HESTER GOODCHILD
Professional Accountant
Middelburg
Summary
Dynamic Professional Accountant with extensive experience at Lucro Accountants, specializing in tax preparation and accounts receivable management. Proven track record of enhancing financial reporting accuracy and optimizing cash flow. Strong leadership skills foster collaboration and drive team productivity, ensuring compliance and delivering insightful financial models for strategic decision-making.
Diligent accountant with solid background in accounting principles and practices. Proven track record of managing financial records and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, contributing to overall financial health of organization. Demonstrated analytical skills and attention to detail in preparing accurate financial reports and reconciling accounts.
Accounting professional prepared to bring extensive expertise in financial analysis and reporting to new role. Recognized for delivering accurate financial records and contributing to strategic financial planning. Known for strong team collaboration and adaptability to changing needs, ensuring reliability and goal achievement.
Experienced with financial reporting, budget management, and regulatory compliance. Utilizes these skills to maintain accurate financial records and support strategic decision-making. Track record of collaborating with teams to achieve financial objectives and ensure seamless operations.
Professional accountant skilled in financial analysis, budgeting, and compliance. Strong emphasis on team collaboration and adaptability to changing needs. Expertise in auditing, tax preparation, and financial reporting, ensuring accuracy and efficiency. Known for reliability and unwavering focus on achieving results.
Knowledgeable Accountant proficient in laws and procedures governing business operations, tax filings and regulatory compliance. Handles detail-oriented work in methodical and organized fashion. Leverages field expertise, resourcefulness and diligence to make positive impact on business operations.
Detail-oriented Accountant with 30 years effectively maintaining accurate accounting information for large-scale financial organizations. History working as part of financial team to manage diverse financial functions, tax management and reporting. Works closely with executive management on complex mergers and acquisitions and divestitures.
Adept at managing budgets, payroll, invoicing and general accounting functions. Instrumental in keeping business operations fully compliant and working within budgetary guidelines.
Overview
42
42
years of professional experience
3
3
Certificates
Work History
Professional Accountant
Lucro Accountants
01.1995 - Current
- Spearheaded internal audit reviews, identifying areas for improvement and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Optimized working capital management strategies by regular monitoring of inventory levels, accounts receivable collections, and payment terms negotiation with suppliers.
- Ensured timely completion of month-end closing activities, resulting in consistently accurate financial reports.
- Enhanced financial reporting accuracy by implementing streamlined accounting processes and procedures.
- Developed financial models for various business scenarios, providing valuable insights for executive decision-making purposes.
- Provided expert guidance to colleagues on complex accounting matters, fostering a collaborative learning environment within the team.
- Managed accounts payable and receivable operations, maintaining optimal cash flow levels while minimizing risk exposure.
- Implemented automated solutions for routine accounting tasks, increasing team productivity and improving data quality standards.
- Designed customized financial reports using advanced Excel functions to provide meaningful information for internal stakeholders.
- Conducted detailed variance analyses between actual results and budget expectations, identifying trends and potential issues requiring management attention.
- Reduced discrepancies in financial statements through thorough review and analysis of account balances and transactions.
- Reviewed fixed asset schedules regularly to ensure proper depreciation calculations were applied as per applicable accounting standards.
- Identified process improvement opportunities by evaluating existing accounting procedures and recommending enhancements.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop cost-saving initiatives and improve overall operational efficiency.
- Stayed abreast with latest updates in accounting standards by attending professional development seminarswebinars.
- Maintained strong relationships with external auditors, facilitating efficient auditing processes and addressing any concerns promptly.
- Prepared comprehensive budget forecasts for management approval, assisting in strategic decision-making processes.
- Streamlined tax preparation processes, reducing errors and ensuring timely submission of all required documentation.
- Contributed to the development of annual financial plans, utilizing historical data and industry benchmarks to establish realistic targets.
- Assisted in due diligence efforts during mergers and acquisitions projects, contributing to smooth transitions and successful integrations.
- Handled day-to-day accounting processes to drive financial accuracy.
- Documented cash, credit, fixed assets, accrued expenses, and line of credit transactions.
- Reconciled accounts and reviewed expense data, net worth, and assets.
- Gathered financial information, prepared documents, and closed books.
- Completed daily cash functions like account tracking, payroll and wage allocations, budgeting, donating, and cash, and banking reconciliations.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge on professional accounting standards to manage financial recordkeeping.
- Used advanced software to prepare documents, reports, and presentations.
- Detected and corrected mistakes early on and implemented systems to avoid recurring issues.
- Prepared and filed tax forms to meet needs of customers.
- Prepared working papers, reports and supporting documentation for audit findings.
- Provided journal entries and performed accounting on accrual basis.
- Collected and reported monthly expense variances and explanations.
- Tracked funds, prepared deposits and reconciled accounts.
- Maintained integrity of general ledger and chart of accounts.
- Compiled general ledger entries on short schedule with 100% accuracy.
- Used accounting software to issue tax returns and prepare consolidated reports.
- Reviewed accounts, resolved coding areas, and tracked recurring expenses for accrual entry.
- Trained new employees on accounting principles and company procedures.
- Cooperated with senior leaders to create operating budgets and initiate financial planning.
- Diminished outstanding debts by analyzing accounts for issues.
- Developed financial models to assess and analyze financial performance of clients.
- Found tax solutions to complicated tax issues or errors from incorrect tax filings.
- Identified legal tax savings and recommended ways to improve profits.
- Collaborated with accounting manager to comply with governing bodies and limit regulatory risks.
- Initiated comprehensive account assessments to check viability, stability, and profitability of business operations.
- Kept up-to-date with tax changes and industry trends by participating in professional organizations, opportunities, and networks.
Accounting Assistant
Burger & Buurman
01.1984 - 12.1994
- Processed payments and documents such as invoices, journal vouchers, employee reimbursements, and statements.
- Assisted in the preparation of monthly financial statements for timely and accurate reporting to management.
- Maintained strict confidentiality of sensitive financial data, protecting company integrity and privacy rights of individuals involved.
- Facilitated smooth financial audits by maintaining organized records and providing necessary documentation to auditors.
- Improved cash flow management by closely monitoring accounts receivable, ensuring prompt collection of outstanding balances.
- Managed high-volume invoice processing tasks while consistently meeting tight deadlines for vendor payments.
- Processed credit card payments and reconciled credit card statements for accuracy in accounting process.
- Expedited invoice processing with effective communication between internal departments and external vendors.
- Reduced errors in account reconciliation through meticulous attention to detail and thorough review of transactions.
- Collaborated with team members on special projects, contributing valuable insights and problem-solving skills.
- Streamlined accounts receivable processes, improving cash flow with timely billing and collection efforts.
- Supported financial strategy development with comprehensive market research and analysis.
- Facilitated smoother audits by preparing necessary documentation and supporting materials.
- Enhanced accuracy of financial reports by meticulously reviewing and reconciling accounts.
- Ensured compliance with regulatory standards by keeping up-to-date with changes in financial law and guidelines.
- Supported budget planning and forecasting with detailed analysis and data compilation.
- Managed accounts payable and receivable, ensuring timely processing of invoices and payments.
- Assisted in tax preparation, ensuring accurate and compliant submissions.
- Recorded deposits, reconciled monthly bank accounts and tracked expenses.
- Inspected account books and recorded transactions.
- Matched purchase orders with invoices and recorded necessary information.
- Presented audit findings to accounting manager after reviewing results and paperwork.
- Reduced financial discrepancies, effectively reconciling bank accounts and organizing information into accounting software.
Education
Kandidaat Waardeerder
SA Raad Vir Waardeerders
12-2003
Forensic Accounting - Program in Forensic Accounting
University of Pretoria
Pretoria 04.2001 -
Certificate in Estate Planning
University of Pretoria
Pretoria12-1999
BCompt Hon - Audting And Accounting
Unisa
Pretoria 04.2001 -
Skills
Bank reconciliation
Certification
CPA - Certified Public Accountant
Timeline
CPA - Certified Public Accountant
01-2025
Forensic Accounting - Program in Forensic Accounting
University of Pretoria
04.2001 -
BCompt Hon - Audting And Accounting
Unisa
04.2001 -
Professional Accountant
Lucro Accountants
01.1995 - Current
Accounting Assistant
Burger & Buurman
01.1984 - 12.1994
Kandidaat Waardeerder
SA Raad Vir Waardeerders
Certificate in Estate Planning
University of Pretoria
Similar Profiles
Iliana Flores HidalgoIliana Flores Hidalgo
Voluntariado En Projectos De Bienes Raíces at Organización Sin Fines De LucroVoluntariado En Projectos De Bienes Raíces at Organización Sin Fines De Lucro
Niraj DwivediNiraj Dwivedi
Team Leader at Kirtane & Pandit LLP, Chartered AccountantsTeam Leader at Kirtane & Pandit LLP, Chartered Accountants
ASHORE AVASHORE AV
Accountant at Sanjay Kadel and co. Chartered AccountantsAccountant at Sanjay Kadel and co. Chartered Accountants
Juanita GreeffJuanita Greeff
Senior Workshop Administrator at Comotrans / CCTSenior Workshop Administrator at Comotrans / CCT
Dineo Kubjane MashaDineo Kubjane Masha
Complex Management Assistant at Glencore Coal SA, Tweefontein ComplexComplex Management Assistant at Glencore Coal SA, Tweefontein Complex