BL ENDA FOURIE CA(SA)

EXECUTIVE - FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
Qualified Chartered Accountant and Finance Specialist with 25 years post-articles experience in a
combination of Operational, Financial and Auditing / Assurance roles in medium to large organizations
at Senior / Executive and Strategic level. Have worked in various industries and sectors in the South
African Business environment as well as the Public Sector.

Professional Accomplishments:
 Exceeding savings targets and related KPI’s by instilling strong financial discipline, enforcing
compliance to policies and procedures and internal controls throughout the finance function and
business.
 Received performance bonus every year from Edcon as well as Adcock Ingram.
 Received 2x internal promotions at Edcon.
 Acting – General Manager / Divisional Executive for Finance for 6 months.
 Attending & presenting at Board meetings for Shared Services.
 Partner and Shareholder in Audit firm for 12 years.

WORK EXPERIENCE
CONTACT
EXECUTIVE FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION, GROUP SHARED SERVICES
EDCON LIMITED
March 2016 - Current Pretoria, Gauteng – South Africa
0836288407
Edcon, one of the largest retailers in Southern Africa and true to its 90-year history. A Proudly South blenda@mweb.co.za
African member in the Clothing and Retail sector. Currently in Business Rescue.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/blenda-
Key Functions & Responsibilities: fourie-ca-sa-a392597b/
 Working hand in hand with the COO
 Contribute to the overall success of the organization by effectively managing all financial tasks for
the organization. EDUCATION
 Oversee the quality and content of all financial data, reporting and audit co-ordination for Group
Shared Services.
 Hands-on operational and participating Financial Business Partner. Prepare financial reports, analyze
business performance and contribute to the preparation of financial statements and Board packs.
Matric Certificate
 Lead and develop the Group Business Operations Finance internal team to support the following Afrikaans Hoër Meisiesskool
areas: Group Finance, Operating Divisions within the Group, Inventory, Shipping, inbound and 1988
outbound Logistics, Local and Foreign Sourcing, Quality Assurance, Supply Chain Management,
Corporate and Store Facilities and Procurement. Baccalaureus Commercii (Accountancy)
 Partnering with the senior leadership team in providing strategic decision-making information. University of Pretoria
 Preparation of Divisional financial statements , annual budgets, monthly forecasts and reporting, 1989 -1991
foreign consolidation, internal controls and compliance, capex and cash flow management
 Take care of all financial control, reporting and compliance requirements aligned with business Baccalaureus Commercii (Honores)
strategies. (Accountancy)
 Understanding the impact of new IFRS statements and pronouncements on the business, treatment
University of Pretoria
of all accounting aspects in line with accounting policies.
1992
 Technical accounting of all transactions in line with IFRS, proactively manage changes in accounting
policies where required, development of policies and procedures related to the Financial Accounting
function to ensure they remain relevant. CTA
University of South Africa (UNISA)
Financial Accounting and Reporting 1993
 Prepare all supporting information for the annual audit and liaise with the External Auditors as
necessary. CA (SA) – June 1997
 Document and maintain complete and accurate supporting information for all financial transactions.
 Develop and maintain financial accounting systems for Inventory management. Articles:
 Analyze and present financial reports in an accurate and timely manner; enabling Top Management
to make important decisions on the future of the business.
Viljoen & van Wyk (1993 – 1994)
 Develop, implement, and ensure compliance with internal, financial and accounting policies and
procedures.
 Manage the acquisition of capital assets (CAPEX) and ensure that assets are properly recorded, Cloete & du Toit (1994 – 1996)
amortized, and disposed of as appropriate.

BD CREATIVE
WORK EXPERIENCE SKILLS
 Liaise with the Treasury, Accounts Payable (APBPO / Accenture) and Group Finance / Corporate.
 Review monthly results and implement monthly variance reporting.
 Oversee the Accounting function including maintenance of the general ledger structure and accounts. Financial Management, Statutory
Develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure that personnel and financial information Reporting, Analysis, Planning &
is secure and stored in compliance with Edcon policy. Forecasting
 Develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure that personnel and financial information
is secure and stored in compliance with Edcon policy. Team Management & Development
 Oversee Property Administration and Payments as Acting Divisional Finance Executive(previous
portfolio) Strategy Development & Execution
 Oversee Inventory Administration and Data Integrity (previous portfolio).
Business Process Improvement
Foreign Operations: Off-Shore Responsibility and Reporting
 Finance Business Partner for foreign entities.
Crisis & Change Management
 Oversee the financial operations of foreign subsidiary companies and foreign operations.
 Coordinate and lead the annual audit process, liaise with external auditors and Group Finance.
 Develop and maintain timely and accurate financial statements and reports that are appropriate for Requirement Identification &
the users and in accordance with IFRS. Implementation
 Ensure that all statutory requirements of the Off-Shore subsidiary companies are met.
 Prepare all supporting information for the annual audit and liaise with the External Auditors. Foreign Exchange Operations
 Clearly communicate monthly financial statements for Off-Shore subsidiaries to Group Finance and Management
internal stakeholders.
Risk Management & Governance
Budget & Financial Management
 Establish guidelines for budget and forecast preparation, and prepare the annual budget in Budget Management, Planning &
consultation with the COO and Heads of Departments.
Forecasting
 Manage the capital budgeting process, based on constraint analysis and discounted cash flow
analysis.
 Monitor progress and changes. Human Resources, Transformation & CSI
 Keep senior leadership team abreast of the Business Unit’s financial status. Initiatives
 Preparation of monthly forecasts / Divisional and Business Unit Profit Patterns timeously and
accurately. Payroll Management
 Analyse financial data, trends, needs and project future trends to prepare financial forecasts.
 Challenge cost centre owners on their budgets to achieve business goals. Systems Management &
 Evaluate risk and implement action plans to mitigate risk. Implementation
 Manage organizational cash flow and forecasting.
 Engage in ongoing cost reduction analyses in all areas of the Business Unit. Project Management & Execution
 Deliverables include:
 Management book/pack for corporate in line with the business requirements Stakeholder Relationship Management
 Profit & Loss management and balance sheet where relevant.
 Cost management.
Strategic Management
 Working capital management.
 Functional budget and profit pattern process.
 Financial analysis in such areas as forecasting, budgeting, engaging in cost reduction analysis, and Investigating Variances
reviewing operational performance.
Facilities & Logistics Management
Operations
 Operation optimization: Map root causes and track results to increase the level of efficiencies in Financial Statement Preparation (IFRS)
Group Shared Services.
 Maintain in-depth relations with all members of the management team. Integrated Reporting
 Liaise with third parties performing outsourced functions (Accenture).
 Implement operational best practices. Audit Committee
 Working closely and transparently with all external partners including third-party vendors and
consultants.
Tax & VAT Compliance Management
 Translate financial concepts to colleagues who do not necessarily have finance backgrounds.

Risk Management Debtors, Creditors & Inventory

 Understand and mitigate key elements of the Business Unit’s risk profile. Management
 Ensures continuous process improvement to enable effective operational processes.
 Monitor all open legal issues involving the Business Unit. Contract & Asset Management
 Ensure that the Business Unit complies with all legal and regulatory requirements.
 Ensure that record keeping meets the requirements of Auditors and government agencies. Annual Insurance Declarations
 Effectively communicate and report the critical financial matters to the COO and Divisional Executives
/ Department Heads. Capex Management
 Maintain relations with external Auditors and investigate their findings and implement
recommendations. Financial Administration & Reporting
 Update and implement all necessary business policies and accounting practices; improve the Finance
Management
Department’s overall policy and procedure manual.

Startegic Planning & Analytical Thinking

BD CREATIVE
WORK EXPERIENCE SYSTEMS
People Management
 Team development: Puts significant effort into the development of team and in the creation of a
performance and continuous improvement culture. MS Office Suite
 Team management: lead effectively, develop and energize teams
 Team size: from 5 to 40 staff members Hyperion (Smart view and HFM)
 Communication skills: able to present effectively to Leadership team and to flex the communication
style depending on the audience.
SAP
 Negotiation skills: able to keep people accountable and to influence the implementation of the
agreed action plans.
 Networking skills: able to work remotely with numerous stakeholders and to develop with them Accpac
collaborative relationships.
Pastel
Information Technology
 Evaluate the need for new technology to meet the Business Units’ financial data processing, control, Oracle
and reporting requirements.
 Advise on appropriate technology that meets the Business Units’ information requirements and Pastel Evolution
financial resources
VIP Payroll
Strategic Management
 The development of a financial and operational strategy, metrics tied to that strategy, and the
Cognos
ongoing development and monitoring of control systems designed to preserve Edcon assets.
 Maintain a documented system of accounting policies and procedures.
Teammate
 Research and network with others to adopt functional best practices.

Leadership
Brilliant
 Excellent communication and relationship building skills with an ability to prioritize, negotiate, and
work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
 Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and dedication to the values of Edcon.
 Communicate effectively using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques.
 Anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders to meet or
exceed their expectations within the Edcon parameters.
 Work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problem, and make decisions Additional information required and
that enhance organizational effectiveness. references will be provided upon
 Positively influence others / lead to achieve results that are in the best interest of the Business Unit. request.
 Assess situations to determine the importance, urgency and risks, and make clear decisions which
are timely and in the best interests of Edcon
 Set priorities, develop a work schedule, and monitor progress towards goals, and track details, data,
information and activities.
 Assess problem situations to identify causes, gather and process relevant information, generate
possible solutions, and make recommendations and/or resolve the problem.

Systems:
 Oracle, GL Wand (Oracle & Excel drill-down tools) Hyperion (Smart view & FDM), Think Cell,
Microsoft Office Suite, Retek, MRO, My Focus, VIP Payroll, and sundry in-house software.

FINANCIAL MANAGER
Danone Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd
January 2015 – October 2015

The main activity of Danone Southern Africa is the manufacture and marketing of fresh yoghurts, Maas,
UHT custards and yoghurts and other cultured dairy products. Major brands include Nutriday, Ultra-
Mel, Yogi Sip, Yo-Jelly, Inkomazi, Activia and Danino. Mayo Dairy mainly manufactures and sells drinking
yoghurt and frozen dairy products.

Key Functions & Responsibilities:

 Monitoring of the cash flow for the organization, preparation of balance sheets, income statements,
and budgets, oversee accounting operations and audits, ensuring that the company’s accounting
procedures conform to General Accepted Accounting Principles.
 Provide financial reports and interpret financial information to managerial staff while
recommending further courses of action.
 Advise on investment activities and provide strategies that the company should take.
 Maintain the financial health of the organization.
 Analyze costs, pricing, variable contributions, sales results, and the company’s actual performance
compared to the business plans.
 Conduct reviews and evaluations for cost-reduction opportunities.
 Oversee operations of the finance department, set goals and objectives, and design a framework
for these to be met.
 Manage the preparation of the company’s budget and liaise with auditors to ensure appropriate
monitoring of company finances is maintained.
BD CREATIVE
WORK EXPERIENCE
 Union and wage negotiations
 Research and interpret legislation to ensure compliance with laws, rules and regulations which
fiscally impact departmental programs
 Complete corporate reporting and compliance requirements, including submissions of full monthly
financials, forecasts and key operating statistics
 Research and report on all factors that influence business performance, including identification of
operational risks
 Preparation of annual financial statements
 Produce accurate financial reports to specific deadlines
 Support the Managing Director’s decision making by preparing technical financial reports and
monthly management accounts
 Sign off on all payments and statutory returns
 Report lagging and leading performance indicators to highlight performance issues and concerns
for the business managers in order for them to act quickly and appropriately
 Overheads Reporting - monthly, quarterly and annually
 Providing effective management of all accounting functions with responsibility for all accounting
operations, policies and procedures
 Maintain internal controls and manage, co-ordinate and oversee internal and external audit staff
 Ensure adherence to established procedures, deadlines, and regulatory requirements
 Prepare annual budgets, manage assets, review annual insurances, and ensure effective tax
planning and administration
 Prepare monthly cash flow for the Company and report on variances to budget
 Sign off the weekly wages and monthly payroll
 Support the Business Planning Team in the overall budgeting and estimate process/ reporting to
the Group
 Support Danone Business Planning Team by improving the quality of data in Business Planning
System
 Support Danone Business Planning Team by coordinating Finance lead cross functional projects
 Maintain customer data in Pastel Evolution in order to generate accurate business intelligence sales
reports
 Review material costs in Pastel Evolution in order to generate accurate business intelligence
material cost reports.
 Review all costs on a monthly basis for accuracy and completeness.
 Review and release payments as an authorized signatory.

Systems:
 SAP / Magnitude, Pastel Evolution, Diapason.

HEAD OF FINANCE LOGISTICS, SHIPPING FACILITIES AND REPORTING

Adcock Ingram
March 2008 – December 2014

Adcock Ingram is listed on the JSE and trades in the Pharmaceutical market. Before 25 August 2008,
Adcock Ingram was a wholly owned subsidiary of Tiger Brands. Adcock Ingram is a leading SA
manufacturer, marketer and distributor of healthcare products with a strong presence in over the
counter brands. Its footprint extends to India and other territories in the sub-Saharan Africa (Kenya,
Ghana and other).

Summary of Roles:
 Head of Finance Logistics, Shipping Facilities and Reporting (July 2014 – December 2014)
 Financial Manager Logistics and Facilities (March 2008 – June 2014)

Key Functions & Responsibilities:

 Working hand in hand with Managing Director Logistics.

 Overall responsibility for management of the complete finance function for the Logistics business
(including Facilities and Shipping).
 Demonstrate commercial acumen in areas of improving business performance at a strategic and
practical level as opposed to simply reporting numbers constantly scanning for business and cost &
income improvement opportunities.
 Supporting the MD with growth and sustainability strategies.
 Oversee the reporting process for the business unit, ensuring efficient timely and accurate monthly,
quarterly, interim, and annual financial reports including monitoring actual performance against
budgets, identifying, and investigating variances and interpretation and explanations for variances
and performance.
 Prepare monthly and quarterly forecasts, as well as various finance reports for Board meetings,
including detailed monthly commentary for MD report.
 Other ad-hoc reports prepared as required to support the business in terms of the supply of
financial information for decision making
BD CREATIVE
 WORK EXPERIENCE
 Prepare detailed annual budget, manage financial year-end audit and oversee working capital
management to ensure the correct balance is maintained between over/under investment in
inventories and managing debtors and creditor’s position as pertaining to the business unit.
 Purchase Order approval Hierarchy Management, ensuring full tax compliance of the business unit
including but not limited to monthly VAT submission, and completion of the income tax pack for
group consolidation.
 Critical review of the trial balances at each month end ensuring the accuracy and completeness of
recording of all transactions by all departments and closing balances are reflected accurately and
correctly account of all assets and liabilities that exist at balance sheet date.
 Capex Management / Fixed asset Management, monitoring adherence and adequacy of internal
control systems including but not limited to policies and procedures to prevent / detect material
errors and prevent and detect theft and fraud in the business unit & systems to ensure safeguarding
of the business assets.
 Review of accruals/provisions and correcting journals and the preparation of legal agreements
(suppliers, premises, material handling equipment (MHE), fees and Multi Nationals).

Financial Management and Reporting
 Timely & accurate Financial Reporting
 Monthly CEO Report Supply Chain Operations report, Commentary for Business Review,
management accounts compilation and analysis of management information with variance report
 Preparation and analysis of annual Budgeting process
 Preparation and analysis of rolling forecasts
 Capex - Report on all asset and capital expenditure as well as asset management related
administration for the division
 Projects - custodian of divisional CAPEX applications, motivations and approvals to provide accurate
information for decision-making.
 Project / Expense management for Projects in progress
 Human Capital Management: Custodian of IPA process, auditing portfolio of evidence, scores, etc.
 Legal compliance – reviewing all legal documentation before logging with Legal Helpdesk
 Internal audit – monitoring general financial controls. Reviewing all internal audit reports, audit
ccommittee inserts and reporting on actions plans, etc.
 Maintain the Oracle system with respect to valid GL account combinations.
 PO Approval Hierarchy Management with respect to valid approvers & approval limits
 Month-end Logistics & Facilities Trial Balance Review
 Weekly Capex reporting
 Financial Support to Logistics & Facilities teams Responsible for preparing and compiling annual IFRS
financial statements
 Co-ordinate and liaise with external auditors regarding the scope and manage the audit via a client
assist schedule
 Managing internal audits and preparation of Audit committee report
 Responsible for the co-ordination, estimating and calculation of statutory tax packs
 Responsible for preparing and compiling Monthly Management Accounts
 Prepares monthly commentary on the company’s performance against the current annual budget
and the previous year, with recommendations, graphs and trends.
 Variance analysis of monthly results and year to date results compared to budget and prior years
 Forecasts
 Budgets, including revisions
 Road show packs
 Managing royalty audits for foreign principals
 Information technology – project member and user acceptance testing during the Hyperion scoping
and implementation project
 Cross-function responsibility to provide information on divisional and therapeutic categories to
business heads
 To maintain good relationships with internal and external auditors, suppliers, customers and
stakeholders and overseas principals.
 Core Brand Statements
 Significant Debtors Reports
 Defalcation Reports
 VAT Returns
 Borrowings / Cash Reports
 Profit Estimates
 Approves and authorises payments to service providers
 Test the Intangible Assets for possible impairments and prepare DCF and write-up
 Develops and manages the specifications of standardised financial reports.
 Prepares and verifies the companies’ and reviews the subsidiary companies annual budget
forecasts.
 Develops, introduces and coordinates new financial reporting templates
 Co-ordinate and review Post Implementation Reports.

BD CREATIVE
WORK EXPERIENCE
Systems:
 Microsoft Office Suite, AccPacc, VIP Payroll, Hyperion (Smart view & FDM), Oracle, GL Wand (Oracle
& Excel drill-down tools),Cognos, Pastel Accounting, Team Mate, Brilliant (Auditing) Premier
(Auditing,) sundry in-house software

FINANCE EXECUTIVE
Kagisano Limited
May 2007 – February 2008

Kagisano Limited was listed on the Alt-X stock exchange and traded in the Financial Services sector.

Key Functions & Responsibilities:

 Upgrading of the finance department to be in line with the listing process, which was in progress,
the company listed in July 2007.
 Responsible for appointment staff members, creating and implementing new policies and
procedures and setting up of mini departments within finance reporting directly to me.
 Assisting with annual audit and reducing audit time to 6 weeks by realizing efficiencies.
 Project owner for change over from Pastel accounting to AccPacc accounting and reporting.
 Liaising with all other departments (branch network of 110 outlets and reviewing of production
reports, etc.).
 Vetting and verification of internal controls for assessment of accuracy and completeness done on
a monthly basis.
 Responsible for financial reports, trial balance, balance sheets, income statement and
debtors/creditors age analysis are available monthly for decision making.
 Oversee all statutory requirements such as VAT returns, Paye/UIF/WCA/skills levies and Company
taxation are met, and reports/returns reflect accurate information.

AUDIT MANAGER
Auditor General
October 2005 – April 2007

Key Functions & Responsibilities:

 Manage all audits in the portfolio, and to provide on the job training to a team of SAICA registered
trainees
 Manager for the National Department of Housing, Municipal Infrastructure Unit and the Municipal
Demarcation Board and SALGA.
 Attending audit committee meetings.
 Review of annual reports and integrated reporting.

Notable Achievement:
 Passed IRBA review 2005-06 for The National Department of Housing and obtained “green card” for
the next review period.

ENGAGEMENT QUALITY CONTROL REVIEWER

Auditor General
June 2005 – September 2005

Key Functions & Responsibilities:

 Perform Pre-issuance quality control reviews for the following Audittee’s of the Auditor General:
- Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
- National Lottery Distribution Fund (NLDTF)
- Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB)
- Companies and Intellectual Property Registration Office(CIPRO)
- National Gambling Board (NGB)
- Registration of Deeds (DEEDS)
- Office of the Public Protector (OPP)
- Department of Land Affairs (DLA)
- Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)
- Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
- National Lotteries Board (NLB)
- Monies in Trust (MIT)
- Guardian’s Fund

SHAREHOLDER and PARTNER/ AUDIT SENIOR / TRAINEE ACCOUNTANT

Cloete & Fourie Inc / Cloete & Du Toit / Viljoen & van Wyk
January 1993 – June 2005

BD CREATIVE