus on efficiency and on assessing all of the risks to a business, across operations and having a whole-of-company plan to manage these risks and continue to grow.”

On the future of the profession…

“Risk, uncertainty and sustainability – the management of these are particularly important in today’s
changed world and management accountants are uniquely placed within an organisation to critically
assess the challenges ahead and provide advice to management on the best way forward.”

Nava Subramaniam 

Professor and Head of Accounting
Discipline in the School of
Accounting, Economics and
Finance of Deakin University.

About Prof Janek Ratnatunga 1129 Articles
Professor Janek Ratnatunga is CEO of the Institute of Certified Management Accountants. He has held appointments at the University of Melbourne, Monash University and the Australian National University in Australia; and the Universities of Washington, Richmond and Rhode Island in the USA. Prior to his academic career he worked with KPMG.