Carmen Diehl
Windhoek,Namibia
Summary
Chartered Accountant (CA) NAM with 18+ years of experience across financial services, governance, compliance, risk management, accounting, corporate finance and internal audit. Proven track record in executive reporting, regulatory change management and corporate governance. Currently serving as Trustee of Benchmark Retirement Fund.
Overview
3
3
Languages
10
10
years of post-secondary education
22
22
years of professional experience
Work history
Trustee
Benchmark Retirement Fund
2026.01 - 2026.07
- Participate in governance and oversight of retirement fund operations
- Review fund performance, compliance and risk matters
- Contribute to strategic decision-making and fiduciary oversight
Senior Manager: Risk management & Compliance
RFS Fund Administrators Namibia (Pty) Ltd
2017.05 - 2026.07
- Lead enterprise risk management and compliance activities across the organization
- Drive implementation of Financial Institutions and Markets Act requirements
- Report to executive management, board committees and governance structures on risk, compliance and regulatory matters
- Develop and maintain governance, compliance and risk management frameworks
- Oversee private fund accounting, financial reporting and audit processes (May 2021 – July 2024)
Manager: Controlling
Ohorongo Cement (Pty) Ltd
2012.10 - 2017.04
- Monthly reporting, budgeting, project monitoring, production cost reporting, cash flow forecasts, feasibility studies, SAP automation projects, transfer pricing and fixed asset accounting.
Group Financial Manager / Group Financial Controller: Corporate Finance
Ohlthaver & List Group
2009.07 - 2012.09
- Group reporting, budgeting, consolidations, financial statements, year-end coordination, technical IFRS and taxation support, and corporate finance projects.
Financial Manager
Bravura Namibia Trading (Pty) Ltd
2008.07 - 2009.06
- Managed finance department, financial reporting, accounting and tax functions.
Assistant Audit Manager / CA Training Contract
Ernst & Young
2006.10 - 2008.06
- Completed CA training; secondment to Luxembourg; audit experience in investment funds and diverse industries.
CA Training Contract
KPMG
2005.01 - 2006.09
- Completed first 20 months of CA training contract and gained extensive audit exposure.
Education
BAccounting (Honours) degree -
University of Stellenbosch
2004.01 - 2004.12
BAccounting degree -
University of Stellenbosch
2001.01 - 2003.12
Matriculation Exemption (HIGCSE) -
Deutsche Höhere Privatschule Windhoek (DHPS)
1995.01 - 2000.12
Skills
- Corporate Governance
- Board & Committee Reporting
- Risk Management
- Regulatory Compliance
- Internal Audit
- Accounting
- Financial Reporting
- Strategic Projects
- Stakeholder Management
- Taxation
- Budgeting & Forecasting
- Regulatory Change Management
- Corporate Finance
- Microsoft 365 (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Copilot, etc)
- Compliance management software (Exclaim)
- CaseWare Working Papers
LANGUAGES
English (Fluent)
German (Fluent)
Afrikaans (Fluent)
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Regular continuing professional development in:
- IFRS
- Taxation
- Ethics
- Leadership & Communication
KEY CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- Chartered Accountant (CA) NAM
- 18+ years of experience across finance, audit, risk and compliance
- Senior leadership experience within Namibia's financial services sector
- Led implementation planning for major regulatory reforms under the Financial Institutions and Markets Act
- Extensive board, audit committee and governance reporting experience
- International audit experience through Ernst & Young Luxembourg secondment
- Governance experience as Trustee of Benchmark Retirement Fund
AUDIT EXPERIENCE
- Namibia: Financial services (pension funds, pointBreak, Old Mutual, Sanlam), manufacturing (Namibia Breweries, Meatco, Namibian Sea Products).
- Luxembourg: Investment Funds (Asset Management).
Timeline
Trustee
Benchmark Retirement Fund
2026.01 - 2026.07
Senior Manager: Risk management & Compliance
RFS Fund Administrators Namibia (Pty) Ltd
2017.05 - 2026.07
Manager: Controlling
Ohorongo Cement (Pty) Ltd
2012.10 - 2017.04
Group Financial Manager / Group Financial Controller: Corporate Finance
Ohlthaver & List Group
2009.07 - 2012.09
Financial Manager
Bravura Namibia Trading (Pty) Ltd
2008.07 - 2009.06
Assistant Audit Manager / CA Training Contract
Ernst & Young
2006.10 - 2008.06
CA Training Contract
KPMG
2005.01 - 2006.09
BAccounting (Honours) degree -
University of Stellenbosch
2004.01 - 2004.12
BAccounting degree -
University of Stellenbosch
2001.01 - 2003.12
Matriculation Exemption (HIGCSE) -
Deutsche Höhere Privatschule Windhoek (DHPS)
1995.01 - 2000.12