Ziyanda Msomi

Experienced finance professional with over 12 years of experience in accounting, financial management, financial reporting, taxation, budgeting and financial control. Holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting from the University of Johannesburg and has completed the CIMA Management Level, currently progressing towards the Strategic Level. Demonstrates strong experience in managing finance functions, leading finance teams, overseeing multi-entity operations, cash flow management, financial planning and analysis, internal controls and regulatory compliance.

Experienced in working with international operations, particularly in Namibia and Botswana, including VAT compliance, transfer pricing, foreign tax matters and audit coordination. A commercially minded finance professional with a strong focus on improving financial performance, strengthening financial discipline, optimising working capital and supporting strategic business decisions.

Financial Manager - Drifters Adventures

(2023-06)

• Oversee the overall finance function and financial performance of Drifters Adventures.
• Manage and provide leadership to the finance team, ensuring effective financial operations and accountability.
• Prepare and oversee annual budgets, financial forecasts and cash flow projections.
• Manage the treasury function, including cash flow planning, banking relationships and liquidity management.
• Develop and implement financial policies, procedures and internal controls.
• Conduct financial discipline reviews and internal audit assignments across Tourvest Accommodation and Activities businesses.
• Prepare investment appraisal models to support strategic and operational investment decisions.
• Oversee financial reporting, variance analysis and working capital management.
• Manage costing models for tours, including profitability analysis and cost optimisation.
• Coordinate external audits for Drifters Namibia and Botswana.
• Oversee VAT submissions and compliance matters for Namibia and Botswana.
• Manage income tax calculations and transfer pricing matters for Namibia and Botswana.
• Liaise with tax authorities and attend to tax and company secretarial queries in Namibia and Botswana.
• Negotiate VAT payment arrangements for Drifters Safaris in Botswana.
• Manage banking relationships, bank queries and the opening of new bank accounts.
• Oversee HR processes for Drifters guides and the Botswana operations.
• Participate in recruitment, interviewing and selection of finance personnel.
• Provide financial guidance to management to support commercial decisions and improve business performance.

Divisional Financial Accountant / Drifters Financial Manager - Tourvest Accommodation and Activities

(2020-03 - 2023-05)

• Managed the financial accounting and reporting requirements for five companies within the division.
• Prepared and consolidated monthly and weekly management reports.
• Prepared monthly management accounts and financial reporting packs.
• Reviewed monthly invoices and accounting transactions processed by finance clerks.
• Administered SARS profiles and banking facilities for the division.
• Responded to head office queries relating to financial reporting and submitted management packs.
• Managed VAT compliance and tax-related matters for Namibia and Botswana.
• Assisted with negotiating VAT payment arrangements for Drifters Safaris in Botswana.
• Developed financial policies and procedures to strengthen internal controls.
• Conducted financial discipline reviews across Tourvest Accommodation and Activities companies.
• Prepared investment appraisal models to support business decisions.
• Managed banking queries and facilitated the opening of new bank accounts.
• Performed variance analysis and working capital reviews.
• Supported the financial management and operational requirements of Drifters.

Financial Accountant - Mariswe

(2018-01 - 2020-02)

• Prepared monthly management accounts and financial reports.
• Managed monthly accounting functions using Pastel.
• Prepared VAT calculations and submitted statutory returns through SARS eFiling.
• Performed bank, general ledger and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Managed month-end accounting and intercompany reconciliations.
• Prepared weekly cash flow forecasts and financial projections.
• Reviewed and approved creditor and staff debtor batches.
• Managed petty cash and general accounting functions.
• Followed up and resolved SARS queries.
• Prepared project financial reports and management accounting information.
• Managed foreign VAT compliance for Lesotho and Ghana.
• Oversaw accounting functions for the subsidiary company in Tanzania.
• Processed foreign payments and withholding tax calculations.

Junior Accountant - Ramagale

(2016-04 - 2017-12)

• Prepared monthly management accounts and financial reports.
• Managed monthly accounting functions using Pastel.
• Prepared VAT, PAYE and EMP201 calculations and submissions.
• Managed monthly payroll processing.
• Prepared bank, debtor and creditor reconciliations.
• Managed petty cash and site administrators.
• Prepared EMP501 reconciliations and submissions.
• Assisted with budget preparation and analysis.
• Prepared project reports and management accounting information.
• Compiled annual financial statements.
• Followed up on SARS queries and tax-related matters.
• Acted as the company's Public Officer with SARS.

Accountant - Mihandzu Consulting Engineers

(2015-10 - 2016-03)

• Managed monthly accounting functions using QuickBooks.
• Prepared monthly management accounts and financial reports.
• Prepared VAT, PAYE and income tax calculations and submissions.
• Managed payroll processing and bank reconciliations.
• Performed debtor and creditor reconciliations.
• Prepared financial statements using CaseWare.
• Assisted with external audits and internal auditing.
• Prepared individual tax calculations and submissions.
• Prepared EMP501 calculations and submissions.
• Managed VAT reconciliations and SARS queries.
• Applied for tax directives and tax clearance certificates.
• Assisted with SARS registrations and tender documentation.
• Prepared budgets and financial analysis.
• Compiled supporting financial documentation for external auditors.

Junior Accountant - FinFive

(2014-02 - 2015-10)

• Prepared monthly accounting records and management accounts using Pastel.
• Prepared VAT, PAYE and income tax calculations and submissions.
• Managed payroll processing and bank reconciliations.
• Performed debtor and creditor reconciliations.
• Assisted with audit assignments and internal audit procedures.
• Prepared EMP501 reconciliations and submissions.
• Managed petty cash and SARS queries.
• Prepared individual tax calculations and submissions.
• Assisted with budget analysis and financial reporting.
• Applied for tax directives and tax clearance certificates.
• Prepared financial statements using CaseWare.

Teller / Service Consultant - Standard Bank

(2013-02 - 2014-01)

• Assisted customers with banking and account-related queries.
• Processed customer deposits, withdrawals and transfers.
• Promoted and sold banking products and services.
• Ensured accurate daily cash management and balancing of till accounts.
• Delivered customer service while maintaining banking compliance procedures.

Promoter / Hostess - Cinnamon Communications

(2011 - 2012)

• Promoted products and services.
• Assisted with customer engagement and promotional activities.

Administrative Assistant (Temporary) - QUEST

(2014-02 - 2014-02)

Sales Assistant (Temporary) - Woolworths

(2008-11 - 2008-12)

• Assisted customers with product enquiries.
• Managed shelf packing and stock counting.

Strategic Level – In progress; Management Level – Completed - Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)

Bachelor of Commerce - Accounting - University of Johannesburg (2009 - 2012)

National Senior Certificate (Matric) – Passed with university exemption - Ridge Park College (2008 - 2008)