Bridgette Lekalakala
Johannesburg
Summary
Experienced Financial Accountant with expertise in maintaining precise financial records and conducting internal audits. Proven ability to manage budget forecasts and enhance financial processes for improved efficiency. Strong analytical skills and comprehensive knowledge of accounting regulations contribute to effective financial reporting and compliance. Aiming to apply skills in a strategic finance position to drive organizational success.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Group management accountant
Primedia
03.2024 - Current
- Assisted in the preparation of the consolidated annual financial statements using Workiva, ensuring compliance with IFRS.
- Generated monthly flash reports through Cognos to present an overview of group performance for Group FM and the CFO.
- Compiled quarterly summaries utilizing management reports and the annual budget for CFO review and presentation.
- Developed comprehensive annual budgets and forecasts for the head office cost centre division.
- Developed three-month Excel cash forecasts for the head office cost centre, ensuring alignment of payments with cash projections.
- Evaluated divisional cash requests to ensure alignment with divisional cash forecasts submitted before authorizing the transfers on the Treasury Management System.
- Conducted monthly reviews of divisional results and raised queries on material movements between budget and actual figures.
- Analyzed head office cost centre's monthly trial balance and general ledger on SAGE for accuracy of data captured, and uploaded data transfer to Cognos for monthly reporting purposes.
- Compiled tax packs for head office cost centre, facilitating year-end and provisional tax compliance.
- Assisted with the year-end audit, upholding stringent audit standards.
Financial Accountant
Beyond Infradev (Pty) Ltd
05.2023 - 03.2024
- Executed migration from the Xero ERP system to Microsoft Dynamics 365.
- Compiled monthly management accounts, providing detailed variance analyses for the CEO and the COO to review.
- Performed ad-hoc cost analysis reports in response to CEO requests, enhancing strategic decision-making.
- Coordinated with a tax consultant to produce VAT, PAYE, and income tax filings for SARS.
- Reviewed EFT payments against legitimate supplier invoices, and prepared payment batches for authorisation by the CEO.
- Proactively managed and concluded audit queries, ensuring financial integrity throughout year-end audits.
Senior Trainee Accountant
BDO
02.2020 - 01.2023
- Evaluated client financial statements to guarantee compliance with IFRS standards.
- Performed financial analyses on income statements and balance sheets to gain an understanding of the client's business and identify abnormal variances in yearly movements.
- Coached junior auditors, evaluating audit working papers to ensure quality audit execution.
- Evaluated management-prepared budgets, assessing their coherence with prevailing economic conditions, and verifying their accuracy.
- Analyzed and recalculated client tax computations, including income, deferred tax, and VAT, to confirm accuracy and statutory compliance.
Junior Bookkeeper
IMCD South Africa
07.2018 - 01.2020
- Reconciled head office bank accounts, along with credit card and petty cash accounts, ensuring precision and integrity of financial data.
- Processed and allocated monthly fuel card, vehicle fleet, credit card, and mobile phone expenses to appropriate general ledger accounts in PeopleSoft.
- Performed thorough reviews of general ledger entries to ensure accuracy and prevent material discrepancies.
- Validated EFT payments against authentic supplier invoices and organized payment batches for authorization by the accountant and financial director.
Education
PGDA - Post Graduate Diploma Applied Accounting Sciences
UNISA
12-2019
Adv Dip - Advanced Diploma Applied Accounting Sciences
UNISA
06.2016
BAccSci - Bachelor of Accounting Sciences
Wits University
01.2011
Skills
- Financial Analysis
- Problem Solving
- Budgeting and Forecasting
- Critical Thinking
- Financial Statement preparation & IFRS
- Adaptability to Change
- Team Work and Collaboration
Certification
Chartered Accountant
Timeline
Group management accountant
Primedia
03.2024 - Current
Financial Accountant
Beyond Infradev (Pty) Ltd
05.2023 - 03.2024
Senior Trainee Accountant
BDO
02.2020 - 01.2023
Junior Bookkeeper
IMCD South Africa
07.2018 - 01.2020
PGDA - Post Graduate Diploma Applied Accounting Sciences
UNISA
Adv Dip - Advanced Diploma Applied Accounting Sciences
UNISA
BAccSci - Bachelor of Accounting Sciences
Wits University