James R.
Accountant
Notable Highlight
FCCA leading complex global audits at a previous company across 50+ international locations, managing US GAAP, PCAOB, and IFRS compliance for multinational clients and listed entities.
Experience Summary
James is a Chartered Accountant and audit professional with 13+ years of experience across audit, financial reporting, accounting operations, compliance, and corporate governance. Most recently at a previous company, he specialized in complex global audits for US and UK-listed multinational entities, working across multi-billion-dollar organizations with operations spanning 50+ countries. Prior to this, he held senior accounting and group reporting positions where he managed consolidated financial statements, budgeting, forecasting, treasury management, payroll, and full-cycle accounting operations. He brings deep expertise in IFRS, UK GAAP, PCAOB compliance, reconciliations, audit leadership, and financial process optimization across industries including financial services, manufacturing, real estate, FMCG, hospitality, and technology.
Key Achievements
- At a previous company, James played a key role in the global statutory audit of Accenture, supporting audits across 152 companies operating in over 50 countries for a multinational generating more than B in annual revenue. He managed complex compliance requirements involving IFRS, US GAAP, PCAOB, and UK reporting standards while coordinating with international audit teams across multiple jurisdictions. - As a Group Reporting Accountant at Gre. stone Consulting Group, he led consolidated reporting, budgeting, treasury, and compliance processes for multiple entities, implementing standardized financial controls and reconciliation frameworks that improved reporting accuracy, strengthened governance, and enhanced executive decision-making. - Throughout his career, James has consistently led and mentored audit and accounting teams of up to 10 professionals, overseeing complex month-end close processes, high-risk audit areas, and multinational reporting engagements while ensuring compliance, operational efficiency, and timely financial delivery across fast-paced corporate environments.
Skills
Financial Reporting & Consolidations, Management Accounts & Variance Analysis, Audit Management & Risk Assessment, IFRS, UK GAAP, FRS102, FRS105, PCAOB Compliance, Budgeting, Forecasting & Treasury Management, Internal Controls & Corporate Governance, Accounts Payable & Accounts Receivable, Payroll Administration & Tax Compliance, Intercompany Reconciliations, Fixed Asset Management, Month-End & Year-End Close, KPI Reporting & Financial Analysis, Team Leadership & Stakeholder Management, ERP & Accounting Systems, QuickBooks, Xero, Sage, IRIS, Microsoft Excel & Financial Modeling
Work Experience
Senior Manager
KGSACOE(A · Jan 2024 – Current
- Lead multiple complex audit engagements for multinational clients encompassing high-value accounts and diverse operational structures.
- Lead fieldwork and keep engagement managers updated on audits.
- Accurately report on financial statements and provide meaningful insights into accounting and reporting matters.
- Manage Global Statutory Reporting compliance across US GAAP, PCAOB, UK GAAP, FRS102, FRS105, IRIS and IFRS, specializing in audits for US and UK Listed Entities.
- Collaborate and coordinate with global member firms across up to 50 international locations to deliver consistent, efficient, and integrated global audits.
- Perform and review complex audit areas (share-based payments, revenue recognition, impairments, fair value measurements), consistently ensuring compliance with relevant accounting and auditing standards (e.g., ISA, IFRS, IAS, PCAOB).
- Engage clients and provide authoritative advice and professionalism throughout transactions.
- Direct and mentor audit teams of 3–10 professionals.
- Review and approve team members' work, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and adherence to firm methodology and regulatory compliance.
- Complete audit processes and document higher-risk areas.
Audit Senior
PASA · Jan 2022 – Dec 2023 · South Africa
- Led fieldwork and kept engagement managers updated on audits.
- Managed and mentored audit teams of 3–8 staff, allocating responsibilities and rigorously reviewing performance to ensure quality and professional development.
- Accurately reported on financial statements and provided insights into accounting and reporting matters.
- Engaged clients and provided advice and professionalism throughout transactions.
- Ensured timely completion of all audit engagements, consistently meeting deadlines and submitting detailed audit reports to Audit Managers/Partners.
- Presented critical audit findings and strategic recommendations to senior management and stakeholders, developing actionable plans to enhance internal controls and business efficiency.
- Constantly developed understanding of current market trends.
Group Reporting Accountant (Manufacturing)
GSC( · Jan 2020 – Dec 2021 · South Africa
- Oversaw preparation and timely submission of consolidated statutory financial statements, ensuring absolute compliance with IFRS and the Companies Act.
- Produced accurate and timely consolidated monthly management accounts, providing the Board and executive team with critical data to enable swift and effective decision-making.
- Conducted detailed monthly variance analysis (Revenue, COS, OPEX vs. Prior Year/Budget), delivering insightful commentaries and identifying areas for cost reduction and operational improvement that increased company profitability.
- Analyzed financial performance against Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), generating executive-level financial highlights that clearly measured progress against strategic budgets.
- Managed the group's treasury and working capital management, consistently maintaining optimal liquidity to meet all critical obligations, including managing customer credit ratings and optimizing cash collections from accounts receivable.
- Streamlined the comprehensive budgeting process by developing standardized templates and guidelines, consolidating budgets, and presenting the final plan to the shareholder.
- Oversaw the Group compliance framework, encompassing taxation, IFRS, Companies Act, and Corporate Governance, minimizing regulatory risk across all operations.
- Conducted regular reviews and enhancements of Group internal controls, ensuring adequacy and relevance in line with evolving business processes and effectively safeguarding company assets, including cash.
- Reviewed monthly audit files to ensure completeness, accuracy, and adherence to internal and external audit standards.
Senior Accountant
IECA · Jan 2016 – Dec 2019 · South Africa
- Managed all intercompany reconciliation activities, specifically for complex intercompany bank transfers and intercompany loans, ensuring balanced and compliant accounts across multiple entities.
- Maintained the Fixed Asset Register (FAR), accurately processing all asset additions, disposals, and calculating monthly depreciation in line with accounting standards.
- Performed and reconciled the Fixed Asset sub-ledger to the General Ledger/Trial Balance monthly, ensuring data integrity and accuracy.
- Monitored and analyzed results from accounting systems to identify and resolve financial discrepancies and significant variances, initiating timely corrective actions.
- Evaluated the business's working capital position (including inventory and receivables) and provided strategic recommendations to management for optimizing cash flow and liquidity.
- Administered the full payroll function, including accurate calculation, data input into payroll systems, and preparation of corresponding monthly journal entries.
- Proactively partnered with client management and staff at all levels to gather critical information, resolve accounting-related issues, and enhance operational processes.
- Maintained and strengthened effective working relationships with clients and stakeholders to ensure high customer satisfaction and smooth information exchange.
- Prepared specialized financial documentation, including loan files, loan certificates, and share certificates, ensuring compliance and proper record keeping.
- Assisted in the management of inventory (stock), including costing, pricing strategies, optimizing stock levels, and overseeing periodic physical stock takes.
- Executed physical fixed asset verification and asset tagging procedures, ensuring completeness and accuracy of the fixed assets database.
Associate Consultant (Accountant)
Nap. · Jan 2013 – Dec 2015 · South Africa
- Executed all day-to-day accounting activities for various clients, ensuring accuracy and timeliness across all ledgers.
- Prepared detailed schedules and reconciliations for significant account balances, supporting month-end and year-end close processes.
- Demonstrated and applied sound technical knowledge of IFRS/Generally Accepted Accounting Standards in all accounting and analysis work.
- Managed the full cycle of Accounts Payable (AP) and Accounts Receivable (AR), including verifying, allocating, posting, and reconciling balances.
- Produced accurate and error-free accounting reports and analyses, clearly summarizing the financial status and reporting results to management.
- Assisted in the preparation of financial statements and performed detailed budget analysis to monitor performance against targets.