Open to opportunities

Karessa Rajah

@karessarajah

I’m an experienced accountant who delivers accurate financial reporting, controls, and decision-ready insights across entities.

South Africa

Message

What I'm looking for

I’m looking for a finance/accounting role where I can own monthly and annual reporting, strengthen financial controls, handle VAT and compliance, and support audits—using my experience across multiple entities to drive accurate decisions.

I’m an accountant with over 10 years of experience in the financial and retail sectors, responsible for preparing, examining, and analyzing financial information to produce financial statements for multiple entities. I strengthen accuracy and reliability through implementing controls, overseeing cash flow and expenditure, and ensuring VAT and compliance requirements are completed on time.

Across roles such as Senior Financial Accountant and Accountant, I’ve built a track record of preparing management accounts and KPI reports, managing budgeting and forecasting, and handling accounts payable, accounts receivable, procurement, and payroll. I also support audits by reconciling ledgers, liaising with external auditors and SARS, analyzing performance/solvency/liquidity ratios, and reviewing budgets and audit findings while coaching junior team members.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Finance Manager

Kiran Sales (Pty) Ltd

Mar 2025 - Apr 2026 (1 year 1 month)

Managed cash flow, expenditure, and overall financial performance, and prepared management accounts and KPI reports. Oversaw budgeting and forecasting, managed AP/AR, procurement and payroll, and handled VAT calculations and royalty calculations.

Cash Flow Management Management Accounting Budgeting and forecasting Accounts Payable Accounts Receivable Procurement Payroll Accounting KPI Reporting Royalty Calculations

Pastel Senior Financial Accountant

Bridge Wholesale (Pty) Ltd

Jul 2024 - Feb 2025 (7 months)

Performed bank reconciliations and processed debit orders, journals, and intercompany transactions to ensure accurate accounting. Reviewed VAT calculations and schedules, investigated stock discrepancies, supported the budgeting process, and prepared management and board reports.

Pastel Easy Accounts Bank Reconciliation Closing Stock Analysis Intercompany Accounting Budgeting E Filing

Accountant

Arrow Cash and Carry (Pty) Ltd

Mar 2019 - Jul 2024 (5 years 4 months)

Prepared the year-end trial balance and maintained general ledger accounts for a group of 15 entities, including intercompany loan reconciliations. Managed group VAT submissions and EMP201 returns, liaised with external auditors, and supported directors with ad hoc financial analysis and SARS-related queries.

Trial Balances Inter Company Reconciliation EMP 201 Journal Entries SARS Compliance Financial Reporting

Trainee Accountant/Auditor

A2A Kopano Incorporated

Jan 2015 - Feb 2019 (4 years 1 month)

Compiled IFRS-compliant annual financial statements for SMEs and drafted supporting accounting records, including reconciliations and VAT control processes. Conducted audit and management accounting tasks, supported payroll reconciliation (PAYE/UIF/SDL), and assisted with banking and journal processing.

IFRS Intercompany Loan Reconciliations Management Accounting Payroll Reconciliation SARS Reconciliations