Jacqueline Smuts

Accomplished finance professional with 25+ years of experience across manufacturing, automotive, hospitality and security sectors. Expertise includes financial management, management accounting, cost accounting, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, financial reporting, procurement, contract management and strategic business support. Recognised for strong analytical skills, attention to detail, operational efficiency improvements and the ability to build effective relationships across finance, operations and executive leadership teams.

Chief Accountant at Cape Gate (Pty) Ltd (2021-04 – 2026-10)

Retrenched

• Prepare and present monthly management accounts.
• Manage process costing, stock valuations, cash flow forecasting.
• Support budgeting processes and external audits.
• Review and authorise cashbooks, creditor payments and COD transactions.
• Prepare VAT and PAYE reconciliations and submissions.
• Manage balance sheet reconciliations and month-end journals.

Regional Financial Manager at National Security & Fire (2020-10 – 2021-03)

Business Restructure

• Managed regional budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting.
• Oversaw accounting records, payroll, collections and accounts payable.
• Identified cost-saving opportunities and improved expenditure control.
• Approved regional expenditure and contracts.
• Supported operational leadership with financial analysis and business insights.
• Supervised finance and support staff.

Commercial Financial Manager at Kwanda Resources (2018-06 – 2020-09)

Spouse relocated to Cape Town

• Managed budgeting, profitability analysis and procurement.
• Secured government tenders and managed commercial contracts.
• Prepared management reports and profitability analyses.
• Developed pricing structures and commercial models
• Led finance, debtors, creditors and procurement functions.

Financial Controller at Hyundai Automotive South Africa (2017-03 – 2018-05)

Head hunted

• Prepared management accounts and executive reporting packs.
• Managed budgeting and departmental expense reporting.
• Managed VAT reporting across three divisions.
• Supervised finance staff and creditors functions.
• Coordinated board reporting and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Managed B-BBEE and insurance reporting requirements.

Assistant Financial Manager at Sun International (2016-06 – 2017-02)

Business Restructure

• Managed balance sheet reconciliations and month end journals.
• Administered finance-related ERP projects.
• Oversaw VAT reconciliations and recharge projects.
• Supported audit processes and compliance activities.
• Forex transactional processing (International Casinos)

Project Accountant at Sun International – Head Office (2014-02 – 2016-05)

Promoted

• Managed project accounting, procurement reporting and IFS support.
• Administered group procurement reporting and B-BBEE reporting.
• Supported strategic development projects and supplier management

Project Accountant at Sun International -Boardwalk Casino (2007-09 – 2014-01)

Promoted

• Managed project accounting and financial reporting.
• Maintained fixed asset registers.
• Controlled intercompany accounts and reconciliations.
• Authorised EFT payments.

Bookkeeper at Sun International - Boardwalk Casino (2000-06 – 2007-08)

Promoted

• Managed full bookkeeping function to trial balance.
• Responsible for debtors, creditors, cashbook and general ledger functions.
• Supervised junior accounting staff.
• Managed food and beverage revenue accounting processes

Bachelor of Accounting Science (BCompt) – UNISA (2016)

Higher Diploma in Management: Financial Accounting – Damelin/IAC (2009)