Open to opportunities

Chris van Rensburg

@chrisvanrensburg

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Finance & operations executive—25+ years scaling multi-entity businesses as CFO/VP Finance.

South Africa

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What I'm looking for

I’m available immediately for remote CFO/VP Finance/Senior Finance roles with international organisations. I’m comfortable operating across EST/PST business hours and focus on FP&A, cash flow discipline, and scalable ERP-driven processes.

I’m an operationally focused finance executive with 25+ years building, stabilising and scaling multi-entity business operations across the services sector. I combine deep financial expertise—FP&A, revenue forecasting, cash flow management, monthly close and board reporting—with hands-on operational execution to translate business needs into scalable, system-driven solutions.

As Group Chief Financial Officer (AO Holdings), I stabilised group cash flow within 60 days by actively managing debtors, renegotiating creditors and implementing targeted cost reduction that eliminated supply disruption risk. I led the full FP&A cycle—monthly management reporting, variance analysis, budgeting and executive decision support across multiple entities—and implemented a structured month-end close (1–10 day cycle) to improve reporting accuracy and timeliness.

I’ve also driven sustained performance in high-growth environments, including delivering 8% year-on-year operating expense reduction across a 60+ branch franchise group, and achieving a 32% productivity increase through a structured remote workforce transition during COVID-19. Earlier, I drove 500% revenue growth while building revenue forecasting frameworks and operational controls from scratch, and I’ve served as Treasurer on the SAPCA NPO Board, turning around the association’s financial position within 6 months through governance, process and controls.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Group Chief Financial Officer

AO Holdings

Jan 2024 - Feb 2026 (2 years 1 month)

Stabilised multi-entity group cash flow within 60 days via debtor management, creditor renegotiation, and targeted cost reduction to eliminate supply disruption risk. Led end-to-end FP&A, implemented a 1–10 day month-end close cycle, and defined ERP reporting requirements to improve timeliness and decision support across entities.

FP&A Revenue Forecasting Cash Flow Management Month End Close Multi Entity Group Finance Statutory Compliance Board Reporting Tax Planning

Group CFO / Finance Manager

The Specialists Franchise Holdings

Jan 2016 - Dec 2023 (7 years 11 months)

Delivered full FP&A across 60+ branches, including zero-based budgeting, forecasting, profitability reviews, and branch performance reporting. Reduced operating expenses by 8% YoY through supplier negotiations and process redesign, and led Sage Business Cloud Accounting implementation to improve reporting visibility and financial control group-wide.

zero based budgeting Zero Based Budgeting Revenue Forecasting Tax Planning Process Mapping

CEO / Financial Manager

Bottomline Business Solutions

Oct 2007 - Dec 2015 (8 years 2 months)

Appointed Acting CEO and maintained operational and financial continuity with zero disruption while retaining finance responsibilities. Drove 500% revenue growth by scaling headcount from 2 to 25, building forecasting frameworks and operational controls, and partnering with developers to automate billing and collections workflows.

Executive Leadership Revenue Growth Strategy Financial Management FP&A Revenue Forecasting Billing & Collections Automation Systems Implementation

Assistant Financial Manager

Central African Logistics

Jun 2004 - Sep 2008 (4 years 3 months)

Managed debtors and creditors teams, performed bank reconciliations, daily cash reporting, short-term forecasting, and monthly trial balance reconciliations in a multi-currency (USD) environment. Handled foreign currency revaluation, inventory control, statutory returns, and supported structured wind-down of the SA division.

Accounts Receivable Accounts Payable Bank Reconciliation Cash Reporting Trial Balances Foreign Currency Revaluation Inventory Control

Bookkeeper

Worcs

Jan 2001 - Jan 2004 (3 years)

Provided full bookkeeping to balance sheet, including debtors, creditors, reconciliations, and SARS submissions. Supported accurate financial reporting through consistent month-to-month reconciliations and accounts management.

Bookkeeping Accounts Receivable Accounts Payable Reconciliations SARs Financial Reporting Accounting Administration