Northern Territory Auditor‑General's Office

Auditing for Parliament

 

 

NTAGO Staff

Natalie Scott
Principal Auditor

Natalie first joined the Office in mid-2012 with a primary focus on performance management system audits, before moving interstate in January 2018. She relocated home to the Territory in late 2023, before returning to the Office in September 2024.

Natalie was instrumental in building the early performance management system audit frameworks for the Office, in conjunction with the Auditor-General, upskilling and developing Authorised Auditors to undertake these types of audits, and ensuring the frameworks were available for access by the public sector through their publishing on the Office’s website.

With her return to the Office, Natalie will be focused on delivery of financial statement and compliance audits across the agencies of the public sector along with fellow Principal Auditor Sue Cooper, and be responsible for delivery of performance management system audits as resourcing permits.

Natalie has experience working as a Chief Financial Officer and General Secretary in the not-for-profit sector and has held a number of senior roles within the Northern Territory Government, including the former Department of Planning and Infrastructure, and the Department of Treasury and Finance. She has also been seconded to Charles Darwin University three times in her career in financial roles.

Natalie’s previous auditing experience comes from her time with an international professional services firm, working with a wide range of clients, where she was responsible for undertaking and managing complex financial statement audits, consultancy engagements, internal audits and performance management system audits.

Natalie is a Fellow with CPA Australia and has previously served as Deputy President of the Northern Territory Branch Council of CPA Australia and represented the Northern Territory on CPA Australia’s Public Sector Network.

Natalie's qualifications include:

• Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Management, Flinders University
• Fellow, Certified Practising Accountant, CPA Australia
• Bachelor of Business (Accounting), Avondale College

 

 

Sue Cooper
Principal Auditor

Sue Cooper was appointed on contract as a Principal Auditor in 2004. Sue is a Chartered Accountant and was previously a senior audit manager for an international professional services firm.

During her time with the Office, Sue has been responsible for the delivery of financial statement and compliance audits across the agencies of the public sector and has been instrumental in developing and implementing the Office's core audit monitoring and reporting system "AudTas". This application has been developed in-house by Sue who is responsible for its maintenance and upkeep.

Sue is also the administrator of the Office's website. Sue has primary responsibility for developing the three-year audit plan in conjuction with the Auditor-General and Principal Auditor Stacey Kelly and has implemented extensive reporting and communication tools to increase efficiencies associated with the systems within the Office that support audit activity. Sue's focus on innovation and technology have enabled the Office to undertake a range of data analytic tasks to support the audit mandate. Sue's qualifications include:

• Member, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand
• Bachelor of Commerce (With Distinction), University of Southern Queensland

 

 

Cindy Nielsen
Manager Finance and Corporate Services

Cindy Nielsen commenced with the Office in January 2024. Cindy has worked for the Northern Territory Government for a number of years in various roles across Asset Management, Finance and Business Services within the Department of Education and Department of Corporate and Digital Development.

Cindy manages the Corporate and Governance output group of the Office which involves a broad range of functions including financial management, human resources, procurement, information and communications technology, records management, governance and risk management. Cindy is primarily responsible for the preparation of the Office's budget, financial statements and annual report, coordination of the independent external audit of the Office's financial statements and providing supervision and support to the Administration Officer.

Cindy's qualifications include:

• Bachelor of Accounting, Charles Darwin University

 

 

Juliette Chenais
Administration Officer

Juliette Chenais first joined the Office in June 2022, after taking time off, she has returned from maternity leave in July 2024. Prior to joining the Auditor General’s office, Juliette worked in a variety of private and public sectors, in administrative and tourism roles.

Beyond her responsibility with providing administrative support to all personnel in the Office and assisting the Manager Finance and Corporate Services with finance and corporate services tasks, Juliette provides support with electronic and manual records relating to audits and the Office. Since joining the Office, Juliette has been involved with the updates to the Office Manual and the Records Management Manual.

Juliette is currently undergoing in-house training and providing assistance in the preparation of policy and procedural documents. In addition, Juliette is training to become the First Aid officer for the Agency.

Juliette's qualifications include:

• Certificate IV in Travel and Tourism

 

 

Organisational Chart



The Organisation chart for the office is also available for download as a PDF -Downloadable Organisation Chart.