Open to opportunities

Chimwe Michael

@chimwemichael

Strategic Head of Finance with 20+ years leading treasury, IFRS reporting, and finance transformation across Southern Africa.

South Africa

Message

What I'm looking for

I’m looking to lead a strategic finance function—partnering with executives on governance, working capital, IFRS reporting, and treasury—while driving automation, BI dashboards, and stronger internal controls across multinational operations.

I’m a commercially focused finance leader with more than 20 years of progressive leadership experience directing finance operations across technology, healthcare, manufacturing, mining, retail, hospitality, FMCG, and financial services throughout Southern Africa.

I’ve led finance functions while partnering with Executive Committees and senior operational leaders to improve profitability, optimise working capital, strengthen governance, and deliver sustainable business growth—backed by deep expertise in treasury management, banking relationships, foreign exchange, budgeting, forecasting, and IFRS reporting.

I’m known for transforming finance through automation, process optimisation, and business intelligence, enabling faster decision-making and stronger financial performance. I also take ownership of statutory compliance, taxation, payroll, audit management, and internal controls within complex multi-currency environments.

Across multinational and regulated environments, I’ve built and mentored high-performing finance teams and strengthened risk management and governance frameworks. I’m available for immediate relocation throughout Africa and internationally, and I enjoy hands-on, collaborative partnering to support long-term organisational success.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Head of Finance

Current

Blue Bean Software (Pty) Ltd

Jan 2022 - Present (4 years 7 months)

Provide strategic and operational leadership for a multinational technology group’s finance function across South Africa and Australia, spanning treasury, tax, statutory compliance, and IFRS reporting. Manage cross-border intercompany transactions, multi-currency consolidations, ERP/accounting system optimisation, audits, and internal controls.

IFRS Reporting Statutory Compliance Treasury Management Banking Relationships Foreign Exchange Budgeting Forecasting Group Consolidation Intercompany Accounting ERP Implementation Process Automation Accounting Systems Audit Management Corporate Tax Internal Controls Risk Management KPI Reporting

Financial Manager

Ambledown Financial Services (Pty) Ltd

Oct 2017 - Dec 2021 (4 years 2 months)

Led end-to-end finance for a regulated healthcare funding administrator, including liquidity planning, premium and claims management, IFRS/GAAP reporting, governance, and regulatory submissions. Implemented automated reporting solutions using Python and MySQL to improve transparency and decision-making.

FP&A Budgeting Forecasting Liquidity Planning Cash Flow Forecasting Premium Income Management Debit Order Collections Reconciliations Claims Funding Claims Ratios IBNR Provisions IFRS General Ledger Integrity Regulatory Reporting Council For Medical Schemes (CMS)Medical Schemes Act Compliance Audit Management Python MySQL

Financial Accountant

Melomed Private Hospitals Group (Pty) Ltd

Nov 2016 - Sep 2017 (10 months)

Supported a multi-hospital private healthcare group with financial reporting, budgeting, cash flow management, statutory compliance, and operational financial analysis. Managed reconciliations, VAT and other statutory returns, and assisted with internal controls and budgeting for hospital expansion.

Financial Reporting Budgeting Cash Flow Management Financial Reconciliations VAT Workmen Compensation Statutory Returns Internal Controls Audit Support Cash Flow Analysis

Management Accountant

Cubaña Latino Café Group (Pty) Ltd

Aug 2015 - Jun 2016 (10 months)

Provided commercial finance support for a multi-branch restaurant group, covering management reporting, budgeting, product costing, inventory valuation, and profitability analysis. Performed month-end processing, supported audits, and improved stock control through regular stock counts and reconciliation.

Management Reporting Budgeting Capital Budgeting Product Costing Target Costing Product Pricing Stock Count Stock Control VAT Audit Support

Finance and Administration Manager

Hourglass Trading t/a SPAR Stores

Mar 2012 - Mar 2015 (3 years)

Led finance and administration for a multi-store SPAR retail operation, managing accounting, treasury, inventory, payroll, budgeting, taxation, and operational finance. Strengthened internal controls, optimised working capital, and coordinated annual audits with external stakeholders.

Financial Reporting Treasury Management Banking Relationships Cash Management Inventory Management Stock Counts and Variances Internal Controls Budgeting Rolling Forecasts Payroll Management Pensions Accounts Payable Accounts Receivable Credit Management Audit Coordination Governance Cost Control

Financial Manager

S.A. Fine Worsteds Pty Ltd

Jan 2009 - Feb 2012 (3 years 1 month)

Provided strategic financial leadership for a textile manufacturing business, overseeing budgeting, forecasting, treasury, payroll, inventory control, and product costing. Prepared statutory financial statements and supported external audits while developing financial policies and internal controls.

Budgeting Forecasting Financial Planning Treasury Management Banking Relationships Liquidity Management Cash Flow Forecasting Product Costing Standard Costing Raw Materials Accounting Pricing Analysis Financial Statements Internal Controls Audit Support Governance

Accountant

Blanket Mine 1983 Pty Ltd

Sep 2008 - Dec 2008 (3 months)

Supported project accounting and operational finance for a large-scale gold mining operation, including budgeting, cost management, and financial analysis for mining capital projects. Conducted variance analysis, cash flow forecasting, and contributed to business cases for capital investment decisions.

Project Accounting Budgeting Cost Allocation Cash Flow Forecasting Profitability Assessments Site visits