Jan Griesel, Management Consultant in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
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Jan Griesel

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
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
CIMA
Chartered Accountant (South Africa)
SAICA

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

Image of What Does a CFO Do? The Evolving Role and Responsibilities publication
Publication

What Does a CFO Do? The Evolving Role and Responsibilities

https://www.toptal.com/management-consultants/interim-cfos/role-of-the-cfo

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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