Johann is available for hire
Hire JohannJohann Eichstadt
Verified Expert in Product Management
Product Manager
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Toptal member since March 13, 2023
Bio
Johann is a Chartered Accountant (SA), passionate about implementing quality solutions, optimized business processes, and lean workflows. He has led migration, new implementation, remediation, and optimization projects, fulfilling roles as a program manager, implementation specialist, business analyst, and test coordinator. As a subject matter expert, Johann has also delivered several successful Loan IQ and Front Arena projects.
Project Highlights
Loan IQ ARR Implementations
Led the team in implementing Loan IQ 7.5.1.5 with the Alternative Reference Rates (ARR) module to replace London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR).
Loan IQ Client Review and Remediation
Completed a detailed functional review of the client's use of the Loan IQ platform, provided a remediation roadmap, and assisted the client in implementing the items identified during the remediation.
Loan IQ Implementation | Tier 1 South African Bank
Implemented Loan IQ for the CIB division of a local Tier 1 bank, leading all discussions and issue resolution and providing interface development and reporting recommendations.
Expertise
- Business Analysis
- Loan IQ
- Loans & Lending
- Product Management
- Regression Testing
- Software Testing
- Strategy
- Training
Work Experience
Loan IQ Functional Consultant
2020 - PRESENT
Self-employed
- Implemented Loan IQ's ARR module with two clients.
- Built and tested the ARR calculation methodology to independently verify against the system Loan IQ.
- Trained clients on the effective use of the Loan IQ ARR module.
- Conducted a review of the client's use of Loan IQ and recommended a remediation plan to maximize its use across the organization.
- Defined and implemented a COVID-19 loan assistance program for a client on Loan IQ.
Loan IQ Lead Functional Consultant
2015 - 2020
Finastra
- Implemented Loan IQ version 7.4.1 for Nedbank Ltd in South Africa.
- Conducted all accounting and business configurations and organized workshops with the customer to set up a base Loan IQ.
- Tested Loan IQ against a set of test cases and expected results to ensure it meets business specifications.
- Supported users during system verification testing and user acceptance testing.
- Managed the relationship with the vendor through regular update calls, issue resolution meetings, and escalation calls.
- Defined the implementation plan, decommissioning strategy, and migration plan with the client.
- Provided support during and up to six months after go-live.
- Offered insight into downstream processes and effective ways of integration, including limited advice on database model and structure.
- Documented, tested, and implemented new regional-specific VAT requirements as part of the system enhancements. This was done in conjunction with the upgrade to version 7.4.7.4.
Independent Consultant
2013 - 2015
Adept Advisory
- Implemented the Front Arena trading system on location for Barclays Bank in Egypt and Zimbabwe.
- Completed the accounting change management process through a gap analysis of current and new systems, building the new accounting engine and related reporting processes, including net operating profit, P&L reporting, and cash and risk management.
- Assisted the client in defining the scope and target proof-of-concept country and methodology for upgrading the accounting system at ActionAid International.
- Performed an ERP system review for a local leather and luxury goods importer and recommended to the investor board the system to be implemented.
Business Owner, Loan IQ Lending Administration System
2008 - 2013
Investec Group
- Agreed the Loan IQ product strategy with Exco and handled the implementation against the agreed strategy.
- Documented, tested, and implemented enhancements to Loan IQ to incorporate region-specific interest capitalization methodology.
- Enhanced Loan IQ's use by onboarding private bank lending transactions.
- Provided full vendor management, including handling escalations, product negotiations, and issue management.
- Oversaw initial implementation, testing, migration, and decommissioning strategies and execution thereof.
CIB Lending Operations Manager
2006 - 2008
Investec Group
- Drove the full specialized finance loan lifecycle from the loan's initial drawdown to maturity and the release of the required collateral.
- Supervised the middle office function, including loan disbursement, loan servicing, and collateral and covenant management.
- Managed the interface with the credit and risk departments, customer KYC, and payment and cash reconciliation platforms.
Migration Manager
2002 - 2006
Old Mutual
- Migrated over 100 funds to the new Compass Pension fund administration system.
- Managed the data cleanup team covering data quality checks, data validation, and reasonability checks before fund migration.
- Oversaw the IT team working on extracting, transforming, and loading data from the old to the new system, including detailed hash total checks and balances.
- Supervised the team working on the Pension fund rules changes and payroll updates to incorporate the new payroll interface.
Trainee Accountant
1994 - 2006
PwC
- Completed three years of post-qualification articles with a Top 5 audit firm.
- Managed various client audits in the FMCG, leisure, government departments, and manufacturing environments.
- Led a team of trainee accountants on various audit and accounting assignments.
Derivatives Operations Manager
1998 - 2002
JPMorgan Chase
- Provided full support to the derivatives trading desk, including trade confirmation and settlement.
- Performed daily P&L projection and reconciliation with the trading desk.
- Carried out settlement via SWIFT and payment reconciliations with back office systems.
Accountant | Operations Analyst
1997 - 1998
Freelance
- Engaged in various part-time roles at Deutsche Bank and HSBC in operations, accounting, and the project office.
- Completed E2E testing on the accounting aspects for fixed-income instruments.
- Accomplished the cleanup and ongoing reconciliation of the bond borrow or lending book to the clearing house.
Project History
Loan IQ ARR Implementations
Led the team in implementing Loan IQ 7.5.1.5 with the Alternative Reference Rates (ARR) module to replace London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR).
I built and tested the calculation methodology in Excel to match the regulators and verify system calculations against the models for the known ARR methods. I also managed the ARR module testing, including the regression testing, before handover to the customer.
Additionally, I supported the customer through testing and go-live on the latest version of Loan IQ. The project went live in time for the December 2021 LIBOR replacement, and the customer experienced only minimal issues during the migration from LIBOR to ARR.
Additionally, I supported the customer through testing and go-live on the latest version of Loan IQ. The project went live in time for the December 2021 LIBOR replacement, and the customer experienced only minimal issues during the migration from LIBOR to ARR.
Loan IQ Client Review and Remediation
Completed a detailed functional review of the client's use of the Loan IQ platform, provided a remediation roadmap, and assisted the client in implementing the items identified during the remediation.
I performed a detailed review of the client environment, examining the set up and configuration, licensed modules, and current business processes. As a result, I identified process inefficiencies and unused modules that could add value and recommended an approach to implement and optimize the system's use. I also assisted the customer in implementing and showing the value added.
Loan IQ Implementation | Tier 1 South African Bank
Implemented Loan IQ for the CIB division of a local Tier 1 bank, leading all discussions and issue resolution and providing interface development and reporting recommendations.
I was selected to lead the implementation based on my previous implementations and project experience on Loan IQ. I led all workshops to plan and build the configuration, migration strategy, testing strategy, and go-live implementation and rollout. I also drove all discussions, issue resolution, and monthly management meetings between the client and the vendor.
Additionally, I was a member of the steering committee representing the vendor implementation team. I provided advice and recommendations regarding interface development, extracts, and reporting and was the sole liaison with the client accounting team during the implementation.
Additionally, I was a member of the steering committee representing the vendor implementation team. I provided advice and recommendations regarding interface development, extracts, and reporting and was the sole liaison with the client accounting team during the implementation.
Education
1993 - 1993
Honors Degree in Accounting
University of Pretoria - Pretoria, South Africa
1990 - 1992
Bachelor's Degree in Accounting
University of Pretoria - Pretoria, South Africa
Certifications
DECEMBER 1996 - PRESENT
Chartered Accountant (SA)
South African Institute of Chartered Accountants
Skills
Tools
ETL
Paradigms
Software Testing, E2E Testing
Other
Loans & Lending, Accounting, Business Analysis, Product Management, Software Implementation, Regression Testing, Data Migration, Training, Strategy, Client Services, Investment Banking, Data Quality Management, Loan IQ, Project Design, Derivatives, Fixed Income, Foreign Exchange, Auditing
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