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Wicouw Barnard

@wicouwbarnard

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Finance manager at SoluGrowth managing reporting for 50 entities and transforming multinational finance operations.

South Africa

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What I'm looking for

I'm seeking a senior finance role, such as Financial Manager or Financial Controller, owning financial reporting, controls and compliance across a multi-entity or international group. I'm open to remote and international roles, or hybrid in South Africa, and willing to relocate to the Western or Eastern Cape. I thrive in collaborative teams that value accuracy and accountability.

Chartered Accountant (CA(SA)) and FMVA-certified finance professional with 7+ years' post-qualification experience in financial management, financial reporting, and finance transformation across multi-entity, multi-jurisdiction Group structures spanning South Africa, the UK, Ireland, and Bermuda. Built on a foundation of Big 4 external audit (EY) and international financial consulting, with strong technical accounting expertise including IFRS 17. Currently owns financial reporting and management accounts for a 50-entity multinational client portfolio, with multi-currency reconciliation across 25 currencies, treasury oversight of 12 banking covenant/lender relationships, and separately manages direct and indirect tax compliance across 6 African jurisdictions. Redesigned a monthly reporting process that cut close cycle time in half (10 days to 5 days) and reduced manual reporting effort by approximately 35 hours per month. Experienced presenting financial results directly to C-suite stakeholders, with a consistent record of finance process improvement and transformation.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

BPO Manager | Acting Senior Accountant

Current

SoluGrowth

Apr 2026 - Present (6 months)

Owns IFRS/statutory annual financial statements for a 50-entity multinational client portfolio and serves as the main contact for external auditors and regulators. Prepares and reviews consolidated monthly management accounts and balance sheet reconciliations across 50 entities and 25 currencies.

IFRS Financial Reporting Management Accounts Consolidation Reconciliations Tax Compliance Transfer Pricing Treasury Management Covenants Financial Control Process Improvement Audit Readiness

Advanced Senior Audit Consultant

Makosi (Pty) Ltd

Nov 2021 - Aug 2025 (3 years 9 months)

Led 7 group and statutory audit engagements end-to-end as a contracted Audit Manager across insurance, asset management, and aviation finance for 5 multi-billion dollar multinational clients. Led the audit of IFRS 17 transition for P&C and long-term insurance contracts at Allianz.

Audit IFRS UK GAAP US GAAP PCAOB ISA IFRS 17 Insurance Asset Management Aviation Finance Team Leadership Mentorship

Financial Consultant

Acumen Group

Feb 2019 - Jul 2021 (2 years 5 months)

Contracted as Senior Corporate Accountant at HSBC Insurance Bermuda, managing monthly, quarterly, and year-end investment accounting, and presenting monthly management accounts directly to C-suite stakeholders. Redesigned the monthly financial reporting process, reducing the close cycle from 10 days to 5 days.

Financial Reporting Management Accounts IFRS Solvency II BSCR Lloyd'S Reporting Treasury Management Process Improvement Executive Communication

Audit Supervisor

Ernst & Young (EY)

Jan 2016 - Dec 2018 (2 years 11 months)

Executed group and statutory tests of controls and substantive audit procedures across 13 audit engagements over a 3-year period, supervising a team of 6 junior auditors. Gained early exposure to M&A due diligence and post-acquisition integration reviews.

Audit Group Reporting Substantive Testing Controls Testing M&A due diligence Team Supervision