Christopher Olivier
Finance Prefessional
Durbanville
Summary
Experienced Finance Executive with proven track record of establishing cross-functional partnerships to deliver stellar results for all stakeholders. Agile strategic leader driving financial functions and various other operational functions together with the Exco team. Action-oriented leader with a strong track record of performance in FMCG/ Manufacturing/ Farming industry. Utilize keen analysis, insights and team approach to drive organizational improvements and implementation of best practices. Superior interpersonal skills, capable of resolving multiple and complex (sales, human resources, legal, financial, operational) issues and motivating staff to peak performance. Progressive executive leader and operational strategist with rapid career progression and record of sound financial guidance in complex settings demanding keen business acumen. My exposure as Head of Finance ranged from an unlisted entrepreneurial company with a turnover of around R1bn to a Division of a listed company with a turnover in excess of R4bn.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
2
2
Languages
Work History
Financial Manager (Head of Finance)
County Fair A Division Of Astral Operations Limite
12.2019 - Current
- Delegated Role: Acting COO when on leave
- Managing Finance, Procurement and IT departments
- Business efficiency analysis
- Driving ongoing cost saving and continuous improvement initiatives
- Monthly and weekly financial reporting and forecasting
- Cash flow and budget management
- Develop, improve and maintain best practice internal control systems
- Develop financial and tax strategies
- Monitor and direct implementation and monitoring of strategic business plans
- Manage capital request and budgeting process
- Developing and implementing risk management strategies
- Working capital management such as stock, debtors and creditors
- Capex planning and execution
Chief Financial Officer
Lodestone Brands (Pty) Ltd
03.2015 - 11.2019
- Driving ongoing cost saving initiatives and continuous improvement projects
- Lead strategic negotiations, operations, equipment procurement for the business
- Manage Finance, HR and IT departments
- Member of Lodestone Brands (Pty) Ltd group BBBEE committee
- Monthly and weekly reporting to the board of directors and shareholders
- Cash flow and budget management
- Develop, improve and maintain reliable internal control systems
- Develop financial and tax strategies
- Monitor and direct the implementation and monitoring of strategic business plans
- Manage capital request and budgeting process
- Statutory & Treasury functions
- Developing and implementing Insurance and Risk management
- Attending Exco, Audit and Risk Committee and other related Finance and Operational meetings
- Oversee Stock controlling and Warehouse controlling functions
- Sourced funding for various captial projects, acquisitions and to support growth
- Providing and presenting internal training and induction for finance staff
- Manage Procurement & Demand planning function
- Mergers and acquisitions
Project Manager
Lodestone Brands (Pty) Ltd
03.2014 - 02.2015
- Reporting to CEO
- Monthly and weekly reporting to the board of directors
- Develop and maintain reliable internal control systems
- Attend Executive Management, Audit Committee and other related Finance meetings
- Oversee Stock controlling and Warehouse controlling functions
- Providing and presenting internal training for finance staff
- Working capital management
- Trademark registrations
- Statutory functions
- Insurance and Risk management
Audit Manager
Mahdi Meyer Steyn Chartered Accountants
08.2013 - 02.2014
- Reporting to Audit Partner(s)
- Managing various audit teams, providing advice and assisting in training staff under my supervision
- Planning, identifying risks and preparing budgets for audit engagements or potential clients
- Reviewing audit work performed by staff under my supervision
- Concluding audit engagements
- Preparing management reports on audit findings
- Managing audit team, providing advice and assisting in training staff
- Evaluating accounting systems with specific reference to internal controls and recommendation thereon
- Providing and presenting audit training for staff
- Preparing consolidated financial statements
Audit Manager
Rademeyer Wesson Chartered Accountants
01.2012 - 06.2013
- Reporting to Audit Partner(s)
- Managing various audit teams, providing advice and assisting in training staff under my supervision
- Planning, identifying risks and preparing budgets for audit engagements or potential clients
- Reviewing audit work performed by staff under my supervision
- Concluding audit engagements
- Preparing management reports on audit findings
- Managing audit team, providing advice and assisting in training staff under my supervision
- Evaluating accounting systems with specific reference to internal controls and recommendation thereon
- Providing and presenting audit training for staff
- Preparing consolidated financial statements
Trainee Accountant/Junior Manager
Rademeyer Wesson Chartered Accountants
01.2008 - 12.2011
- Reporting to Audit Manager or Audit Partner
- Managing of various audit teams, providing advice and assisting in training of staff
- Planning, executing, concluding and reporting on all aspects of audits.
- Preparing financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and IFRS for SME's, in CaseWare
- Preparing project management and time management (audit budgets)
- Reviewing audit work performed by staff under my supervision
- Concluding audit engagements
- Preparing management reports on audit findings
- Evaluating accounting systems with specific reference to internal controls and recommendation thereon
- Reviewing of financial information prepared for a German holding company in accordance with German GAAP
Education
Chartered Accountant (SA) - Finance
SAICA
South Africa 04.2001 -
Bachelor in Accounts Honours - Finance
University of South Africa
South Africa 04.2001 -
Bachelor of Accountancy - Finance
University of Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch, South Africa 04.2001 -
Matric (Grade 12) -
Martin Oosthuizen High School
Northern Cape, Kakamas 04.2001 -
Skills
References
On request
Industry Experience
- Manufacturing
- FMCG
- Agriculture
Timeline
Financial Manager (Head of Finance)
County Fair A Division Of Astral Operations Limite
12.2019 - Current
Chief Financial Officer
Lodestone Brands (Pty) Ltd
03.2015 - 11.2019
Project Manager
Lodestone Brands (Pty) Ltd
03.2014 - 02.2015
Audit Manager
Mahdi Meyer Steyn Chartered Accountants
08.2013 - 02.2014
Audit Manager
Rademeyer Wesson Chartered Accountants
01.2012 - 06.2013
Trainee Accountant/Junior Manager
Rademeyer Wesson Chartered Accountants
01.2008 - 12.2011
Chartered Accountant (SA) - Finance
SAICA
04.2001 -
Bachelor in Accounts Honours - Finance
University of South Africa
04.2001 -
Bachelor of Accountancy - Finance
University of Stellenbosch
04.2001 -
Matric (Grade 12) -
Martin Oosthuizen High School
04.2001 -
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