Jaco Swart

Strategic Financial Executive with over 32 years of experience, including 20 years in senior leadership as Group Financial Manager, Financial Director, and Business Owner across the agriculture, wine, FMCG, and manufacturing sectors. Proven ability to drive financial strategy, optimize capital structures, and implement integrated systems that enhance reporting accuracy, cash flow visibility, and governance. Skilled in building high-performing teams, partnering with boards and executive committees, and enabling sustainable business growth in complex group environments.

Founder & Director - HOLYstic Adding Value (Pty) Ltd

(2019-01)

Provide outsourced CFO and financial management services to multiple clients, leveraging 26+ years of experience.

• Delivered financial reporting, cash flow forecasting, and financing applications that enabled clients to secure funding and maintain operational sustainability.
• Implemented Sage Online Accounting & Payroll for SMEs, improving compliance and reporting turnaround times.
• Supported directors with tax compliance (VAT, PAYE, EMP201/501, IRP5) and financial statements preparation.

Group Financial Manager - Smuts Broers Agri (Pty) Ltd & Lucerne Fresh (Pty) Ltd

(2016-01 - 2019-12)

Managed financial operations of integrated farming, packing, and marketing entities.

• Secured financing for a new pack house, preparing projections and feasibility models.
• Implemented foreign exchange management processes, reducing FX losses.
• Strengthened audit readiness by streamlining year-end reporting and compliance.
• Oversaw payroll, VAT, EMP201, insurance, and banking relationships.

Financial Director - JD Implemente (Pty) Ltd

(2015-01 - 2016-12)

Led finance for a group with 4 regional branches and head office.

• Produced monthly management reports with risk, sales, and departmental performance insights.
• Developed branch-level performance reviews with the MD, improving operational accountability.
• Presented budgets to directors and shareholders; managed fixed asset investments and feasibility reporting.

Group Financial Manager - Unipack Fruit (Pty) Ltd

(2008-01 - 2012-12)

Directed finance for group including farming, packing, juice facility, and international marketing.

• Designed FX hedging and pricing models that optimized returns in global markets.
• Implemented integrated pack house/marketing system, reducing reconciliation time.
• Secured growth financing, aligning funding structures with business expansion.

Group Financial Manager - Mooiuitsig Wynkelders (Pty) Ltd

(2002-01 - 2008-12)

Oversaw financial operations across wine cellar, farming, wholesale, retail, property, and hospitality divisions (47 entities consolidated annually).

• Transitioned to integrated sales, stock, and finance system, improving reporting accuracy.
• Implemented Bill of Materials (BOM) for manufacturing, enabling cost efficiency monitoring.
• Introduced bi-annual management reporting, improving board decision-making.

Senior Accountant - PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc.

(1993-01 - 2015-12)

Provided audit, tax, and financial statement services for clients in agriculture, FMCG, and sport sectors.

Hons. B Compt - Accounting - UNISA (1997-12)

B Rek - Accounting - University of Stellenbosch (1993-12)