Sindiswa Khoza

Results-driven Professional Accountant (SA) with 15+ years of progressive experience across financial management, cost accounting, IFRS-aligned reporting, and executive-level finance leadership within SME environments. Demonstrated track record of directing full-function financial operations — from debtors and creditors through to management accounts, SARS statutory compliance, internal controls, and budget management. Dual expertise in Finance and HR management.

SAIPA-registered with a BTech in Cost and Management Accounting and an Advanced Diploma in Accounting Sciences (UNISA). Proficient in Pastel Accounting, Xero, VIP Payroll, and Pastel Sage.

Finance Manager at Mdalisu Investment Pty Ltd (2025-04 – Present)

• Developed and implemented company-wide financial strategies aligned with executive business objectives, providing data-driven forecasting and scenario-based risk analysis to guide C-suite decision-making.
• Built and managed annual budgets across all departments; monitored expenditure against targets, identified variance root causes, and recommended corrective actions — instilling tighter cost-control disciplines throughout the organisation.
• Produced monthly financial statements, management reports, and board-level presentations, ensuring 100% on-time compliance with SARS requirements, tax legislation, and applicable financial regulations.
• Optimised accounts payable and receivable cycles to improve working capital efficiency, reducing collection lag and maintaining consistent cash flow stability across the fiscal year.
• Designed and enforced an internal controls framework and financial risk policy suite, proactively mitigating fraud exposure and financial mismanagement risk across all business units.
• Managed and coordinated relationships with banks, external auditors, SARS, and regulatory bodies, streamlining audit preparation and ensuring seamless statutory submission processes.
• Led, mentored, and developed the finance team, aligning individual KPIs with strategic business goals and building a culture of professional accountability and continuous improvement.

Financial Director at C Potco Pty Ltd (2023-02 – 2025-01)

• Directed full-function financial operations — debtors, creditors, management accounts, and bank reconciliations — ensuring accuracy and integrity across all financial records for a growing SME.
• Monitored revenue streams and cost of sales monthly, identifying operational cost inefficiencies and implementing targeted controls that protected company gross margins.
• Managed SARS statutory return submissions and external auditor liaison, achieving on-time regulatory compliance across all statutory deadlines throughout tenure.
• Maintained the fixed asset register and processed monthly depreciation journals in line with applicable accounting standards, ensuring accurate long-term asset tracking.
• Supervised and upskilled a junior finance team, measurably improving processing accuracy and reducing turnaround times for monthly financial reporting cycles.
• Concurrently managed all HR operations — payroll processing (VIP), staff onboarding, employment contract drafting, and IR administration — as dual Finance and HR Director.

Finance Manager & HR Manager at African Arete (2012-06 – 2023-01)

10-year tenure with four internal promotions: Finance Assistant → Bookkeeper → Senior Bookkeeper → Finance Manager

Finance Manager at African Arete (2016-07 – 2023-01)

• Oversaw full-function debtors and creditors portfolios across the full tenure, maintaining consistent collections efficiency, supplier payment compliance, and accurate reconciliations throughout.
• Prepared, analysed, and interpreted monthly management accounts, delivering timely financial insights that informed strategic business and operational decisions at executive level.
• Submitted all SARS statutory returns — VAT, PAYE, and related obligations — with a consistent on-time compliance record across all reporting periods.
• Prepared audit files and served as primary liaison with external auditors on an annual basis, streamlining the audit cycle and minimising query resolution turnaround time.
• Processed all accruals and journal entries, maintaining the integrity of the general ledger across multiple accounting periods and ensuring clean month-end close.
• Led and mentored junior finance staff, providing hands-on coaching that elevated team competency and sustained departmental output through periods of business growth.

Senior Bookkeeper at African Arete (2014-12 – 2016-06)

• Managed full payroll processing via VIP for all employees — including new-hire onboarding and banking detail updates — ensuring accurate and timely payroll disbursements each cycle.
• Prepared and submitted VAT returns and Workmen's Compensation filings, maintaining full statutory compliance across all applicable reporting obligations.
• Drafted employment contracts and performed bank reconciliations, providing cross-functional support to the broader finance and HR operation.

Bookkeeper at African Arete (2013-01 – 2014-11)

• Managed full-function creditors — invoicing, reconciliations, and payment runs — and full-function debtors including invoicing and reconciliation, building a foundation for escalating responsibilities.

Finance Assistant at African Arete (2012-06 – 2012-12)

• Supported debtors function including invoicing, collections, client reconciliations, and statement distribution; managed delivery note verification and general financial administration.

Debtors Manager at The Wet Zone (2011-03 – 2012-05)

• Managed the full debtors function — invoicing, collections, reconciliations, and client account queries — maintaining a healthy aged debtors book with proactive overdue account escalation.
• Conducted regular age analysis reviews to identify and escalate high-risk accounts, supporting improved debtor days and cash flow performance for the business.
• Supervised a junior finance team and provided cross-functional support across creditors processing, payroll administration, and fixed asset management.

Accounts Clerk at Business Solutions (2010-03 – 2011-02)

• Managed full-function creditors processing including invoice capture, reconciliations, and payment runs across multiple supplier accounts.
• Prepared and interpreted management accounts, developing core competencies in financial analysis and management reporting.

Accounts Clerk at Accounting Professionals Networks (2009-03 – 2010-02)

• Supported SARS compliance activities and audit file preparation for a professional accounting firm, gaining exposure to a range of client accounts and statutory requirements.
• Managed client correspondence, front-of-house reception, and general financial administration for a busy practice.

Assistant Creditors Clerk (Vacation Work) at Sappi (2006 – 2009)

• Verified supplier invoices against GRVs and supported general financial administration and filing — foundational early-career experience within a large corporate environment.

Advanced Diploma in Accounting Sciences – University of South Africa (UNISA) (2022)

BTech in Cost and Management Accounting – Durban University of Technology (2014)

National Diploma in Cost and Management Accounting – Durban University of Technology (2010)

National Higher Certificate in Accountancy – Durban University of Technology (2010)

Professional Qualification in Management & Administration – DUT / Chartered Secretaries SA (2006)

Senior Certificate in Matric – Stanger High School (2005)