About

Confident and proactive finance professional with 9 months' commercial experience as a Finance Manager and over 6 years in auditing/articles at a registered audit firm. Advanced Excel expertise (VBA, Macros, Power Query) used to develop custom systems for variance analysis, error detection, and operational efficiency. Completed SAICA articles, passed ITC, and currently preparing for APC (December 2025). Thrives under pressure, excels in team leadership and training, and committed to becoming a CA(SA) with future MBA aspirations.

Thomas Breetzke Photo

Work Experience

Finance Manager

Africa Wholesale Diesel (Pty) Ltd, Pongola, South Africa

March 2025 – November 2025

  • Managed full finance function including financial statements preparation, tax returns, payroll, UIF declarations, and bank reconciliations via OFX.
  • Developed daily reports and Power Query tools to track operational progress, staff performance, and key variances, enabling timely decision-making.
  • Implemented innovative processes to streamline operations, created training manuals, and trained staff on new systems.
  • Handled portfolio management and provided guidance to team members on professional and personal matters.

Audit Senior

Colenbrander Incorporated, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

February 2025 – February 2025 (Brief role/transition)

    SAICA Article Trainee / Accounting Clerk to Senior

    Colenbrander Incorporated, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

    July 2021 – January 2025 (Articles) | January 2018 – June 2019 (Clerk)

    • Conducted audits, independent reviews, and compilations for private companies, trusts, body corporates, and co-operatives under IFRS for SMEs and ISRS 4410.
    • Prepared financial statements, income tax returns, dividends tax, and IT3t filings.
    • Utilised CaseWare for working papers; provided insightful feedback on juniors' files and trained staff on processes.
    • Gained exposure to auditing various accounting systems (e.g., Syspro) and managed client portfolios.

    Education & Qualifications

    SAICA Professional Programme

    • APC (Assessment of Professional Competence) – In progress (exam: 3 December 2025)
    • APT Board Course – Completed 2024
    • ITC (Initial Test of Competence) – Passed 2023

    Postgraduate Studies (Milpark Education, Remote)

    • CTA Level 2 – 2023
    • Bridging Course into CTA – 2022

    BCom in Finance and Accounting

    Varsity College, Pietermaritzburg

    2018

      Diploma in Software Development

      Varsity College, Pietermaritzburg

      2015

        Matric

        Hilton College, Hilton

        2011

        Skills

        Technical Accounting Skills

        • Financial statements preparation (AFS for companies, CCs, trusts)
        • Tax returns (income, dividends, IT3t), VAT returns and compliance
        • Auditing, independent reviews, and compilation engagements
        • Variance analysis, budgeting, forecast analysis and financial reporting
        • Payroll processing and UIF declarations

        Software & Tools

        • Advanced Microsoft Excel (VBA, Macros, Power Query, Pivot Tables – developed custom systems for automation and error handling)
        • Sage Business Cloud / Pastel Partner (Intermediate/Advanced, 9 months commercial)
        • CaseWare Working Papers
        • Exposure/Willing to learn: Sage Evolution, Xero, Syspro, Python, ODBC, Power BI

        Soft Skills

        • Works well under pressure and thrives in stressful environments
        • Strong problem-solving and fast learning ability
        • Team leadership: Training, mentoring, brainstorming solutions, and emotional management
        • Excellent interpersonal skills: Building relationships and providing guidance

        Industries Exposed To

        • Wholesale Diesel (commercial level)
        • Farming (cattle, macadamia, sugar cane, potatoes – audit)
        • Manufacturing (milk – audit)
        • Retail, franchises, and property holding (audit)

        Sample Dashboards

          Contact Me