CA(SA) Executive Career Profile

Jane Smith CA(SA)

Commercial Finance Leader
I bring the technical grounding of a CA(SA) together with the commercial maturity required to influence operational, strategic, and executive decision-making. My experience includes budgeting, forecasting, financial leadership, board-level reporting, process improvement, and managing stakeholder expectations in fast-moving environments. I am particularly effective where a business needs a finance leader who is credible, commercially aware, calm under pressure, and able to drive both rigour and momentum.
Salary Positioning
R1.1m – R1.45m CTC
Depending on role scope, team size, incentives, long-term growth potential, and strategic impact. Open to discussing strong opportunities that align with leadership trajectory and commercial mandate.
11+ Years Post Qualified
4 Years Finance, 3 Years Audit, 4 Years Executive
Reason for Job Search
Seeking broader strategic exposure, stronger leadership scope, and long-term career progression
Notice Required
30 Days

Selected Career Highlights


Promoted to Finance Lead
Years of relevant finance, audit, and leadership experience
Optimized R850m+
Cumulative budgets and finance portfolios supported
Awarded Contract Team
Audit, corporate finance, and commercial business partnering capability
Selected as Youth Executive
Comfortable engaging leadership with concise, decision-ready insight

Career Timeline

Finance Manager
XYZ Holdings
Mar 2019 – Dec 2021 Cape Town Consumer / Retail
Audit Manager
Big Four Firm
Jan 2015 – Feb 2019 Johannesburg Audit / Professional Services
Audit Senior / Trainee Accountant
Big Four Firm
Jan 2012 – Dec 2014 Johannesburg Audit / Professional Services


Industry Exposure

Financial Services Commercial Finance Consumer / Retail Manufacturing Operational Business Audit / Professional Services Group Reporting Business Partnering


Systems Experience

SAP Xero Power BI Excel Advanced CaseWare Pastel / Sage Oracle Hyperion Microsoft Dynamics TM1 / Planning Tools

Qualifications

CA(SA) (2022)
South African Institute of Chartered Accountants
BCom Honours in Accounting (2019)
University Name
BCom Accounting (2017)
University Name
Matric (2014)
St. Andrew's College, Grahamstown


Core Competencies

FP&A
Board Reporting
Commercial Finance
Budgeting
Forecasting
Financial Leadership
Business Partnering
Internal Controls
Management Reporting
Cash Flow
Strategic Analysis
Team Leadership


Other Achievements

Sports Leadership
Captain / committee role in competitive sport, demonstrating discipline, teamwork, and leadership under pressure
Cultural Involvement
Active participation in community, cultural, or educational initiatives that reflect strong interpersonal leadership
Mentorship / Community Contribution
Mentoring younger professionals or contributing time to initiatives focused on development and upliftment

Professional Experience

Head of Commercial Finance
ABC Group
2022 – Present
Lead financial planning, commercial reporting, strategic analysis, and executive decision support across a multi-division environment. Partner closely with leadership on margin management, performance visibility, forecasting, and growth initiatives.
R420m+
Annual commercial portfolio supported through planning, forecasting, and performance analysis.
27%
Improvement in reporting turnaround after redesigning monthly executive reporting packs.
8 Divisions
Provided finance business partnering and KPI oversight across a broad operating structure.
Board-Level
Regularly prepared and presented decision-grade insights for senior leadership stakeholders.

Finance Manager
XYZ Holdings
2019 – 2022
Managed month-end reporting, planning cycles, controls, cash flow visibility, and finance team coordination. Supported the business through tighter performance management and more disciplined financial reporting.
R250m+
Managed budgeting and reporting processes across a substantial operating cost base.
15 Days to 9
Reduced month-end reporting cycle through process redesign and stronger accountability.
Cash Focus
Improved working capital visibility and strengthened performance conversations with business units.
Team Lead
Led and developed finance staff while improving reporting consistency and control quality.

Audit Manager
Big Four Firm
2015 – 2019
Managed complex audit engagements for listed and large private-sector clients, developed strong technical depth, and built the communication discipline required to engage confidently with financial leadership teams.
Point 1
Led multiple concurrent engagements with responsibility for quality, timelines, and stakeholder trust.
Point 2
Built deep technical capability across reporting, controls, risk, and governance environments.
Point 3
Managed teams, reviewed deliverables, coached juniors, and maintained delivery standards.
Point 4
Developed strong executive-facing communication style grounded in precision and professionalism.
Point 5
Led multiple concurrent engagements with responsibility for quality, timelines, and stakeholder trust.
Point 6
Built deep technical capability across reporting, controls, risk, and governance environments.
Point 7
Managed teams, reviewed deliverables, coached juniors, and maintained delivery standards.
Point 8
Developed strong executive-facing communication style grounded in precision and professionalism.
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