Dennis Ly

DENNIS LY

- Financial Controller

Dennis joined Abound Communities in April 2012, overseeing finance and information systems. Dennis holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting/Banking and Finance) and is a member of the Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand. Dennis is passionate to utilise his experience at Abound Communities to develop creative ideas and strategies to enable the goal of providing a more sustainable model and affordable living for the elderly.

Dennis’s team consists of an Accountant (Grace), part-time payroll (Lina), part-time Account Payable (Christine), and part-time Accounts receivable (Madhavi who is currently on Maternity Leave and temporary backfilled by Leila). The team’s projects are Abound's projects, since they have involvement in every part of the organisation. This means they are constantly kept on their toes to adapt to every situation. It is a wonderful organisation to be part of.

Let's get to know Dennis better...

• What is your role at Abound Communities?
I am the Financial Controller.

• What drew you to working at Abound Communities originally?
Wanted to spend my time working for an organisation that had a meaningful purpose.

• What do you like most about your job?
The collaboration with the teams I work with and share the mindset to continually improve the way we operate.

• What would people never guess you do in your role?
Nothing out of the ordinary, but also not everything the role does involves financials. Work is like a giant puzzle, most of the time it is bringing components together, finding opportunities, fixing faults, supporting peers and making sure work is done with a little fun and kindness.

• What did you want to be when growing up?
As a child, I never really had any specific aspiration to become anything or like anyone. I’m more a ‘enjoy the journey’ kind of person.

• What is your motto or personal mantra?
Become better than I am and better than I’ll ever be.

• Where is your hometown?
Melbourne

• Three words to best describe you:
Patient, flexible and perceptive

• Tell us a fun fact about you.
In 2023, I finally discovered how to roller skate backwards, not perfectly but it’s a start.

• What do you like to do on your days off?
Explore ideas to cook a creative vegetarian meal for the family.

• What do you always want to try and never did?
Run a marathon. Still on my to do list.

• What is the one thing you cannot resist?
That would have to be a board game night at the dinner table with friends and family. Food wise, well-seasoned, cut and fried potato chips/fries.

• Where would you like to go on a dream vacation?
Anywhere that can draw some inspiration and perspective.

• What is the most important thing you have learned in the last five years?
Everyone is battling a challenge that I know nothing about.

• You’re happiest when?
The moment when I realise the effort put in was not for nothing.

If you have any questions regarding Finance at Abound Communities,
please contact Dennis on (03) 9433 1100 or via email; dennisl@aboundcommunities.org.au