Willem Cornelius Le Roux ACMA, CGMA, SAIPA

Commercial & Strategic Insights Forecasting, Reporting & Executive Engagement Notable Context

• Built the FP&A function from the ground up alongside the Finance Manager, establishing all core files, financial models, processes, and reporting structures from scratch.
• Maintained full continuity and performance across leadership changes, training and onboarding two successive Finance Managers on all FP&A systems and procedures.
• Developed and implemented financial training programs for cross-functional teams to drive budget accountability and improve financial decision-making.
• Indirectly led staff by enforcing financial discipline, ensuring adherence to newly implemented systems and policies across departments.
• Acted as a key member of the ERP migration project team, leading data migration and module testing during the transition from ACCPAC to Orion.
• Took the lead in designing critical financial models and templates used across the business for scenario analysis, forecasting, and planning.
• Managed the annual budget cycle and submission process to the European Head Office, aligning local performance with group strategic objectives.
• Partnered with Executive Management on long-term strategy development and departmental goal alignment.
• Delivered deep-dive profitability analysis across South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, supporting strategic pricing, portfolio, and market decisions.
• Identified and escalated financial risks in revenue, margins, and overheads; led the development of proactive response strategies.
• Designed and governed sales commission structures, ensuring policy compliance and fair incentive distribution through regular review and approval.
• Led the Mid-Term Planning (MTP) cycle and monthly rolling forecasts, integrating operational inputs with strategic targets.
• Prepared and presented monthly performance commentary to EXCO and broader staff forums, fostering data-driven decision-making.
• Conducted cost centre reviews and tracked cost-saving initiatives with department heads to ensure budget adherence and strategic alignment.
• Analyzed Service Centre P&L performance and provided actionable insights to drive operational improvements and profitability.
• Led variance analysis processes during month-end and year-end, ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting and adjustment.
• Despite a track record of consistent delivery and team-wide recognition, promotion was withheld due to perceived age at the time by leadership, underscoring maturity and impact beyond title.

Strategic Financial Consulting for SMEs Entrepreneurial & Operational Leadership Ongoing Involvement (Side Venture)

• Founded and built an accounting and tax advisory firm supporting small to medium-sized enterprises with financial statements, tax compliance, and strategic guidance.
• Delivered a full suite of services including VAT, PAYE, income tax, provisional tax, individual returns, and SARS dispute resolution.
• Acted as a finance partner to business owners, helping them understand performance, optimize costs, and make informed financial decisions.
• Oversaw all aspects of business operations — from service delivery and client management to compliance and internal system design.
• Built streamlined processes and templates for client reporting, ensuring consistent quality and regulatory compliance.
• After transitioning into a senior role at Canon SA, scaled the business down and currently retain a small portfolio of legacy clients (approx. 4 businesses), providing advisory and compliance services on a part-time basis.

Engaged directly with the CEO, COO, and Sales Director to design and implement strategic reporting tools, streamline internal operations, and drive cross-functional insights.

• Built dynamic dashboards and digitized manual reports to support EXCO-level decision-making, saving time and improving data accessibility.
• Facilitated succession planning by training in-house staff on dashboard maintenance and basic reporting functions.
• Mapped and connected departmental data to present a holistic operational view, enabling improved collaboration and performance tracking.
• Collaborated with developers to refine report requests, ensuring accurate data flow and on-time delivery.
• Participated in EXCO meetings to follow up on deliverables and ensure alignment between business units.

Business & Financial Performance Analysis Management Reporting & Strategic Support Budgeting & Cost Metrics Development Ad-Hoc Projects & Cross-Functional Involvement

• Led business analysis across the entire value chain to identify opportunities for improving financial performance and mitigating potential risks.
• Managed the Debit Order Collection process, ensuring timely and accurate processing of transactions.
• Reviewed sales, cost of sales, and client billing accuracy to support overall financial health and drive improvements.
• Prepared comprehensive management reporting packs for the FD, MD, and EXCO, delivering insights to inform strategic decision-making.
• Developed and maintained financial reports for other group companies, ensuring consistency and alignment across the business.
• Supported key stakeholders in understanding cost drivers, KPIs, and financial benchmarks by providing relevant analysis and insights.
• Spearheaded the intense budgeting process for five consecutive years, ensuring alignment with corporate goals and market conditions.
• Developed, monitored, and analyzed cost metrics to drive profitability and operational efficiency across departments.
• Actively participated in various ad-hoc projects, identifying ways in which the finance department could contribute further value to the business, from cost optimization to process improvements.
• Collaborated with different business units to integrate financial insights into operational decision-making.
• Sureswipe is a company that specializes in Point of Sale systems and a direct competitor to all banks. It also owns the company iKhokha which is the direct competitor of Yoco.

Finance Leadership & Team Management Process Optimization & Systems Strategic Contributions Other Contributions

• Oversaw the full month-end close process including payroll, inventory, management reports, and submission of financial packs to group leadership.
• Managed and developed a team of 11 finance employees, providing training, support, and ongoing performance coaching.
• Delivered monthly reporting packs with variance commentary to business unit heads and led financial discussions during management meetings.
• Served as onboarding lead for new hires across the business, delivering induction programs and financial systems training.
• Worked closely with the other Financial Manager in a collaborative team-based structure to oversee all aspects of financial control.
• Played a key role in ERP system migration, contributing to testing, data integrity, and the successful transition of finance workflows.
• Partnered with directors and general managers to support strategic decision-making through custom-built reports and dashboards.
• Coordinated year-end audit processes and liaised directly with external auditors to ensure compliance and timely financial statement submission.
• Personally identified and implemented learnership allowances, saving the business over R1 million in corporate tax obligations.
• Managed all financial elements of tender applications, supporting revenue growth initiatives through accurate and timely documentation.
• Volunteered as Health & Safety Floor Warden, demonstrating cross-functional leadership and commitment to team wellbeing.
• Regularly trained and onboarded junior finance staff, strengthening internal capability and continuity.

Completed SAIPA articles at a family-owned accounting firm, gaining end-to-end exposure across financial reporting, taxation, payroll, and client advisory services for a broad SME client base.

• Prepared annual and interim financial statements in accordance with IFRS (Compilations and Independent Reviews).
• Managed all tax-related processes including income tax, VAT, PAYE, and EMP501 reconciliations.
• Directly responsible for processing journals, reconciliations, and payroll cycles.
• Led budgeting exercises and advised SMEs on governance and internal control practices.
• Trained junior article clerks and took over full client responsibility during third year of articles, demonstrating early leadership.