Monique Keulemans
Cork
Summary
Strategic Financial Manager with over 10 years of experience in multi-entity organisations, including international operations. Expertise in financial planning, budgeting, and reporting, alongside driving cost reduction initiatives and optimising performance. Skilled in leading cross-functional teams and enhancing compliance. Delivers financial insights that support business growth and fosters strong stakeholder relationships to improve financial outcomes.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Financial Manager
Mint Group of Companies
08.2021 - Current
- Lead financial planning, forecasting, and projections across group entities
- Manage budgets, cost control, project costing, and profitability analysis
- Prepare and deliver monthly management accounts and executive dashboards
- Oversee cash flow forecasting, liquidity, and debtor performance
- Coordinate statutory, regulatory, and group financial reporting
- Support audit readiness and annual financial statement preparation
- Executed year-end audits, working with external auditors to confirm clean financial audits and implementing any improvement suggestions promptly.
- Trained and supervised finance team members, promoting a culture of continuous improvement and professional development.
- Trained and mentored junior finance team members in accounting processes, improving team capabilities and knowledge transfer.
- Monitored cash flow forecasts, implementing measures to ensure liquidity and operational effectiveness.
- Coordinated with external auditors to facilitate annual audits, achieving clean audit reports.
- Negotiated terms with suppliers and vendors, securing favourable contracts that reduced operational costs.
- Monitored compliance with statutory obligations and financial regulations, avoiding penalties and fines.
- Conducted comprehensive variance analysis, providing clear explanations for deviations from budget and forecast.
- Managed financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting, to support business objectives.
- Streamlined accounting procedures, enhancing accuracy and efficiency in financial reporting.
- Oversaw budget preparation and management, closely monitoring expenditures to maintain financial health.
- Prepared detailed financial reports for senior management, emphasising insights on performance against key financial indicators.
- Participated in strategic meetings, offering financial expertise to support organisational goals and initiatives.
- Consulted with managers and chief executive to understand the financial situation.
- Enhanced revenue recognition processes, improving accuracy and timeliness of income reporting.
- Strengthen governance through continuous improvement of reporting and controls
- Lead and develop the finance team and contribute to management discussions
- Arranged and processed accurate and on-time VAT returns to HMRC.
- Spearheaded the implementation of new financial software, improving data analysis and reporting capabilities.
- Established daily priorities and organised workloads to maximise productivity.
- Updated company financial policies and procedures to enhance internal control over accounting and other management systems.
- Collated, prepared and interpreted reports, budgets, accounts and financial statements to assist senior management decision-making.
- Handled customer and employee finance queries, complaints and concerns, resolving with balanced solutions.
- Liaised with banks and financial institutions to secure funding and manage corporate finance activities.
- Reviewed and optimised financial policies and procedures, ensuring alignment with best practices and regulatory requirements.
- Developed and implemented financial policies and procedures to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
- Partnered with senior operations leadership on budgetary and financial management decisions.
- Implemented a new financial management software, enhancing data accuracy and reporting capabilities.
- Trained staff on financial compliance and ethical standards, promoting a culture of integrity and accountability.
- Conducted risk management assessments, implementing controls to mitigate financial threats.
- Maintained and updated fiscal calendar for audit schedule, tax reporting and other reporting deadlines.
- Prepared management accounts and budget-holder reports, identifying significant trends and variances.
- Helped managers set budgets based on forecasts and available resources.
- Provided financial analysis support for strategic initiatives, including mergers and acquisitions.
- Collaborated with sales and marketing teams to analyse pricing strategies and optimise profitability.
- Negotiated terms with suppliers and service providers, realising cost savings of 15% annually.
- Established and maintained productive client relationships.
- Streamlined financial reporting processes, reducing report preparation time by 30%.
- Designed and established processes for ongoing information gathering to help evolve strategic thinking.
- Liaised with senior management to report on financial status, offering insights and guidance on fiscal matters.
Financial Accountant
Mint Group of Companies
01.2020 - 07.2021
Junior Financial Manager
Fourways Airconditioning Group
04.2016 - 12.2019
- Prepared management reports, budgets, and variance analyses to inform strategic decision-making
- Oversaw expenditure approvals and supplier arrangements
- Coordinated audit preparation and liaised with external auditors to ensure compliance and accuracy
- Coordinated audit preparation with external auditors to ensure compliance
- Supported financial management for multiple entities, enhancing cross-border operational efficiency
Article Clerk
ARC Incorporated
01.2010 - 12.2013
Article Clerk
Prins, du Plessis & Smit
01.2008 - 12.2010
Junior Bookkeeper
Steelman Engineering CC
01.2006 - 12.2008
Education
BCompt Accounting Degree - Bachelors in Accounting Science
University of South Africa
Gauteng, South AfricaSkills
- Financial management & control
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Financial reporting
- Cash flow management
- Expense control
- Budget development
- Treasury management
- Financial statement preparation
- Profit and Loss Analysis
- Management accounts reports
- Balance sheet review
- Balance sheet reconciliations
- Balance sheet analysis
- VAT & indirect tax oversight
- VAT returns
- VAT return submissions
- Revenue recognition
- Cost reduction
- Cost strategies
- Data analysis
- Audit compliance
- Internal controls & risk management
- Audit coordination
- Audit processes familiarity
- Finance process improvement
- Stakeholder reporting
- Stakeholder management
- Client relationship management
- Software implementation
- Team leadership
- Team management and mentoring
- Written communication
- Leadership proficiency
- Project prioritisation
- Revenue recognition
- Accountancy principles
- KPI management
References
Available on request
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Timeline
Financial Manager
Mint Group of Companies
08.2021 - Current
Financial Accountant
Mint Group of Companies
01.2020 - 07.2021
Junior Financial Manager
Fourways Airconditioning Group
04.2016 - 12.2019
Article Clerk
ARC Incorporated
01.2010 - 12.2013
Article Clerk
Prins, du Plessis & Smit
01.2008 - 12.2010
Junior Bookkeeper
Steelman Engineering CC
01.2006 - 12.2008
BCompt Accounting Degree - Bachelors in Accounting Science
University of South Africa