Andre Bruyns
Port Louis,PL
Summary
With over 23 years of experience in the commercial sector, a strategic and dynamic business executive combines financial expertise with strategic planning to drive sustainable growth and operational efficiency. Holding CPA Australia credentials and an MBA from the Australian Institute of Business, expertise has been demonstrated in managing P&L, cash flow, budgeting, and capital management as the CFO of a multinational fertilizer import, blending, and distribution company. Strategic financial initiatives have significantly improved profitability and efficiency, ensuring regulatory compliance and maintaining strong internal controls. Experience includes leading M&A activities, securing project finance, and driving operational improvements across sub-Saharan Africa, enhancing efficiency and mitigating financial risks. A holistic approach spans financial operations, sales, marketing, and stakeholder engagement, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement. Committed to supporting the company's growth objectives and achieving operational excellence, this seasoned Chief Financial Officer focuses on helping companies accomplish missions and drive growth, adept at navigating complex financial challenges with an expansion-minded outlook.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Chief Treasury & Finance Officer
Meridian Group Ltd
03.2016 - Current
- Strategic Financial Leadership: Develop and execute financial strategies aligned with the company's growth objectives, working closely with the Senior Leadership Team and directors
- Provide financial strategic recommendations and advice on long-term business and financial planning
- Lead the budgeting and forecasting processes, ensuring alignment with the company's goals
- Oversee the preparation of all financial reporting, including management accounts, annual consolidated financial statements, and compliance reporting
- Financial Management and Reporting: Manage all financial operations, including P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow, and Year-end reporting, ensuring accuracy and compliance with accounting standards and regulations
- Oversee the preparation of all taxation returns and ensure tax compliance and planning in collaboration with company accountants
- Implement and maintain robust internal controls to safeguard company assets
- Operational and Commercial Decision Support: Provide commercial insight and strategic advice in relation to key customer and supplier interactions
- Collaborate cross-functionally with the wider business to drive commercial decision-making and monitor financial performance versus projections
- Assist with implementing feasibilities into new projects, including preparation of cash flows, calculation of rates of return, and determination of capital requirements
- Cash Flow and Capital Management: Manage cash flow to ensure liquidity and financial stability, optimizing working capital and managing credit facilities
- Secure necessary project finance and manage the company's capital requirements
- Team Leadership and Development: Provide leadership, direction, and management to the finance and accounting team, fostering a culture of accountability and excellence
- Mentor and develop the finance team, encouraging continuous improvement and high performance
- Corporate Governance and Compliance: Oversee and maintain the company's corporate governance systems, making recommendations for improvements and enhancements
- Ensure compliance with all statutory and regulatory requirements, including managing relationships with external auditors and financial institutions
- Risk Management: Establish and manage all significant financial risk exposure, including foreign exchange and interest rate exposures
- Lead the management of financial and operational risk, driving accountable growth with a focus on project infrastructure profitability
- Stakeholder Engagement: Establish, develop, and maintain positive working relationships with the Board, Executive, Shareholders, Financiers, Auditors, Accountants, and other stakeholders
- Present financial results and strategic initiatives to the Board and other key stakeholders, ensuring effective communication
- Mergers, Acquisitions, and Strategic Initiatives: Support the development of mergers, acquisitions, and divestment strategies, including target growth and revenue opportunities
- Lead the delivery of major commercial projects, including negotiation of complex commercial transactions and post-acquisition integration
- Efficiency and Process Improvement: Identify areas of potential efficiencies and execute by re-designing and digitizing processes
- Enhance financial systems, processes, and controls to support the company's growth and operational efficiency
- Drive operational improvements and streamline processes across the organization
- Change Management: Lead change initiatives and transformation projects across the organization, promoting a continuous improvement mindset and driving cultural change.
Finance Manager
Meridian Group Ltd
05.2013 - 02.2016
- Financial Reporting and Management: Oversee the preparation of monthly and annual financial reports, ensuring accuracy and compliance with accounting standards
- Manage and ensure timely reporting to key stakeholders, including the executive team and external auditors
- Conduct balance sheet reconciliations and prevent stock write-offs
- Budgeting and Forecasting: Lead the annual budgeting process and monthly forecasting activities
- Provide detailed variance analysis and actionable insights to support financial decision-making
- Manage cash flow forecasting and ensure timely monitoring of financial performance
- Tax Compliance and Administration: Ensure compliance with all tax obligations
- Assist in yearly tax and audit compliance processes
- Financial Operations and Controls: Develop and maintain effective financial controls, systems, and procedures to ensure the integrity of financial information
- Optimize finance processes and implement improvements, including leveraging cloud-based software applications like Xero and MS Excel
- Manage accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll functions
- Strategic Financial Planning: Provide financial strategic recommendations, including long-term financial planning and capital investment decisions
- Support the development and implementation of financial strategies to drive business growth and efficiency
- Assist in the preparation of annual budgets and strategic plans
- Stakeholder Management: Establish and maintain strong internal relationships with the management team and wider business
- Communicate effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders, including financiers, auditors, and external accountants
- Provide financial counsel and value-adding insights to support business decisions
- Risk Management and Compliance: Conduct risk assessments and advise on ways to minimize financial risks
- Ensure the company remains compliant with all statutory and regulatory requirements
- Collaborate with auditors for financial and internal audits, implementing audit recommendations as necessary.
Financial Controller
TWK Agri
03.2009 - 04.2013
- Oversee the preparation of monthly and annual financial reports, ensuring accuracy, integrity, and compliance with high-quality accounting and regulatory standards
- Ensure compliance with all statutory requirements, including taxation obligations and regulatory reporting
- Lead the annual budgeting process and monthly forecasting activities, providing detailed variance analysis and actionable insights
- Manage cash flow forecasting and ensure timely monitoring of financial performance
- Manage all aspects of transactional finance activities, including Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, General Ledger, and Payroll
- Ensure monthly reconciliations are performed accurately and timely
- Establish and drive robust internal processes and controls to ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial data
- Conduct internal audits to ensure compliance with policies and mitigate financial risks
- Collaborate with other departments to raise awareness and understanding of financial metrics, expense management, and operational performance
- Act as a financial advisor to senior management and divisional stakeholders
- Support strategic planning and decision-making processes by providing financial analysis, insights, and recommendations
- Manage and monitor financial performance against budget and forecasts
- Direct cash management and treasury functions, ensuring sufficient liquidity and optimal working capital management
- Manage local and foreign supplier payments, including FX transactions.
Senior Fund Accountant
JP Morgan
08.2006 - 01.2009
- Financial Reporting and analysis of various investment funds
Audit & Accountant Trainee
Equifin Incorporated
01.2002 - 07.2006
- External Audit, Financial accounting, and taxation.
Education
MBA -
AIB
Adelaide12.2021
CPA Certified Public Accountants - Finance
CPA Australia
Australia12.2006
Bachelor of Science - Finance And Audit
University of South Africa
South Africa01.2006
High School Diploma -
Eldorainge High School
South Africa12.2000
Skills
- Advanced Financial Management
- Strategic Financial Planning
- Leadership in Financial Operations
- Analytical and Quantitative Skills
- Operational Efficiency
- Digital and Technological Proficiency
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Risk Management
- Financial Forecasting
- Budget Forecasting
- Capital Raising
- Strategic financial planning
- Financial Management
- Financial Strategy Development
- Corporate leadership
- Working capital management
Affiliations
CPA Australia, Full Membership
Internationalexposure
- South Africa
- Mauritius
- Malawi
- Mozambique
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
- EU
- UK
- Saudi Arabia
Executiveappointments
- Meridian Group Ltd, Director, 2016-01-01, 2023-12-31
- Meridian Group, Exco Member
Certification
- CPA - Certified Public Accountant
Running golf
Keen runner and golfer on the weekends
Timeline
Chief Treasury & Finance Officer
Meridian Group Ltd
03.2016 - Current
Finance Manager
Meridian Group Ltd
05.2013 - 02.2016
Financial Controller
TWK Agri
03.2009 - 04.2013
Senior Fund Accountant
JP Morgan
08.2006 - 01.2009
Audit & Accountant Trainee
Equifin Incorporated
01.2002 - 07.2006
MBA -
AIB
CPA Certified Public Accountants - Finance
CPA Australia
Bachelor of Science - Finance And Audit
University of South Africa
High School Diploma -
Eldorainge High School
- CPA - Certified Public Accountant
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