Blessing Nyabadza, Finance Expert in Johannesburg South, Gauteng, South Africa
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Blessing Nyabadza

Verified Expert  in Finance

Finance Expert

Location
Johannesburg South, Gauteng, South Africa
Toptal Member Since
October 12, 2021

Blessing is a decisive, versatile, and detail-oriented Charted Certified Accountant (ACCA) with 16 years of experience overseeing accounting functions and enabling clients to maximize value and build sustainable businesses. Her roles include senior financial analyst at Trilogy, CFO at FedEx, and accountant at DHL International. In addition to advancing business plans, Blessing meticulously gathers and analyzes complex data to identify and address discrepancies and opportunities.

Corporate GovernanceInterim Financial ControllerFinancial ForecastingFinancial ReportingFinancial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)Revenue & Expense ProjectionsFinancial ModelingMarket Research AnalystValuationPayrollAnnual ReportAccounts ReceivableManagement AccountingInternal Audit

Career Highlights

Senior Financial Analyst
Trilogy
CFO
FedEx
Finance Manager
Celsys Limited

Education Highlights

Masters Degree
University of South Africa

Certification Highlights

Chartered Financial Accountant (FCCA)
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)

Case Studies

Work Experience

Senior Financial Analyst

2019 - 2021
Trilogy
  • Authored a detailed playbook with best practices that served as a valuable reference for the accounts receivable team.
  • Oversaw the reconciliation of intercompany and debtor balances of approximately $1 billion, which improved collaboration across finance functions.
  • Automated repetitive tasks within the accounts receivable team, significantly reducing the time spent on collections.
  • Performed due diligence to verify financial details of acquisition prospects.
Focus areas: Accounts Receivable, Reconciliation, Analysis, Collection, Procurement, Controller, Revenue Recognition, Profit & Loss (P&L), Balance Sheet Optimization, Trial Balance, Chart of Accounts, Reports, Management Reporting, Audits, Debtor & Creditor Management, Financial Statements, Financial Accounting, Accounting, Three-statement Modeling, Management Accounting, Confluence, Jira, Zendesk, NetSuite, Google Docs, Microsoft Excel, US GAAP, Financial Controls & Processes

CFO

2014 - 2019
FedEx
  • Reversed fines amounting to $800,000 that tax authorities had erroneously levied in prior years. The reversals were achieved through copious preparation of reconciliation schedules and timely responses to all queries.
  • Reduced financial reporting time by five days by fully automating the finance function.
  • Led the team that implemented the merger of TNT and FedEx within Zimbabwe.
  • Set up and maintained a robust internal control system that led to a cost saving of approximately 30%.
  • Conducted due diligence to support the purchase of a small local customs clearing company.
Focus areas: Accounting, Corporate Governance, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Management, Revenue & Expense Projections, Financial Modeling, Microsoft Excel, Business Planning, Sage ERP, Financial Statements, Cash Flow, Debtor & Creditor Management, Mentorship & Coaching, Payroll & Benefits, Risk Analysis, Asset Valuation, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Stakeholder Management, Taxation, Audits, Controller, Strategy, Revenue Recognition, Profit & Loss (P&L), Balance Sheet Optimization, Trial Balance, Chart of Accounts, Accounts Payable, Reporting, Reports, Board Reporting, Procurement, Collection, Team Mentoring, Management Reporting, IFRS Financial Reporting, Forecasting, Auditing, Financial Accounting, Leadership, Three-statement Modeling, Management Accounting, Budgeting, Sage, Google Docs, Microsoft PowerPoint, Supply Chain Management (SCM), Contract Review, Accounts Receivable, Reconciliation, Analysis, Interim Financial Controller, Internal Audits, Financial Controls & Processes, Controllership/Accounting

Finance Manager

2012 - 2013
Celsys Limited
  • Performed financial analysis that was vital for the scheme of an arrangement in which a major shareholder acquired the shares of minority shareholders.
  • Significantly reduced annual audit fees by $50,000 through meticulous preparation of audit files and timely responses to audit queries.
  • Increased gross profit margins by 5% through diligent supplier and operational efficiency management.
  • Obtained and managed the company's ISO 9001:2008 certification process.
  • Built financial models to drive budgeting and pricing decisions.
  • Developed pricing strategies based on competitive analysis, return targets, and revenue and expense projections.
Focus areas: Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Cash Flow, Audits, Supply Chain Management (SCM), ISO 9001, Financial Modeling, Pricing, Financial Reporting, Forecasting, Revenue & Expense Projections, Small & Medium-sized Enterprises (SME), Contract Review, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), IFRS Financial Reporting, Team Mentoring, Valuation, Stakeholder Management, Management Reporting, Controller, Strategy, Manufacturing, Revenue Recognition, Profit & Loss (P&L), Balance Sheet Optimization, Trial Balance, Chart of Accounts, Annual Reports, VAT Return Preparation, Accounts Payable, Reporting, Reports, Board Reporting, Procurement, Collection, Risk Analysis, Mentorship & Coaching, Debtor & Creditor Management, Financial Statements, Business Planning, Auditing, Financial Accounting, Accounting, Leadership, Corporate Governance, Management, Three-statement Modeling, Management Accounting, Budgeting, Payroll & Benefits, Pastel, Google Docs, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel, Accounts Receivable, Reconciliation, Analysis, Accounting System Migrations, Interim Financial Controller, Financial Controls & Processes, Controllership/Accounting

Divisional Finance Manager

2009 - 2011
Interfresh Limited
  • Raised $5 million to recapitalize the business, which involved preparing the necessary financial documentation and sourcing the required approvals.
  • Carried out a viability analysis for 52 branches, resulting in the amalgamation of some branches and closure of seven branches.
  • Led a project to implement the Sage Pastel Evolution accounting package and migrate from the SYSPRO and Pastel Partner accounting packages. This change reduced the month-end close reporting deadline to five days.
  • Hired, managed, and mentored new employees; carried out quarterly performance reviews; and ensured that a succession planning program was in place.
Focus areas: Financial Reporting, Management Reporting, Board Reporting, Mentorship & Coaching, Due Diligence, Accounting System Migrations, Recapitalization, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Controller, Strategy, Manufacturing, Revenue Recognition, Profit & Loss (P&L), Balance Sheet Optimization, Trial Balance, Chart of Accounts, VAT Return Preparation, Accounts Payable, Reporting, Reports, Procurement, Collection, Team Mentoring, IFRS Financial Reporting, Small & Medium-sized Enterprises (SME), Audits, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Risk Analysis, Debtor & Creditor Management, Cash Flow, Financial Statements, Business Planning, Forecasting, Auditing, Financial Accounting, Accounting, Leadership, Corporate Governance, Management, Three-statement Modeling, Revenue & Expense Projections, Management Accounting, Budgeting, Payroll & Benefits, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel, Supply Chain Management (SCM), Contract Review, Accounts Receivable, Reconciliation, Analysis, Interim Financial Controller, Internal Audits, Financial Controls & Processes, Controllership/Accounting

Accountant

2006 - 2008
Imara Capital Africa
  • Reduced expenses by $200,000+ per year by streamlined several procurement contracts.
  • Wrote reports for client distribution, including market commentary, investor positioning, and political risk assessments.
  • Collaborated with external auditors to complete timely and successful audits and annual audited financial statements.
Focus areas: Financial Reporting, Financial Modeling, Market Research Analyst, Taxation, Reports, Audits, Procurement, Budgeting, Cash Flow, Risk Analysis, Accounting System Migrations, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Revenue Recognition, Company Research, Profit & Loss (P&L), Trial Balance, Chart of Accounts, VAT Return Preparation, Management Reporting, IFRS Financial Reporting, Small & Medium-sized Enterprises (SME), Debtor & Creditor Management, Financial Statements, Sage ERP, Auditing, Financial Accounting, Accounting, Sage, Microsoft Excel, Reconciliation, Financial Controls & Processes

Accountant - South, East & Central Africa

2003 - 2006
DHL International
  • Updated supplier account reconciliations, which had been deemed irreconcilable in prior years.
  • Prepared and reviewed monthly management accounts by gathering information from various team members on a tight schedule every month, compiling the results, and reporting within three working days after the month-end close.
  • Oversaw standard cost setting, variance reporting, and operational budgets for countries within South, East, and Central Africa.
  • Built a dynamic three-statement operating model that included five years of financial projections.
Focus areas: Reporting, Financial Modeling, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, IFRS Financial Reporting, Reconciliation, Annual Reports, Auditing, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Revenue Recognition, Profit & Loss (P&L), Trial Balance, Chart of Accounts, Reports, Management Reporting, Audits, Debtor & Creditor Management, Financial Statements, Financial Accounting, Accounting, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel, Internal Audits, Financial Controls & Processes
2013 - 2016

Masters Degree in Leadership

University of South Africa - Pretoria, South Africa

2000 - 2004

Bachelor's Degree (Hons) in Accounting

University of Zimbabwe - Harare, Zimbabwe

MARCH 2009 - PRESENT

Chartered Financial Accountant (FCCA)

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)

Collaboration That Works

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