Hi, I’m
Petra Pillay
CIMA Management Accountant
Cape Town
Summary
Experienced leader prepared for role of Managing Director. Proven track record in driving business growth and strategic planning. Strong focus on team collaboration and achieving results, adaptable to changing needs. Skilled in financial management, operational excellence, and stakeholder engagement, with reputation for reliability and effective leadership.
Overview
2
Languages
20
years of professional experience
Work History
PGF Financial Services
Managing Director
10.2016 - Current
Job overview
- Managed a portfolio of clients, providing accounting, bookkeeping, taxation, payroll, and compliance services.
- Prepared annual financial statements, management accounts, budgets, cash flow forecasts, and financial projections.
- Processed VAT, PAYE, Income Tax, and Provisional Tax returns and ensured statutory compliance.
- Assisted clients with company registrations, CIPC compliance, SARS registrations, and regulatory submissions.
- Prepared business plans, funding proposals, company profiles, and supporting financial documentation for loan and grant applications.
- Assisted clients in securing business funding by preparing financial information and liaising with funding institutions.
- Provided financial advisory services, tax planning, budgeting, and strategic business support to SMEs.
- Managed client relationships, business operations, and project delivery while maintaining high service standards.
National Association of Child Care Workers (NACCW)
Assistant Accountant
03.2017 - 09.2017
Job overview
- Assisted with the financial management of donor-funded projects and grant programmes.
- Prepared donor financial reports, budgets, reconciliations, and supporting schedules.
- Processed accounts payable, accounts receivable, journals, and bank reconciliations.
- Assisted with the preparation of monthly management accounts and annual financial statements.
- Monitored project expenditure to ensure compliance with donor agreements and organisational policies.
- Processed payroll and maintained accurate financial and employee records.
- Assisted with audits by preparing schedules and supporting documentation.
- Managed VAT reconciliations, statutory submissions, and fixed asset records.
- Supported budget planning, cash flow management, and financial reporting for programme managers.
Aveng Grinaker LTA
Accounts Payable Accountant
10.2016 - 03.2017
Job overview
- Processed high-volume supplier and subcontractor invoices for construction projects.
- Matched invoices to purchase orders, goods received notes (GRNs), and contract documentation.
- Prepared supplier and subcontractor payment runs, including retention and progress payments.
- Reconciled supplier statements and resolved invoice discrepancies.
- Performed creditor reconciliations, journal entries, and month-end accounts payable close processes.
- Assisted with project cost allocation, cost reporting, and cash flow management.
- Ensured compliance with company financial policies, contract terms, and internal controls.
- Supported internal and external audits by preparing reconciliations and supporting documentation.
- Liaised with project managers, procurement teams, quantity surveyors, and suppliers to resolve payment queries.
Graham Beck Enterprises (Pty) Ltd
Accounts Payable Clerk
10.2015 - 08.2016
Job overview
- Processed supplier invoices and ensured timely and accurate payments.
- Reconciled supplier statements and resolved account discrepancies.
- Matched invoices to purchase orders and delivery notes.
- Prepared creditor payment runs and maintained accounts payable records.
- Processed journals and assisted with month-end creditor reconciliations.
- Liaised with suppliers and internal departments to resolve invoice and payment queries.
- Maintained accurate financial records and ensured compliance with company policies.
- Assisted with audit preparations and filing of financial documentation.
South African College of Business
Bookkeeper
08.2014 - 02.2015
Job overview
- Managed student accounts, including invoicing, receipting, and account reconciliations.
- Processed bursary payments and maintained accurate student financial records.
- Followed up on outstanding student fees and negotiated payment arrangements.
- Liaised with students, sponsors, and funding institutions regarding account queries and payments.
- Allocated payments and reconciled student accounts.
- Prepared financial reports and maintained accurate documentation.
- Assisted with month-end financial processes and general finance administration.
- Ensured compliance with organisational financial policies and procedures.
CTI Education Group
Financial Administrator
01.2014 - 06.2014
Job overview
- Managed student accounts, including tuition invoicing, receipting, and account reconciliations.
- Processed bursary, scholarship, and sponsor funding, ensuring accurate allocation of payments.
- Followed up on outstanding tuition fees and negotiated payment arrangements with students.
- Liaised with students, parents, sponsors, and funding institutions to resolve account queries.
- Monitored student account balances and maintained accurate financial records.
- Prepared financial reports and reconciliations for management.
- Ensured compliance with institutional policies and financial procedures.
- Provided administrative support for student registrations and financial clearance processes.
Avis Rent-A-Car
Rental Sales Agent
10.2011 - 11.2013
Job overview
- Assisted customers with vehicle rentals, reservations, and returns.
- Promoted and upsold rental products, insurance, and value-added services to achieve sales targets.
- Prepared rental agreements and ensured accurate processing of customer documentation.
- Conducted vehicle inspections before and after rentals, recording any damages.
- Managed customer queries, complaints, and booking amendments professionally.
- Processed payments, refunds, and daily cash reconciliations.
- Coordinated vehicle availability with the operations team to ensure efficient fleet utilization.
- Maintained high standards of customer service while ensuring compliance with company policies and procedures.
Standard Bank Group
Customer Service Consultant
02.2006 - 08.2011
Job overview
- Assisted clients with day-to-day banking queries, account services, and product information.
- Processed account updates, transactions, deposits, withdrawals, and service requests.
- Resolved customer complaints and escalated complex issues where necessary.
- Educated clients on banking products, digital banking platforms, and self-service channels.
- Ensured compliance with banking regulations, policies, and KYC requirements.
- Handled cash transactions and performed daily balancing and reconciliation of tills.
- Maintained accurate customer records and ensured high levels of service delivery.
- Supported sales by identifying customer needs and cross-selling appropriate banking products.
Education
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)Durban, South Africa
Management Level (CIMA Professional Qualification) from Management Accounting
04.2001
College of Cape TownCape Town, WC
Diploma from Business Management
01-2005
Parkdene SeniorGeorge
Matric (Senior Certificate) from School
01-2003
Skills
Business development
Negotiation
Client relationships
Client Advisory & Relationship Management
Partnership development
Affiliations
- SAICA AT(SA) – Associate Accounting Technician, South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (Membership Number: 30747775)
- CIMA – Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (Member ID: 990225375)
- SAICA – Tax Practitioner (PR-0111968)
Timeline
Assistant Accountant
National Association of Child Care Workers (NACCW)
03.2017 - 09.2017
Managing Director
PGF Financial Services
10.2016 - Current
Accounts Payable Accountant
Aveng Grinaker LTA
10.2016 - 03.2017
Accounts Payable Clerk
Graham Beck Enterprises (Pty) Ltd
10.2015 - 08.2016
Bookkeeper
South African College of Business
08.2014 - 02.2015
Financial Administrator
CTI Education Group
01.2014 - 06.2014
Rental Sales Agent
Avis Rent-A-Car
10.2011 - 11.2013
Customer Service Consultant
Standard Bank Group
02.2006 - 08.2011
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
Management Level (CIMA Professional Qualification) from Management Accounting
04.2001
Parkdene Senior
Matric (Senior Certificate) from School
College of Cape Town
Diploma from Business Management