Publication
What Does a CFO Do? The Evolving Role and Responsibilities
https://www.toptal.com/management-consultants/interim-cfos/role-of-the-cfo
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Hire JanJan Griesel
Verified Expert in Management Consulting
Management Consulting Expert
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Toptal member since March 19, 2026
Bio
Fractional CFO and chartered accountant (CA(SA), CGMA) helping venture-backed startups scale through strategic finance. I have supported companies in fundraising, financial modeling, and operational finance. Founder of a Virtual CFO firm and former startup CFO focused on improving unit economics, cash runway, and investor readiness.
Career Highlights
Co-Founder & Chief Financial Officer
DataSense Analytics (Pty) Ltd
Founder & Virtual CFO
The Finance Block
Chief Financial Officer
MST (now Guud Global)
Education Highlights
Bachelor's of Accounting Honours
Stellenbosch University
Honours Bachelors Degree in Economics
North-West University
Certification Highlights
Fathom Certified Advisor
Fathom
Expertise
- Blockchain
- Cash Flow
- Decentralized Finance (DeFi)
- Financial Leadership
- Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)
- Fractional CFO
- Seed Fundraising
- Startups
Work Experience
Co-Founder & Chief Financial Officer
2025 - PRESENT
DataSense Analytics (Pty) Ltd
- Led financial strategy and planning for a data analytics consultancy, developing financial models supporting multi-year revenue growth and project profitability analysis.
- Implemented budgeting and rolling forecasting processes that improved management visibility into cash flow and project profitability.
- Advised executive leadership on capital allocation, risk management, and long-term financial planning initiatives.
Focus areas: Startups, Seed Fundraising, Fundraising Strategy, Microsoft, Financial Statement Analysis, Financial Modeling, Business Strategy, Microsoft Excel, Three-statement Modeling, Bookkeeping, Revenue & Expense Projections, Financial Analysis, Growth Hacking
Founder & Virtual CFO
2017 - PRESENT
The Finance Block
- Founded a virtual CFO advisory practice providing financial leadership to startups and growth-stage businesses across multiple industries.
- Developed complex financial models used by founders to support capital raising, valuation analysis, and strategic planning.
- Advised startup founders and executive teams on budgeting, financial strategy, and operational finance improvements.
- Implemented cloud-based accounting systems and reporting frameworks that improved financial transparency and reporting efficiency.
- Supported due diligence and financial analysis processes during venture capital and strategic investment discussions.
- Delivered financial planning, forecasting, and cash-flow management solutions that improved financial discipline in early-stage companies.
Focus areas: Startups, Cash Flow, Seed Fundraising, Early-stage Venture Capital, Financial Leadership, Google, Microsoft, Financial Statement Analysis, Fractional CFO, Financial Modeling, Business Strategy, Excel Modeling, Microsoft Excel, Three-statement Modeling, Bookkeeping, Revenue & Expense Projections, Financial Analysis, Growth Hacking
Chief Financial Officer
2016 - 2017
MST (now Guud Global)
- Managed investor and board reporting, delivering financial insights to support strategic decision-making.
- Strengthened governance and financial control processes to support organisational growth and compliance requirements.
- Built the company’s financial infrastructure, including budgeting, financial reporting, and internal control frameworks.
Focus areas: Financial Infrastructure, Sage ERP, Internal Control, IFRS Financial Reporting, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Microsoft, Financial Statement Analysis, ERP Implementation, Financial Modeling, Excel Modeling, Microsoft Excel, Bookkeeping, Revenue & Expense Projections, Financial Analysis
ERP Implementation Consultant
2015 - 2016
iPlan Global
- Implemented ERP and cloud accounting systems for startups and SMEs, improving financial reporting accuracy and operational efficiency.
- Led end-to-end ERP implementation projects, including requirements analysis, system configuration, data migration, and user training.
- Configured accounting and financial reporting modules to align with IFRS and management reporting requirements.
- Migrated financial data from legacy accounting systems into cloud platforms such as Xero, Sage, and QuickBooks.
- Trained finance teams and operational staff on ERP usage, internal controls, and financial reporting processes.
Focus areas: ERP Implementation, Data Migration, Excel 2016, Excel Modeling, Microsoft Excel, Bookkeeping
Other Experience
Education
2012 - 2013
Bachelor's of Accounting Honours in Accounting
Stellenbosch University - Stellenbosch
2009 - 2011
Bachelor's Degree in Accounting Sciences in Accounting Sciences
University of South Africa - Cape Town
2006 - 2006
Honours Bachelors Degree in Economics in Economics
North-West University - Potchefstroom
2003 - 2005
BCom Economics & International Trade in Economics
North-West University - Potchefstroom
Certifications
APRIL 2026 - PRESENT
Blockchain Mastery
EPS Business School
APRIL 2026 - PRESENT
Intro to Regulatory Risks and Frameworks
Binance
APRIL 2026 - PRESENT
Blockchain Beginner Track
Binance
FEBRUARY 2024 - PRESENT
Fathom Certified Advisor
Fathom
SEPTEMBER 2023 - PRESENT
Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Specialization
Corporate Finance Institute CFI
OCTOBER 2018 - PRESENT
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
CIMA
AUGUST 2017 - PRESENT
Xero Certified Advisor
Xero
APRIL 2015 - PRESENT
Chartered Accountant (South Africa)
SAICA
Skills
Finance
Taxation, Management Accounting, Valuation, Financial Reporting, Accounting, Direct Taxation, Indirect Taxation, Seed Fundraising, Cash Flow, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Financial Management, Forecasting, Financial Modeling, Three-statement Modeling, Revenue & Expense Projections, Corporate Finance, Microeconomics, Blockchain, Anti-money Laundering (AML)
Output Software
Excel 2016, Google Sheets, Microsoft Excel
Data & Analysis Software
QuickBooks Online, Xero Accounting
Industry Expertise
Macroeconomics, Tokenomics
Other
Xero, Financial Management and Reporting, Risk-based Auditing, Strategy, Cost Accounting, Auditing, Startups, Fundraising Strategy, Financial Leadership, Financial Infrastructure, Internal Control, IFRS Financial Reporting, Advanced Financial Reporting, Advanced Audit and Assurance, Advanced Management Accounting, Advanced Taxation, Financial strategy, Strategic & Commercial Thinking, Leadership & Business Partnering, Financial Statement Analysis, ERP Implementation, Fractional CFO, Consolidation, Analytics, Data Migration, Digital Finance, Excel Modeling, Bookkeeping, Microsoft, Syspro, Google, Sage ERP, Business Management, Financial Mathematics, Slack, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Early-stage Venture Capital, Risk Management & Governance, Data, Technology & Digital Finance, Advanced Financial Modelling & Decision Support, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), Business Strategy, Decentralized Finance (DeFi), Growth Hacking, Microsoft Power BI, Stripe, Economics, Commercial Law, Econometrics, Monetary Economics, International Trade Theory, International Trade Policy, Econometrics or Economic Modelling, Carbon Accounting, ESG Disclosure, Materiality Assessment, Environmental Social Governance, Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAO), Non-fungible Tokens (NFT), Web 3.0, Cryptocurrency, Metaverse, Decentralised applications, Travel Rule, Cryptocurrency Regulation, Tokenization, Smart Contracts, Stablecoins, Tokenization Regulation, Financial Analysis
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