Ramola Debipersad

Experienced Chartered Management Accountant (CIMA) with a strong track record in finance business partnering, corporate accounting, and IFRS compliance. Skilled at driving profitability, improving forecast accuracy, and delivering insights that influence executive decision-making. Recognised for transforming complex financial data into clear strategies that enhance performance and long-term value creation.

Successfully led financial system transitions, embedding Sage Pastel and Great Plains, and aligning compliance across business units to improve reporting efficiency.

Professional Experience

Datacentrix Ltd.

July 2004 – Present

Senior Finance Manager

Responsibilities:

• Partner with commercial and operational teams to deliver financial analysis that supports strategic initiatives.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and long-term planning processes, ensuring accuracy and alignment with business goals.
• Provide actionable insights through KPI tracking, variance analysis, and scenario modeling.
• Influence decision-making by presenting clear financial recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Drive continuous improvement in financial processes, enhancing efficiency and transparency.

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2. Strategic & Analytical Focus

• Partner with senior leadership to provide financial insights that drive strategic decision-making.
• Deliver accurate forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis to support business growth.
• Translate complex financial data into actionable recommendations for operational efficiency and profitability.

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2. Collaborative & Advisory Focus

• Act as a trusted advisor to business units, aligning financial planning with operational goals.
• Build strong cross-functional relationships to influence decision-making and ensure financial accountability.
• Support stakeholders with clear reporting, scenario modeling, and risk analysis.

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2. Results-Driven & Performance Focus

• Drive business performance by identifying opportunities for cost optimization and revenue growth.
• Lead financial planning cycles, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives.
• Provide proactive insights that improve ROI, streamline processes, and enhance overall business value.

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2. Financial Accounting & Technical Expertise:

• Resolve complex technical accounting issues including IFRS15 revenue recognition, IFRS16 lease accounting, and financing of hybrid deals, ensuring full compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards
• Process monthly IFRS16 lease calculations and maintain comprehensive leasing schedules for accuracy and regulatory compliance
• Prepare and present monthly and annual financial statements with full supporting documentation and technical accounting papers for complex transactions
• Maintain group-wide accounting policies and procedures aligned with IFRS and organizational Financial Controls Framework
• Process all accounting entries including journals, trial balance preparation, income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statements. Responsible for the processing of the prepaids, provisions, deffered revenue journal entries in the correct accounting periods.

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2. Corporate Reporting & Intercompany Management

• Prepare monthly EXCO reporting packs with detailed commentary and variance analysis for CEO and CFO review
• Manage intercompany transactions including monthly statements, balance confirmations, and dispute resolution
• Calculate and invoice management fees with complete analysis on activity drivers and allocation methodologies
• Prepare consolidated financial reports by collecting data, analyzing variances, and investigating discrepancies
• Deliver year-end reporting packages addressing queries from internal and external auditors efficiently

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2. Fixed Assets & Interest Management

• Manage fixed asset register and system (FAMS) including capitalizations, disposals, monthly depreciation, and capital tracker for budgeting
• Conduct asset verifications for audit purposes with comprehensive documentation
• Prepare and maintain loan and interest funding schedules with accurate accruals and reconciliations
• Structure and advise on leasing and asset-financed deals backed by finance houses, demonstrating strong deal structuring capabilities
• Maintained lease schedules, including IFRS 16 lease smoothing and rental adjustments.

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2. Audit Coordination & Financial Controls

• Primary point of contact for annual external audits, managing audit packs, scheduling, and timely query resolution
• Manage relationships with external auditors and Alviva Holdings internal audit teams
• Implement and monitor internal controls per Financial Controls Framework, conducting monthly control report checks including back-dated journals, access validation, and process completion verification
• Drive controls testing to maximize internal audit reliance for external audit efficiency
• Collate risk & control matrix questionnaires from departments at interim and year-end

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2. Treasury & Foreign Exchange

• Authorize and manage foreign exchange rates at entity level, updating defined rates weekly and monthly before ledger closure
• Calculate foreign exchange revaluation adjustments for foreign-denominated balances. Lead the project team in sucessfully embedding the automatiion of this process in SAGE.
• Monitor FX exposure to mitigate unnecessary volatility
• Liaise with banks and finance houses on negioation of rates.

2. Collaboration & Improvements

• Develop comprehensive annual budgets and quarterly forecasts with accurate variance analysis for approval and submission
• Monitor actuals against budget autonomously, initiating monthly meetings with business unit heads to review results and identify variance drivers
• Provide fundamental budget data to business units using standardized templates
• Prepare consolidated budgets with cost analysis for executive reporting

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2. Tax & Statutory Compliance

• Accountable for tax planning and structuring, including timely submission of tax returns
• Prepare VAT reconciliations with reasonability tests monthly
• Support regulatory compliance including statutory financial reporting requirements

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2. Systems & Process Improvement

• Lead integration of coastal office systems and transition to new reporting structures
• Recognized as key liaison between Finance and IT, ensuring reporting requirements are met and optimised
• Drive process automation initiatives to improve efficiency and accuracy
• Champion adoption of technology across financial accounting processes

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Datacentrix Ltd.

July 2002 – June 2004 

Financial Accountant

Responsibilities:

• The role encompassed comprehensive accounting, financial, and management reporting with a strong focus on cost management. Overall, the role aimed to ensure integrity, efficiency, and compliance in financial reporting, cost management, and operational processes within the group.

• Transactional Oversight & Compliance: General ledger transactions, internal controls, audit compliance, and timely updates to financial systems.

• Budgeting & Cost Control: Developing and managing the corporate office budget and forecasts, conducting monthly variance analysis, cost reduction initiatives, and collaborating with department heads. Managing intercompany charges, internal control matrix, and statutory surveys.

• Stakeholder & External Relations: Managing relationships with auditors, management companies, and various internal stakeholders, ensuring timely and accurate reporting.

• Conducted gross profit and margin analyses to support financial performance reviews.
• Managed daily cash flow forecasting and performed accurate bank reconciliations.
• Compiled detailed balance sheet notes with supporting documentation.
• Delivered monthly rebate schedules and expense variance reports.
• Oversaw fixed asset schedules and ensured timely monthly reconciliations.
• Produced consolidated client profitability reports to inform strategic decision-making.

Marriott Retail 

Sept 2001 – June 2002

Accountant

Responsibilities:

• The role encompassed comprehensive accounting, financial, and management reporting with a strong focus on cost management. Overall, the role aimed to ensure integrity, efficiency, and compliance in financial reporting, cost management, and operational.

• Prepared end-to-end financial accounting processes, including journal entries, invoice handling, and payment execution.
• Reconciled general ledger accounts and managed full creditors and cashbook functions.
• Delivered monthly executive cost reports with insightful budget variance analysis.
• Administered lease agreements and ensured timely rental collections.

Illovo Sugar Africa

Dec 1999 – Aug 2001

Accountant

• Key responsibilities included managing intercompany accounting, regulatory payments, financial reporting, compliance, and strategic planning and treasury functions, while driving cost optimisation and supporting executive decision-making.
• Calculated complex sugar pool proceeds and managed regulatory payments to industry bodies (SASA).
• Produced weekly cash flow forecasts and VAT reports for group-level consolidation.
• Reconciled general ledger and bank accounts, including monthly intercompany balances.
• Maintained and updated general ledger structures, ensuring accurate account coding.
• Prepared monthly and annual financial statements, facilitated audits, and resolved queries.
• Forecasted cash flows, optimized borrowings, and managed foreign exchange exposure to reduce finance costs.
• Developed comprehensive budgets, five-year strategic plans, and management reporting packs with debt and finance cost analysis.

QUALIFICATIONS & CERTIFICATIONS

• Chartered Institute of Management Accountants - CIMA (ACMA, CGMA)
• University of South Africa – BCom Honours (Financial Management)
• Professional Accountant – South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA)