Simiso Ninela CA(SA), AFM

Experience

• 

  Unilever

  Nov 2012 - Feb 2013

  Finance Intern

  - Collaborated with the Marketing team learning about effective investment in brands. The focus was on linking marketing with value-based management to ensure maximum return on the brand related expenditure.- Responsible for all financial accounting operations, including the presence of appropriate controls to ensure timely and accurate reporting. This will be in accordance with company guidelines and statutory/fiscal requirements.- Supporting the business in strategic investing for growth in customer trade channels. You will deliver the best in customer service, win at point-of-purchase and build brands through customers.- Developing a deeper understanding of customer and trade marketing or sourcing and supply management. Show less

• 

  PEP

  May 2016 - Dec 2017

  Import Clerk

  - Managed daily accounting tasks including tracking business expenses, paying invoices and preparing bank deposits.- Retrieving data (e.g. ageing, amounts outstanding, type of claims outstanding) from MMS (in house system) and create reports in MS Excel & MS Word- Administering the documentation and calculations for all Marine Insurance related incidents- Administration of financial import claims (e.g. finalise claims, communicate with suppliers/buyers with regard to claims, etc.)- Resolving & maintaining reconciliations of import claims Show less

• 

  Auditor-General of South Africa

  Jan 2018 - now

  - Conduct research and ensure an adequate understanding of the auditee’s business environment including risks that may potentially affect the audit process- Engaging with different sections regarding risks identified and come up with procedures to mitigate risks- Plan and scope the audit assignment effectively. Allocate resources, define deadlines and ensure appropriate project management is implemented and monitored.- Discuss the audit objectives, audit approach, focus areas and criteria with the audit team in line with AGSA methodology- Review the audit and management report to audit and quality standards and discuss findings with SM- Manage performance (including poor performance) to ensure that the team is productive and will contribute to achievement of organisational goals- Managing stakeholder relationships between the audit team, client as well as other support functions.- Manage project financials including budgets, timely billing and collection and variance recognition.- Facilitate engagement meetings (entrance engagement) with management of auditees to discuss the scope, focus areas, objectives, methodology and due dates and request management to provide the audit team with relevant contact names, policies and procedures and any other information to assist in conducting the audit successfully. Show less - Coach the team and ensure that the audit is executed (planning, execution and reporting) within the required quality standards.- Forming and sustaining strategic client relationships- Performing planning and completion activities of the engagements and field work in complex areas including review of implementation of new financial reporting standards- Obtaining an understanding of each client’s business, accounting systems- Leading team and client meetings, presenting at Audit Committee meetings- Provide on the job training, coaching, mentorship and support to the team- Implement initiatives for creation of talent pipeline and succession planning addressing any people matters that may arise from the team- Interpretation and analysis of financial information, management accounts and non-financial information- Visiting clients on-site and being a point of contact for the client throughout the year - Regularly review audit working papers and ensure that TA’s are coached and trained to complete tasks and meet competencies- Prepare well written management and audit report and ensure that it is written in compliance with relevant quality standards.- Monitor own and team recoverability and manage resources to comply with budget targets. Show less

  • Audit Manager

    Feb 2023 - now

  • Assistant Audit Manager

    Jan 2018 - Jul 2023