Cathlene Strauss
Windhoek
Summary
Seasoned Financial Management professional with proven expertise in accounting processes, systems oversight and compliance reporting. Knowledgeable about AP/AR, contract administration, budgeting and all other aspects of successful financial operations. Talented team builder and supervisor with expertise to develop and maintain consistent, accurate, and legal accounting structures. Versatile Financial Manager adept in financial analysis, audit support, account reconciliations and collections. Proficient in preparing financial statements, monitoring controls and completing closings. Highly detail-oriented, proactive and diligent.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Financial Manager
Safari Hotels (Pty) Ltd
01.2019 - 01.2022
- Prepared monthly, quarterly, and annual reports to ensure compliance with regulatory bodies.
- Identified opportunities for process improvement within the finance department.
- Prepared year-end financial statements, and developed year-end audit book for CPA firm to reduce and control audit costs.
- Checked payroll, vendor payments and other accounting disbursements for accuracy and compliance.
- Built financial models to allocate resources, forecast cash and investment needs and make capital budgeting decisions.
- Coordinated preparation of external audit materials and external financial reporting.
- Interacted with internal and external auditors to help complete audits and resolve issues.
- Collaborated with auditors during periodic reviews of corporate accounts and records.
- Analyzed monthly department budgeting and accounting reports to maintain expenditure controls.
- Created and updated financial reports on frequent basis to present information to leadership teams.
- Implemented internal controls designed to protect assets from unauthorized use or loss.
- Advised senior management on complex financial matters including taxation issues.
- Calculated and prepared checks for utilities, taxes and other payments.
- Ensured compliance with all relevant accounting principles when preparing financial statements.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, policies, procedures, standards. related to finance management.
- Managed accounts receivable and payable processes to ensure accurate reporting of financial transactions.
- Completed month-end and year-end closings, kept records audit-ready and monitored timely recording of accounting transactions.
- Displayed strong telephone etiquette, effectively handling difficult calls.
- Completed day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
Financial Manager
Anvil Properties cc (Family business)
01.2019 - 01.2019
- Prepared monthly, quarterly, and annual reports to ensure compliance with regulatory bodies.
- Identified opportunities for process improvement within the finance department.
- Prepared year-end financial statements, and developed year-end audit book for CPA firm to reduce and control audit costs.
- Checked payroll, vendor payments and other accounting disbursements for accuracy and compliance.
- Interacted with internal and external auditors to help complete audits and resolve issues.
- Collaborated with auditors during periodic reviews of corporate accounts and records.
- Analyzed monthly department budgeting and accounting reports to maintain expenditure controls.
- Created and updated financial reports on frequent basis to present information to leadership teams.
- Compiled and delivered financial statements for association and foundation to Board of Directors and Board of Trustees; prepared variance narratives, trends and charts.
- Analyzed actual financial results to budget, preparing variance reporting to functional groups.
- Implemented internal controls designed to protect assets from unauthorized use or loss.
- Advised senior management on complex financial matters including taxation issues.
- Calculated and prepared checks for utilities, taxes and other payments.
- Partnered with CPAs to design and implement accounting systems, policies and best practices; oversaw collections and accounts payable functions.
- Ensured compliance with all relevant accounting principles when preparing financial statements.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, policies, procedures, standards. related to finance management.
- Managed relationships with tax authorities, bankers and auditors.
- Developed and implemented accounting, financial and operational systems.
- Managed accounts receivable and payable processes to ensure accurate reporting of financial transactions.
- Completed month-end and year-end closings, kept records audit-ready and monitored timely recording of accounting transactions.
- Displayed strong telephone etiquette, effectively handling difficult calls.
- Assisted with customer requests and answered questions to improve satisfaction.
Financial Manager
Mutual and Federal Insurance Company Limited
01.2013 - 01.2013
- Prepared monthly, quarterly, and annual reports to ensure compliance with regulatory bodies.
- Identified opportunities for process improvement within the finance department.
- Prepared year-end financial statements, and developed year-end audit book for CPA firm to reduce and control audit costs.
- Checked payroll, vendor payments and other accounting disbursements for accuracy and compliance.
- Interacted with internal and external auditors to help complete audits and resolve issues.
- Collaborated with auditors during periodic reviews of corporate accounts and records.
- Analyzed monthly department budgeting and accounting reports to maintain expenditure controls.
- Created and updated financial reports on frequent basis to present information to leadership teams.
- Compiled and delivered financial statements for association and foundation to Board of Directors and Board of Trustees; prepared variance narratives, trends and charts.
- Analyzed actual financial results to budget, preparing variance reporting to functional groups.
- Implemented internal controls designed to protect assets from unauthorized use or loss.
- Advised senior management on complex financial matters including taxation issues.
- Calculated and prepared checks for utilities, taxes and other payments.
- Partnered with CPAs to design and implement accounting systems, policies and best practices; oversaw collections and accounts payable functions.
- Ensured compliance with all relevant accounting principles when preparing financial statements.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, policies, procedures, standards. related to finance management.
- Managed relationships with tax authorities, bankers and auditors.
- Developed and implemented accounting, financial and operational systems.
- Managed accounts receivable and payable processes to ensure accurate reporting of financial transactions.
- Completed month-end and year-end closings, kept records audit-ready and monitored timely recording of accounting transactions.
- Displayed strong telephone etiquette, effectively handling difficult calls.
- Assisted with customer requests and answered questions to improve satisfaction.
Assistant Manager
PriceWaterhouseCoopers
01.2004 - 01.2004
Auditor
Louis Compton CPA’s, Denver Colorado, USA
01.2003 - 01.2003
Financial Manager
Mouton Bouers
01.2002 - 01.2002
Financial Manager
WC Knight and Associates (PTY) LTD
01.1999 - 01.2000
- Prepared monthly, quarterly, and annual reports to ensure compliance with regulatory bodies.
- Identified opportunities for process improvement within the finance department.
- Prepared year-end financial statements, and developed year-end audit book for CPA firm to reduce and control audit costs.
- Checked payroll, vendor payments and other accounting disbursements for accuracy and compliance.
- Interacted with internal and external auditors to help complete audits and resolve issues.
- Collaborated with auditors during periodic reviews of corporate accounts and records.
- Analyzed monthly department budgeting and accounting reports to maintain expenditure controls.
- Created and updated financial reports on frequent basis to present information to leadership teams.
- Compiled and delivered financial statements for association and foundation to Board of Directors and Board of Trustees; prepared variance narratives, trends and charts.
- Analyzed actual financial results to budget, preparing variance reporting to functional groups.
- Implemented internal controls designed to protect assets from unauthorized use or loss.
- Advised senior management on complex financial matters including taxation issues.
- Calculated and prepared checks for utilities, taxes and other payments.
- Partnered with CPAs to design and implement accounting systems, policies and best practices; oversaw collections and accounts payable functions.
- Ensured compliance with all relevant accounting principles when preparing financial statements.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, policies, procedures, standards. related to finance management.
- Managed relationships with tax authorities, bankers and auditors.
- Developed and implemented accounting, financial and operational systems.
- Managed accounts receivable and payable processes to ensure accurate reporting of financial transactions.
- Completed month-end and year-end closings, kept records audit-ready and monitored timely recording of accounting transactions.
- Displayed strong telephone etiquette, effectively handling difficult calls.
- Assisted with customer requests and answered questions to improve satisfaction.
Senior audit clerk
BDO Spencer Steward
01.1997 - 01.1999
Accountant
Nampost Savings Bank
01.1997 - 01.1997
Senior audit clerk / senior accounting clerk
BDO Spencer Steward
01.1995 - 01.1996
Audit Clerk / senior audit clerk
BDO Spencer Steward
01.1992 - 01.1995
Education
B.com -
Akademie (University of Namibia = Unisa)
01.1992
Bcom Honors - Bachelors of Accounting
Unisa
Pretoria, South AfricaManagement Development Programme -
University of Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch, South AfricaSkills
- Budgeting and Financial Management
- Budget Forecasting
- Corporate Finance and Financial Management
- Financial Management
- Budget Compliance
- General accounting and GAAP compliance
- Acquisition due diligence
Accomplishments
- Head girl- Dr. Lemmer High School, 1987
- Head Prefect -Dr. Lemmer girls hostel, 1987
Secondary Qualifications
Dr. Lemmer High School, Matric (Std 10) National Higher Certificate, 1987, Afrikaans, English, Mathematics, Accountancy, Biology, Typing
Post Graduation Qualifications
- Hons Bcompt, University of South Africa, 2002, Advance Financial Accounting, Advance Management Accounting, Advance Auditing, Applied Information systems, Applied Management Account
- Stellenbosch University, 2010, Management Development Programme- Namibia
Auditing Experience
Insurance Companies, Super Markets, Farmers Doctors, Optics, Mining Companies, Bank, Tourist Transport Company, Non profit organizations, Pharmacy
Taxation Experience
Insurance Companies, Super Markets, Farmers Doctors, Optics, Mining Companies, Bank, Tourist Transport Company, Individuals, Building Contractors
Knowledge Of Accounting Packages And Computer Programs
Excellent, Excellent, Reasonably well, Excellent, Good, Well, Well, Well, Good, Well, Well
Last Name
Strauss
Birthdate
06/23/70
Telephone Number
081 6156798 (c)
Accounting Experience
Insurance Companies, Super Markets, Farmers Doctors, Optics, Schools, Mining Companies, Non-profit organizations, Building contractors, Hospitality industry
Personal Information
- ID Number: 70 06 23 0003 2
- Gender: Female
- Nationality: Namibian
- Marital Status: Married
References
- BDO SPENCER STEWARD, Mrs. Magda Nel, (061) 224125
- WC KNIGHT AND ASSOCIATES, Mr. W.C. Knight, (061) 234047
- MUTUAL AND FEDERAL, Mrs. Elmarie Kruger, (061) 2077204
- ANVIL PROPERTIES CC, Mr. Danvile Strauss, 0811286065
- Safari Hotels (Pty) Ltd, Ms. Charne Kloppers, 296 7157; 081 146 6003, Mr. Frans Sutil, 081 128 8007, Mrs. Ina Spies, 081 124 1160
Languages
English and Afrikaans
Affiliations
- Love to read, love gardening
Languages
Afrikaans
First Language
English
Advanced (C1)
C1
References
References available upon request.
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
swipe to browse
Quote
Every problem is a gift—without problems we would not grow.
Tony Robbins
Timeline
Financial Manager
Safari Hotels (Pty) Ltd
01.2019 - 01.2022
Financial Manager
Anvil Properties cc (Family business)
01.2019 - 01.2019
Financial Manager
Mutual and Federal Insurance Company Limited
01.2013 - 01.2013
Assistant Manager
PriceWaterhouseCoopers
01.2004 - 01.2004
Auditor
Louis Compton CPA’s, Denver Colorado, USA
01.2003 - 01.2003
Financial Manager
Mouton Bouers
01.2002 - 01.2002
Financial Manager
WC Knight and Associates (PTY) LTD
01.1999 - 01.2000
Senior audit clerk
BDO Spencer Steward
01.1997 - 01.1999
Accountant
Nampost Savings Bank
01.1997 - 01.1997
Senior audit clerk / senior accounting clerk
BDO Spencer Steward
01.1995 - 01.1996
Audit Clerk / senior audit clerk
BDO Spencer Steward
01.1992 - 01.1995
B.com -
Akademie (University of Namibia = Unisa)
Bcom Honors - Bachelors of Accounting
Unisa
Management Development Programme -
University of Stellenbosch
Similar Profiles
Jaden HamiltonJaden Hamilton
Account Executive at LTDAccount Executive at LTD
Aubrey BogdanAubrey Bogdan
Lead Bartender at LTDLead Bartender at LTD
Keano ThebaudKeano Thebaud
Intern at LTDIntern at LTD