Zipiwe Banda
Lusaka
Summary
Experienced and Innovative take-charge professional that delivers executive support and team leadership to a business and its operations with over ten years experience. Dependable and detail-oriented with ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities. Broad experience includes accuracy, confidence and a persuasive team builder that is able to motivate and communicate to achieve exceptional business performance. Recognized for exemplary team effort to produce genuine long-term sustainable development. Operated in UK, South Africa, Zambia, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
2011
2011
years of post-secondary education
Work history
CO Founder and COO
Boost Technology
Capetown , South Africa
06.2021 - 12.2023
- Established company brand for Improved visibility and Recognition and lead in implementing cost-saving measures to reduce operational expenses significantly.
- Oversaw product development for superior market positioning.
- Compiled operational and risk reports detailing financial metrics to help management make proactive decisions.
- Fostered an inclusive workplace culture that values diversity, boosted employee morale considerably.
- Developed business strategy by conducting comprehensive market research.
- Sourced talent globally to diversify employee skillset and experience base.
- Support CEC and Co founder in raising capital by enhancing partnerships with investors and maintaining strong stockholder relationships.
- Pioneered eco-friendly practices in the office, contributed to sustainable corporate culture.
- Streamlined operations with innovative systems implementation.
- Formed partnerships with key stakeholders to drive business growth.
- Maximized profits through strategic pricing adjustments and cost management techniques.
- Fostered customer loyalty with excellent service standards and quality products.
- Led team to achieve company objectives on time and within budget.
- Optimised daily operations to achieve maximum efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
- Navigated challenges, adapting to changing market conditions and overcoming obstacles with resilience.
- Evaluated budget plans and current costs to project trends and recommend updates.
- Created and enforced company-wide controls regarding revenue and expenses in concerted effort to protect organization’s assets.
- Worked with regulatory representatives to complete accurate filings and maintain compliance.
- Nutured industry relationships, facilitated collaboration opportunities.
Group Finance Controller - South and East Africa
Allied-Mobile Communications (Pty) Ltd
Johannesburg, GP
01.2014 - 06.2020
- Reviewed account reconciliations and journal entries and resolved discrepancies to maintain record and account accuracy.
- Coordinated timely dissemination of financial management reports such as internal and external financial statements, annual audits and annual budgets.
- Led annual financial audit and preparation of support for audited financial statements.
- Prepared and presented operational reports to senior management and executive teams.
- Facilitated and completed annual financial statement audits and reviewed results.
- Evaluated collection reports to determine collections status and outstanding balance amounts.
- Spearhead and directed accounting divisions to manage fund accounting, accounts payable and accounts receivable, payroll, budget and grant accounting functions.
- Managed daily accounting operations, including closing, reporting and reconciliation functions.
- Directed and coordinated company financial management and budget administration for 4 business segments worth $280 000 000.
- Modified comprehensive financial reporting package to reflect growing organizational complexity and managed financial reporting processes to validate internal and external financial results align with GAAP.
- Maintained general ledger and chart of accounts, performed complex accounting functions such as journal entry preparation, account analysis, balance sheet reconciliation and preparation of quarterly financial statements.
- Created internal controls and corrective actions to reduce risk or deficiencies.
- Oversaw financial reporting, accounts payable and receivable, asset coordination, account management and budgets.
- Managed cash flows to optimize year-end tax benefits.
- Produced financial reports and audit documentation to facilitating internal and external auditing.
- Improved billing and month-end reporting processes.
- Input preparation on monthly financial statements, support coordinate annual audits and submission of data preparation of Consolidated Annual Financial Reports (CAFR) from an internal FRX Reporting system
- Supervised accounting and financial functions, including month-end close processes, and reconciled treasury transactions. Worked closely with Finance Director and external auditors complete year-end close process.
- Developed complex P&L reports to inform stakeholders.
- Collaborated with finance and accounting departments to deliver comprehensive financial information to facilitate decision making for management, stakeholders and parent company.
Finance Controller
Allied-Mobile Communications (Pty) Ltd
Johannesburg, GP
01.2012 - 01.2014
- Created detailed financial models and applied analytical tools to facilitate variance analysis.
- Developed and implemented accounting, financial and operational systems.
- Collaborated with operations manager on staff compliance with all financial and banking regulations.
- Evaluated budget plans and current costs to project trends and recommend updates.
- Employed and trained 8 new recruits according to established guidelines to improve efficiency and productivity.
- Worked with regulatory representatives to complete accurate filings and maintain compliance.
- Tracked all revenue and expenses for 4 regional offices and central maintenance facility.
- Structured deals and negotiated with financial institutions to complete financing and funding.
- Established budgets, cash flow forecasts, cost assessments and provided timely reports for strategic meetings.
- Extensively analyzed and researched financial data ahead of annual budget creation and administration.
Accounts Payable Manager
Allied-Mobile Communications (Pty) Ltd
Johannesburg, GP
01.2011 - 01.2012
- Used exemplary communication and interaction skills to build strong working relationships with partners, employees and clients.
- Created and managed comprehensive reports to summarize forecast compared to actual expenditures.
- Accurately tracked, verified and approved accounts payable and accounts receivable invoices and total balances into financial software, conducting monthly balance sheet reviews to reconcile variances.
- Decreased liabilities by preparing tax bills and mailings while processing journal entries, online transfers and payments.
- Reviewed bank account statements to reconcile accounts by documenting correct financial information in general ledger.
- Mitigated financial discrepancies by preparing bank reconciliations, managing field audits and reviewing accounting records for accuracy.
Accounts Payable Supervisor
Travco LLP
London
10.2002 - 11.2010
- Trained and mentioned newly hired employees to educate on process flows and interdepartmental procedures.
- Oversaw monthly close process ensuring timely and accurate reporting of all accounting financial information.
- Handled vendor invoice processing in timely manner according to company policy.
- Communicated with stakeholders, including vendors, upper management and peers.
- Documented internal controls over disbursement functions to meet strict compliance.
- Improved productivity initiatives, managed accounts, coordinated itinerary and scheduled client and leadership appointments.
- Promoted efficient and open communication by preparing collateral for team and client meetings, taking notes and distributing information to relevant stakeholders.
- Optimized personnel coverage, preparing work schedules based on staff availability and forecasted demands.
- Automated office operations, managing client correspondence, record tracking and data communications in database and case management software.
- Conducted Annual performance evaluations of office staff to monitor progress and productivity and recommend promotions, corrective or disciplinary actions.
- Created and managed electronic customer records, encompassing data entry and administrative functions related to billing and accounts receivable.
- Recruited, trained and developed dynamic administrative team, supporting all corporate growth and productivity objectives.
Audit Assistant -Intern
Deloitte And Touche Zambia
Ndola, Zambia
06.1998 - 07.2001
- Planned and executed audits in accordance with accepted standard operating procedures.
- Checked and reconciled bank deposits and payments.
- Ensured compliance with tax regulations.
- Reviewed internal audit controls.
- Inspected accounts receivable and payable ledgers.
- Analyzed budgets and balance sheets.
- Analyzed operating and design effectiveness of all audit areas, including mitigating controls and compliance.
- Communicated audit findings by preparing and disseminating final reports to Audit Senior.
- Verified assets and liabilities by comparing items to origination documentation and annual consumption.
- Monitored new trends and technologies related to audit areas to implement modifications in processes and procedures.
- Performed information system audits to manage internal controls and assess risks.
- Performed audits of operational and financial areas to check compliance.
- Investigated and resolved discrepancies in monthly bank accounts.
- Managed accounting operations, accounting close, account reporting and reconciliations.
- Utilized prescribed scripts and friendly but firm attitude with full knowledge of contractual requirements and legal remedies.
Education
ACCA Finalist - Studying - Accounting And Finance
Anglia Ruskin University
EnglandACCA Part 2 - Accounting And Finance
London Vocational Management Training College
EnglandSkills
- Oral and written communication
- Workflow management
- Report writing
- CRM and office management software
- Ability to prioritize
- Inventory control
- Process and procedure development
- Reporting and documentation
- QuickBooks experience
- Financial planning
- Risk Management
- Account analysis expertise
- Account analysis
- Valuation analysis
- Cash-flow report generation
Accomplishments
- Tax Compliance /Accounting Reviews
- Lead on a Comprehensive ZRA audit assessed at 16 million USD in favor of the state. With detailed technical and analytical review of assessment managed to reduced the liability to only 600k USD. Great win for the company.
- General Ledger Accounts
- Maintained accurate accounts including cash, inventory, prepaid, fixed assets, accounts payable, accrued expenses and line of credit transactions.
- Process Improvement
- Created new departmental procedures manual for a 24 million Revenue account in a space of 6 months for effective management reporting.
- Provided a competitive project analysis on a first to market mobile commerce product. Managed to negotiate higher commission earnings. Initial rates were 2% increased to 9% adding to revenue for future company growth.
- Documentation
- Wrote and edited documents to keep staff informed on policies and procedures.
Activities and Honors
Endorsements, "I personally want to thank you for all the hard work you have done...where you have been a solid, reliable rock. You will be sorely missed. Our reputation for payment across Europe is exemplary...If you ever find yourself back in England looking for a job, I am sure we will be able to accommodate you.
" Jamie Feilder, Finance Director, Travco LLP UK, "
...She built solid relationships with her colleagues...She is confident and self - motivated leading the Purchase Ledger Dept to meet deadlines and strict payment conditions...Zipiwe was brilliant...She is extremely intelligent, very enthusiastic with an amazing personality. Her work was always accurate ...She is able to instruct staff to work hard whilst gaining their respect and friendship. She has excelled at running a team of people in a stressful environment ...honest ,reliable, truthful...
" Denise Carsewell, HR Manager/Purchase Ledger Manager, Travco LLP,
As per discussion this morning kindly find attached for your reading. This is exemplary progress in the right direction considering where we started , we now must ensure we respond to the remainder ensuring closure., Additionally Zipiwe’s knowledge on tax and articulate responses have been invaluable in this exercise, Best Regards,, Marcus Hedström | Country General Manager - Allied Mobile
Timeline
CO Founder and COO
Boost Technology
06.2021 - 12.2023
Group Finance Controller - South and East Africa
Allied-Mobile Communications (Pty) Ltd
01.2014 - 06.2020
Finance Controller
Allied-Mobile Communications (Pty) Ltd
01.2012 - 01.2014
Accounts Payable Manager
Allied-Mobile Communications (Pty) Ltd
01.2011 - 01.2012
Accounts Payable Supervisor
Travco LLP
10.2002 - 11.2010
Audit Assistant -Intern
Deloitte And Touche Zambia
06.1998 - 07.2001
ACCA Part 2 - Accounting And Finance
London Vocational Management Training College
ACCA Finalist - Studying - Accounting And Finance
Anglia Ruskin University