Martin Botes

Results-driven Municipal Finance Professional with over 10 years of progressive experience in South African local government finance. Specialises in mSCOA compliance, GRAP-compliant financial reporting, multi-year budget management, grant administration, and cash flow forecasting. Experienced in the administration and oversight of municipal ERP financial systems, AFS compilation programs, and relational database environments.

Currently serving as Manager: Budget & Compliance at Joe Gqabi District Municipality, where leadership over the audit process contributed to clean audit outcomes for both the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 financial years. Proven ability to develop high-performing finance teams, engage diverse stakeholders, and drive compliance and service delivery outcomes. Executive member of the Eastern Cape CIGFARO Division.

Manager: Budget & Compliance - Joe Gqabi District Municipality - Joe Gqabi District Municipality

(2024-07)

Manages the full budget and compliance function for Joe Gqabi District Municipality in line with MFMA requirements, covering budget compilation, adjustment budgets, Annual Financial Statements (GRAP), and all legislative reporting obligations.

• Sets performance standards, provides coaching, and takes corrective action to ensure staff commitment and delivery
• Oversees safe working practices in compliance with the municipality's Occupational Health & Safety Management Plan
• Compiles and manages the MTREF multi-year budget in mSCOA format, coordinating departmental inputs and aligning to the IDP
• Oversees financial input into SDBIP development, mid-year and adjustment budget processes, and Council approval compliance
• Submits approved budgets and supporting documentation to National and Provincial Treasury within MFMA deadlines
• Assist with compilation of Annual Financial Statements in GRAP format, incorporating Auditor-General findings from prior years
• Submit the draft AFS to the Audit Committee and the final AFS to Council and all relevant oversight authorities, in conjunction with the CFO
• Maintains the Audit File as prescribed by the Auditor-General
• Submits monthly Section 71 and quarterly Section 72 reports to National and Provincial Treasury via prescribed formats
• Uploads financial reports to GoMUNI, eMonitor, FMCMM
• Prepare reports and presentations to Top Management, National and Provincial Treasury, CoGTA and other relevant role players as instructed and required
• Issues monthly financial reports to management including budget expenditure, cashflow projections, financial ratios and modelling
• Reconciles all Government grants to the general ledger and manages grant journal entries at month-end
• Oversees compliance of grant expenditure reports with funder requirements and ensures cash flow adequacy
• Manages project account reconciliations against budgets and contract requirements
• Serves as System Administrator of the municipality's financial ERP system, managing user access, configuration, and system integrity
• Manages Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with external service providers relating to financial management systems and support
• Oversees financial system data credibility to ensure integrity and reliability of management information generated

Support Manager | Division Head: Budget, Planning & Reporting - InzaloEMS Municipal Solutions

(2015-07 - 2024-06)

Provided expert municipal finance consulting, mSCOA implementation support, ERP system administration, and team leadership across multiple South African municipalities.

• Managed resource allocation, project plans, billing per MoU/SLA agreements, and progress reports for client sign-off
• Evaluated KPIs of team members and managed collections of outstanding client debt
• Assessed municipalities' business processes and performed GAP analyses to support mSCOA compliance
• Assisted with the implementation of mSCOA at municipalities in line with provided guidelines and regulations
• Assisted in resolving operational issues, including system, governance, and accounting-related challenges
• Served as facilitator between clients and development teams on system enhancements and change management initiatives
• Trained and mentored municipal staff on GRAP accounting, mSCOA legislation, MFMA, SCM, and ERP system usage
• Supported municipalities with budget compilation, GL reconciliations, month/year-end procedures, and AFS compilation
• Managed audit support — maintained electronic and hard copy audit evidence and responded to audit enquiries
• Assisted with functionality specifications for the InzaloEMS Planning/Budget Module and National Treasury reporting strings
• Performed SQL database data cleansing and master data management as required by clients
• Facilitated on-site and virtual training workshops and User Acceptance Testing during ERP implementations
• Identified and communicated risks and deficiencies within municipal departments to line management

Trainee Accountant (SAIPA) - Sonja Steenkamp Accountants

(2012-01 - 2014-12)

• Completed SAIPA training contract, fulfilling all competency requirements for registration as a Professional Accountant
• Managed day-to-day client engagement and trained junior interns

Post Graduate Diploma - Financial Planning - University of the Free State (2013)

B. Com (Hons) - Accounting - University of the Free State (2011)

B. Com (Hons) - Financial Economics & Investment Management - University of the Free State (2008)

B. Com - Money & Banking - University of the Free State (2006)

National Senior Certificate - Matric - High School Fichardtpark (2001)