Celeste Van Tonder
Financial Controller
Meyersdal,South Africa
Summary
Dedicated and results-driven Accountant with robust experience in financial reporting, tax reconciliation (VAT, PAYE, Income Tax), balance sheet reconciliation and process optimization. Proficient in systems including SAGE Accpac, Opera, Wanama, Onesource Tax and SARS eFiling. Proven ability to deliver accurate monthly recons, streamline revenue reporting, and support audit cycles. Recognized for leadership, technical skill, and a commitment to excellence. Passionate about delivering high-quality work, improving process efficiencies, and ensuring compliance within fast-paced finance environments.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
2
2
Languages
Work History
Financial Controller
Tsogo Sun – Gold Reef City Theme Park
Ormonde, Johannesburg
01.2024 - Current
- Management of payroll and financial accounting operations.
- Implement the financial operational plan and manage the financial accounting functions for the company (involves management of Financial Accountant, Assistant Accountant and Accounts Clerks)
- Maintain accurate records of company accounts in line with legal and unit office requirements
- Always ensure integrity of information
- Ensure easy access to financial history
- Monitor implementation of internal accounting and administrative controls and monitor to ensure all transactions are correctly handled
- Identify areas of internal financial risks and advise management
- Ensure timely and efficient processing of the monthly payroll.
- Review and approve all service provider payments relating to payroll.
- Ensure service providers are paid by no later than the last working day of the month.
- Prepare financial reports, constantly monitoring and reporting all deviations from budget
- Assist the Financial Manager in interpreting operating results as they affect the financial aspects of the unit and make specific recommendations that will result in cost reductions and profit improvement
- Co-ordinate the preparation of all reporting to SARS and seek directives in areas where tax legislation is not specific
- Receive inputs from departments and capture and ensure calculations are correct according to budget model
- Implement and monitor budgets and identify and report on deviations
- Manage the preparation of long range plans and budget requirements to ensure that departmental and corporate objectives are met
- Plan annual audits on unit level in conjunction with the auditors
- Co-ordinate audit requests in all business areas of the unit
- Monitor implementation of audit requests
- Ensure various special projects and analysis are completed
- Continually liaise with internal and external customers to understand their needs and enhance financial reporting and communication, as well as resolve financial queries and requests
- Identify service initiatives by conducting a needs analysis and identifying potential problem areas and possible solutions
- Communicate internal process improvement opportunities to management
- Create mechanisms to encourage innovation and creativity within functional areas
- Implement and monitor service delivery options in own department and implement relevant controls and measures
- Interview candidates according to company procedures and ensure most suitable candidates are employed
- Ensure performance contracts are in place for all staff
- Identify and formulate individual development plans, as well as succession and career path plans
- Identify and provide training, coaching and mentoring for subordinates
- Continually work to build team morale
- Liaise with HRD Practitioner to ensure completion of all HR administration
- Show empathy and demonstrate an ability to listen to staff effectively
- Provide counselling to rectify poor performance
- Obtain, analyse and promote the generation and sharing of knowledge within the department
- Refer to self-management under Accountant duties
Assistant Financial Controller
Tsogo Sun – Gold Reef City Theme Park
Ormonde, Johannesburg
01.2020 - 12.2023
- Review and approve Payroll.
- Review and approve monthly payroll of unit.
- Ensure timely and efficient processing of the monthly payroll.
- Review and approve all service provider payments relating to payroll.
- Ensure service providers are paid by no later than the last working day of the month.
- Implement the financial operational plan
- Manage the financial accounting functions with overall responsibility for maintaining an efficient accounting system.
- Prepare financial reports – constantly monitoring and reporting all deviations from budget
- Assist the Financial Manager and Financial Controller in interpreting results
- Be accountable for the correct and accurate accounting classification of all expenditures and documents
- Maintain accurate records of company accounts.
- Monitor implementation of all internal accounting and administrative controls to ensure all transactions are handled correctly
- Identify risk areas
- Receive input from the departments
- Capture and ensure calculations are correct
- Co-ordinate the preparation of SARS documentation and information as required
- Remain updated on SARS changes
- Seek directives in areas where tax legislation is not specific
- Plan annual audits on a unit level
- Co-ordinate audit requests
- Provide appropriate documentation accurately and promptly to internal and external customers, in accordance with policies and procedures
- Arrive at meetings promptly and respond to phone calls and emails politely and promptly
- Maintain an orderly working environment
- Keep Financial Controller informed of all decisions made and report to him/her daily
- Remain updated on developments in GAAP and SARS and attend training
- Share new knowledge learned
- Try and improve systems at work to maximize achievements
- Refer to self-management under Accountant duties
Accountant
Tsogo Sun – Gold Reef City Theme Park
Ormonde, Johannesburg
07.2018 - 12.2019
- • Analysis and reporting (including managing SARS requirements)
- • Management of financial expenditure, financial records and Accpac system
- • Co-ordination of audits
- • Administration of creditors payments
- • Assist with Budget preparation and reporting
- • Assist with Quarterly profit forecast preparation and reporting
- • Assist with Food and beverage reporting on COS for Pocatello outlets and Theme Park Hotel.
- • Team building and supervision of Finance staff
Accountant
Tsogo Sun – Garden Route Casino Mossel Bay
Mossel Bay
07.2003 - 06.2018
- • Analysis and reporting (including managing SARS requirements)
- • Management of financial expenditure, financial records and Accpac system
- • Co-ordination of audits
- • Administration of creditors payments
- • Administration and management of Assets Register
- • Administration and reporting of Garden Route Casino Community Trust (Financials)
- • Assist with Budget preparation and reporting including Payroll budgets
- • Assist with Quarterly profit forecast preparation and reporting
- • Payroll administration (Payments, reconciliations etc.)
- • Assist with Food and beverage reporting on COS
- • Team building and supervision of Finance staff
Education
Planning and Control for Food & Beverage Operations Program -
Tsogo Sun Training Academy
Internal Training 01.2017
Management Development Program -
University of Stellenbosch (USB Executive Development Ltd)
Cape Town01.2016
BCom - Financial Management
University of South-Africa
Pretoria01.2012
Business Writing Skills -
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
George Campus01.2012
Supervisory Skills Workshop -
Tsogo Sun Training Academy
Mossel Bay01.2009
Matric -
Hoërskool Goudrif
Germiston12.1988
Skills
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Interpersonal competence
- Planning, organizing and leading
- Information handling & Excellent Time Management skills
- Attention to detail
- Balance Sheet Reconciliations (Debtors/Creditors/Bank)
- Financial & Revenue Reporting (Monthly & Weekly)
- VAT, PAYE, and Income Tax Reconciliations
- SARS eFiling & Compliance
- Budgeting & Forecasting
- Audit Preparation & Support
Accomplishments
Successfully improved various processes in the Finance Department, including Accounts Payable, Hotel Finance processes, Debtors and filing systems.
Timeline
Financial Controller
Tsogo Sun – Gold Reef City Theme Park
01.2024 - Current
Assistant Financial Controller
Tsogo Sun – Gold Reef City Theme Park
01.2020 - 12.2023
Accountant
Tsogo Sun – Gold Reef City Theme Park
07.2018 - 12.2019
Accountant
Tsogo Sun – Garden Route Casino Mossel Bay
07.2003 - 06.2018
Planning and Control for Food & Beverage Operations Program -
Tsogo Sun Training Academy
Management Development Program -
University of Stellenbosch (USB Executive Development Ltd)
BCom - Financial Management
University of South-Africa
Business Writing Skills -
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
Supervisory Skills Workshop -
Tsogo Sun Training Academy
Matric -
Hoërskool Goudrif
References
References will be provided upon request.
Awards
Gradstar Top 500 - 2024, Gradstar Top 100 - 2024, Mckinsey Forward Program, Microsoft AI Fluency 2nd Position