Munyaradzi Dera

• Lead the overall finance function and provide strategic financial guidance to executive management.
• Direct budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, and performance management processes across multiple business units.
• Prepare and present monthly, quarterly, and annual management reports to senior leadership.
• Oversee preparation and review of Annual Financial Statements in accordance with IFRS.
• Manage cash flow forecasting, liquidity planning, and working capital optimisation.
• Ensure compliance with South African tax legislation, statutory requirements, and corporate governance standards.
• Develop and strengthen internal control frameworks to safeguard company assets and minimise financial risk.
• Monitor financial performance and provide recommendations to improve profitability and operational efficiency.
• Conduct financial analysis, scenario modelling, and business case evaluations to support strategic decisions.
• Manage relationships with auditors, banks, regulators, and other external stakeholders.
• Drive finance process improvements through automation and system enhancements.
• Lead and mentor finance team members to achieve departmental objectives.

• Successfully guided business diversification strategy that reduced dependency on Eskom and increased private-sector revenue streams.
• Improved financial planning and project profitability through enhanced budgeting and forecasting processes.
• Strengthened financial governance and risk management frameworks across the organisation.

January 2016 – October 2021

• Managed financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting for major infrastructure and construction projects.
• Conducted project profitability analysis and variance reporting for executive decision-making.
• Developed project cash flow forecasts and funding requirements.
• Prepared cost estimates and financial models for large-scale tenders and contracts.
• Supported contract negotiations through financial analysis and commercial evaluations.
• Implemented cost control measures that improved project margins and operational efficiency.
• Collaborated with operational teams to monitor project performance and financial risks.
• Assisted in ERP implementation and process optimisation initiatives.
• Maintained robust financial controls and governance procedures.

• Played a key role in the successful implementation and adoption of SAP ERP systems.
• Managed financial oversight of major infrastructure projects including Eskom and Transnet projects.
• Contributed significantly to strategic growth and successful execution of large-scale contracts.

• Preparing cost reports, budgets, forecasts, and variance analyses.
• Prepared budgets and forecasts in collaboration with senior managers to align financial planning with strategic objectives.
• Making recommendations for corrective actions to ensure cost targets are met.
• Conducting complex analyses of costs for a significant part of the business to identify variances, suggest efficiencies, and increase profitability.
• Collaborated with department heads and management to create cost budgets, ensuring alignment with departmental goals and resource allocation.
• Developed and maintained internal controls to safeguard assets and mitigate financial risks, enhancing compliance and operational integrity.
• Interpretation of data for the purpose of determining past financial performance and forecast preparation by business unit and consolidation into personal lines.
• Management of project finances on mega projects such as Cardel Power Station, Matla Power Station and Transnet Projects.
• Played a pivotal role in making sure that the company adopted the use of ERP systems such as SAP in all its operations.
• Setting up JV partners with complementary capacities for tendering on Mega Projects.
• Instrumental in driving business strategy and overseeing successful implementation of projects.
• Working within established systems to deliver prescribed outcomes for a designated area of financial control.
• The business is a leading contractor in the construction of Mega Projects such as Eskom Power Stations, Powerlines, National Roads and Water Reticulation Systems.

• Prepared annual financial statements in accordance with IFRS and applicable accounting standards.
• Managed month-end and year-end financial reporting processes.
• Coordinated audit preparation and served as primary liaison with external auditors.
• Administered tax compliance, VAT submissions, payroll reporting, and statutory returns.
• Prepared management accounts, financial analyses, and business performance reports.
• Implemented and monitored internal controls and financial policies.
• Provided financial advisory services to SMEs and start-up businesses.
• Assisted clients with business registrations, governance structures, and compliance requirements.

• Contributed to the rapid growth of the business by recommending the expansion of service offerings to include payroll administration, tax compliance, statutory returns, and company secretarial services, resulting in increased revenue streams.
• Played a key role in acquiring and retaining SME clients through the delivery of high-quality financial advisory, accounting, and compliance services.
• Maintained a 100% record of timely preparation and submission of annual financial statements, tax returns, and statutory reports for clients.
• Successfully prepared audit files and financial statements that consistently resulted in clean audit outcomes and minimal audit adjustments.

• Providing financial analysis and insights to support strategic decision-making.
• Monitored actual performance against budgets, providing analysis and recommendations for corrective actions to enhance financial oversight.
• Developed cost control systems and strategies that identified areas for cost reduction and improved efficiency.
• Conducting cost analysis to determine the costs associated with producing goods or providing services.
• Assisting in evaluating investment proposals, pricing decisions, make-or-buy analysis, and other business initiatives.
• Developing and implementing performance measurement systems to assess the financial and operational performance of various business units.
• Implementing inventory control techniques to optimize inventory levels and minimize carrying costs.
• Monitoring and analyzing inventory levels, including valuation, obsolescence, and turnover.
• Sat on the board that oversaw the implementation of the international financial system providing key information to software developers to make sure the system is adopted to our needs.
• Entered contracts with government departments enabling provision of government services within branches, contributing to increased profits.
• Provided training and support to junior staff members that led to me being awarded employee of the year award.
• Described Zimposts' role as the premier provider of postal, communication, and financial services in Zimbabwe.

Key Responsibilities

• Processed supplier invoices and verified supporting documentation for accuracy and completeness.
• Assisted with accounts payable and accounts receivable functions.
• Performed bank, creditor, debtor, and general ledger reconciliations.
• Maintained accounting records and ensured proper filing of financial documentation.
• Assisted in the preparation of monthly management accounts and financial reports.
• Processed journal entries and maintained general ledger accounts.
• Assisted with month-end and year-end closing procedures.
• Monitored outstanding supplier accounts and resolved payment-related queries.
• Prepared payment vouchers and processed electronic payments.
• Assisted with payroll administration, salary reconciliations, and statutory deductions.
• Supported the preparation and submission of tax schedules and statutory returns.
• Maintained fixed asset records and assisted with asset verification exercises.
• Participated in budget preparation and expenditure monitoring activities.