Functional Skills
Customer Service
Project Management
Accounting
Budgeting
Benchmarking
Accounts Payable
Regulatory Compliance
Risk Management
Private Equity Investing
Finance Transformation
Service Delivery
Operations Management
Forecasting / Projections
Sales Strategy
Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)
Software Skills
SAP CRM
Microsoft Excel
Certifications
CGMAChartered Global Management Accountant
Sector Experience
Consumer Goods
Financial Services
Industrials
Manufacturing
Transportation & Logistics
Big 4 Accounting
Top Consulting Firms
Experience
The Core Group
Finance
CFO, Shared Services
4/2022 - Present
Consumer electronics distributor - primary product Apple - retailer with 43 Apple Premium Reseller retail stores.
Led the Finance Shared Services Finance function, overseeing operations, driving strategic financial initiatives, and continuing the transitioning all finance functions into the Shared Services model. Managed Group (finance) Accounts function with Accounting, Accounts Payable, Reporting, Cashbook and Bank teams reporting in. Reviewed annual tax returns, monthly value-added tax returns, and provisional tax returns.
Managed Group-wide insurance program, including insurance renewal negotiations and implementing risk mitigations to decrease insurance premiums. Primary contact for auditors, overseeing annual audits and compiling audited financial statements per IFRS. Reviewed and approved credit applications for new customers. Key Contributions:
• Designed and implemented an improved cash flow management tool that resulted in a 30-hour monthly reduction in time spent producin
Led the Finance Shared Services Finance function, overseeing operations, driving strategic financial initiatives, and continuing the transitioning all finance functions into the Shared Services model. Managed Group (finance) Accounts function with Accounting, Accounts Payable, Reporting, Cashbook and Bank teams reporting in. Reviewed annual tax returns, monthly value-added tax returns, and provisional tax returns.
Managed Group-wide insurance program, including insurance renewal negotiations and implementing risk mitigations to decrease insurance premiums. Primary contact for auditors, overseeing annual audits and compiling audited financial statements per IFRS. Reviewed and approved credit applications for new customers. Key Contributions:
• Designed and implemented an improved cash flow management tool that resulted in a 30-hour monthly reduction in time spent producin
ADVTECH GROUP
Finance
Finance Lead, Group Shared
3/2018 - 3/2022
Africa's leading private education and resourcing provider, employing >8K employees with R5.5B turnover.
Led implementation of Shared Services function for Finance, building relationships with internal Brand MDs and CFOs to establish / maintain the team as a trusted partner. Reported to Shared Services Executive with 5 direct and 50 indirect reports. Recruited c. 50 people to create new team and developed, coached, and managed performance throughout continuous change.
Key Contributions:
• Led the implementation of a centralized Finance Shared Services function for the Schools' division, streamlining transactional processes and replacing individual financial administrators across 85 schools.
• Improved control environment by implementing controls and designed / documented SOPs.
• Established reporting framework on performance, designed and implemented operational reporting to provide key insights into driving continuous improvements, and established KPIs from scratch.
• Improved f
Led implementation of Shared Services function for Finance, building relationships with internal Brand MDs and CFOs to establish / maintain the team as a trusted partner. Reported to Shared Services Executive with 5 direct and 50 indirect reports. Recruited c. 50 people to create new team and developed, coached, and managed performance throughout continuous change.
Key Contributions:
• Led the implementation of a centralized Finance Shared Services function for the Schools' division, streamlining transactional processes and replacing individual financial administrators across 85 schools.
• Improved control environment by implementing controls and designed / documented SOPs.
• Established reporting framework on performance, designed and implemented operational reporting to provide key insights into driving continuous improvements, and established KPIs from scratch.
• Improved f
IDWALA INDUSTRIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED
Finance
Head of Finance, Shared Services
9/2012 - 3/2018
Market-leading mineral producer / supplier employing 800 staff and with a R1.6B+ turnover.
Established and managed Shared Services function for Finance leading a team of 24 reporting to the CFO. Liaised with clients, and assisted Sales team with financial aspects of the business. Member of Management Committee / attendee of Audit and Risk Committee and Chairperson of Idwala Provident fund (value R400M). Engaged regularly with private equity shareholders, providing operational reports / feedback during audit committee meetings, and insights from annual financial statement and shareholder exit project. Oversaw Treasury function dealing with banks on interest rate swap agreements, cash management, forward exchange contracts, and foreign exchange options. Presented hedging options and models to Treasury Sub Committee.
Key Contributions:
• Reduced headcount from 33 to 24 by optimizing processes and implementing new systems.
• Assessed finance function against similar operations in paral
Established and managed Shared Services function for Finance leading a team of 24 reporting to the CFO. Liaised with clients, and assisted Sales team with financial aspects of the business. Member of Management Committee / attendee of Audit and Risk Committee and Chairperson of Idwala Provident fund (value R400M). Engaged regularly with private equity shareholders, providing operational reports / feedback during audit committee meetings, and insights from annual financial statement and shareholder exit project. Oversaw Treasury function dealing with banks on interest rate swap agreements, cash management, forward exchange contracts, and foreign exchange options. Presented hedging options and models to Treasury Sub Committee.
Key Contributions:
• Reduced headcount from 33 to 24 by optimizing processes and implementing new systems.
• Assessed finance function against similar operations in paral
Tsusho Capital Services
Finance
Head of Finance
8/2010 - 1/2012
Start-up African leasing business of Japanese-owned Toyota Tsusho Corporation.
Led a team of 3 and reported directly to the Managing Director. Hired to run Finance and provide a Shared Service function for the operations of Tsusho Capital in Kenya, Mauritius, and a holding company in the UK. Also set up entities in other African countries.
● Key Contributions:
• Set up new financial processes for companies in South Africa, Kenya, and Mauritius.
• Built financial business models and plans for existing business to expand into African countries.
• Completed models on various interest rate scenarios and managed tax processes for all Group companies.
• Led Treasury function activities, including vanilla hedging on foreign exchange risks.
• Consolidated 3 African entities into a UK holding company.
● Additional Career History
Led a team of 3 and reported directly to the Managing Director. Hired to run Finance and provide a Shared Service function for the operations of Tsusho Capital in Kenya, Mauritius, and a holding company in the UK. Also set up entities in other African countries.
● Key Contributions:
• Set up new financial processes for companies in South Africa, Kenya, and Mauritius.
• Built financial business models and plans for existing business to expand into African countries.
• Completed models on various interest rate scenarios and managed tax processes for all Group companies.
• Led Treasury function activities, including vanilla hedging on foreign exchange risks.
• Consolidated 3 African entities into a UK holding company.
● Additional Career History
IP CAPITAL
Management Consulting
Senior Consultant
5/2010 - 7/2010
Consulted Harmony Gold Mines, Tsusho Capital Services
JP Morgan
Finance
Senior Associate
8/2006 - 2/2010
Equities product Control Group
UTI South Africa
Accounting
Financial Manager
5/2004 - 8/2006
Financial Manager for International Freight Forwarder
Deloitte (Tax Technologies)
Management Consulting
Senior Consultant
4/2003 - 5/2004
Consulted on Tax technology products
Deloitte
Finance
Audit Trainee
1/2000 - 10/2003
Audit trainee at Deloitte
Deloitte
Finance
Audit Senior: secondment
11/2002 - 3/2003
Audit Senior