Zanele Y.

Operations Associate

Gauteng, South Africa13 yrs 3 mos experience
Highly Stable

Key Highlights

  • 15 years of experience in finance and operations.
  • Expert in financial modeling and ROI optimization.
  • Proven track record in driving operational efficiency.
Stackforce AI infers this person is a Finance and Operations expert with a strong focus on data-driven decision-making.

Contact

Skills

Core Skills

Financial ManagementData AnalysisProduct MarketingData VisualizationFinancial ModelingCorporate FinanceAccounting

Other Skills

Financial ReportingVariance AnalysisCash Flow ManagementRisk ManagementInternal ControlsAuditingFinance complianceData visualisationOperations ManagementProcurementFederal Grants ManagementDonor ReportingMarketing StrategyBudgetingVendor Management

About

I am a Finance & Operations leader with 15 years of experience turning financial investment into measurable business growth, operational efficiency, and strategic impact. My career sits at the intersection of finance, data, and commercial execution, where I build systems that don’t just report performance, but actively drive it. I specialise in turning marketing and operational spend into measurable revenue, margin, and ROI *Building financial models, ROI frameworks, and revenue attribution systems *Designing scalable BI environments (Power BI, SQL, automation)• Leading cross-functional teams across finance, marketing, and operations Embedding governance, compliance, and financial discipline into business strategy *Driving operational efficiency through process optimisation and data-led decision-making I’ve successfully Built and led internal revenue-generating marketing functions and MDF-driven initiatives *Managed multi-vendor budgets and financial planning across complex commercial environments *Developed ROI calculators and performance tracking models to optimise investment decisions * Improved reporting visibility through dashboards and data automation * Strengthened financial controls, audit readiness, and compliance frameworks * Partnered with stakeholders to align financial performance with strategic business objectives. Currently, as a Finance &Operations Manager, I oversee financial management, compliance, donor reporting, and operational execution within a non-profit environment ensuring sustainability, transparency, and impact. I bring a unique combination of financial expertise, data capability, and commercial thinking, enabling organisations to scale efficiently while maintaining strong governance and performance visibility.

Experience

Skateistan

Finance and Operations Manager

Jan 2026Present · 2 mos · South Africa · Hybrid

  • Lead end-to-end financial operations including budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, and reporting
  • Oversee monthly accounting cycles, including reconciliations, journals, and general ledger accuracy
  • Ensure compliance with SARS regulations (PAYE, UIF, Income Tax), audit requirements, and internal controls
  • Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports with variance analysis for leadership decision-making
  • Manage grant funding, donor reporting, and fund allocation tracking to ensure transparency and compliance
  • Support financial planning and budgeting aligned with organisational and programme objectives
  • Oversee procurement, vendor management, facilities, and operational budgets to ensure efficiency
  • Monitor and improve operational processes to optimise cost control and performance
  • Support HR functions including recruitment, onboarding, and performance management
  • Collaborate with project teams to align financial performance with programme execution
  • Maintain financial systems (e.g. Xero), asset registers, and inventory records
  • Drive process improvements to enhance reporting accuracy, efficiency, and scalability
  • Leverage data analysis and financial modelling to support strategic planning and decision-making
Financial ManagementFinancial ReportingVariance AnalysisCash Flow ManagementRisk ManagementInternal Controls+8

Tarsus distribution

Product Marketing Manager & Internal Agency Strategist

Apr 2023Jul 2025 · 2 yrs 3 mos

  • Spearheaded the management of 60+ global vendors (HP, Dell, Microsoft, Sophos), driving MDF strategies to maximise funding and brand ROI.
  • Developed and implemented an ROI Calculator to track marketing spend vs. revenue, resulting in
  • increased lead generation ROI and marketing-influenced revenue.
  • Designed and launched real-time Power BI dashboards for C-level stakeholders, providing accurate
  • insights into campaign effectiveness, fund utilization, and partner contributions.
  • Created a forecasting model for internal agency revenue, improving financial predictability and
  • enabling quarterly profit scaling.
  • Streamlined vendor activity workflows, reducing approval cycle times and increasing partner
  • satisfaction.
  • Collaborated with Marketing Coordinators to execute 200+ campaigns annually, achieving vendor KPIs
  • and enhancing brand exposure.
  • Delivered data-driven market insights to optimise spend allocation and drive YoY revenue growth.
Product MarketingMarketing StrategyFinancial ReportingBudgetingData VisualizationVendor Management+4

teljoy

2 roles

Assistant Financial Analyst

Promoted

Aug 2017Mar 2023 · 5 yrs 7 mos

  • Core team member in FP&A, scenario modeling, and financial performance analysis.
  • Developed 3-statement financial models used for scenario testing, cost optimisation, and long-term
  • planning, resulting in a increase in profit margins.
  • Automated cash flow forecasting and variance analysis, streamlining reporting timelines and enhancing
  • treasury decision-making.
  • Delivered monthly management reports, budget analyses, and KPI updates to the senior executive team, improving decision cycles.
  • Oversaw VAT reconciliations and intercompany accounts, ensuring full compliance and reducing errors.
  • Supervised AR/AP teams and optimized operational workflows, leading to a reduction in month-end
  • closing timelines.
Financial ModelingAdvanced Power BIAdvanced TableauCorporate FinanceAnalytical SkillsBookkeeping+1

Intercompany Bookkeeper

Aug 2017Jan 2022 · 4 yrs 5 mos

  • Reconciled over 28,000 accounts monthly, resolving discrepancies and ensuring compliance with audit
  • and tax standards.
  • Implemented automated billing and invoicing procedures that improved financial efficiency.
  • Contributed to the preparation of management accounts and financial statements used in board-level
  • decision-making.
  • Supported budgeting, VAT submissions, and turnover reconciliations using SAP and advanced Excel for
  • robust reporting.

Financial accounting services

Tax Administrator

Jan 2017Aug 2017 · 7 mos · Gauteng

  • Prepared and submitted tax returns.
  • Managed VAT processes.
  • Handled CIPC administration.
  • Completed debtors reconciliations.
Income TaxAccounting

Brooklyn primary school

Bookkeeper | Financial Operations & School Grant Management

Apr 2013Apr 2016 · 3 yrs

  • Managed full-spectrum financial operations including procurement, payroll, grant funding, and
  • statutory submissions.
  • Produced monthly reports, maintaining accuracy on accounts payable/receivable, and ensured
  • transparent use of government funds.
  • Strengthened supplier negotiation terms and improved cash flow planning through better stakeholder
  • coordination.
Debtor/CreditorMicrosoft ExcelAccountingCredit ManagementFinancial Management

Gulfstream energy (pty) ltd

2 roles

Junior Accountant

Promoted

Mar 2012Apr 2013 · 1 yr 1 mo

  • Managed VAT, revenue reporting, and reconciliations for petroleum sales.
  • Prepared financials for board review, supported compliance controls, and maintained supplier payment processes.
  • AR/AP
Microsoft ExcelAccountingOffice Administration

Receptionist

Aug 2011Mar 2012 · 7 mos

  • Managed the reception area, greeting and directing visitors, including fuel suppliers, clients, and other
  • stakeholders.
  • Answered and directed incoming calls, taking messages and providing information related to fuel
  • deliveries, schedules, and company services.
  • Received, sorted, and distributed daily mail, deliveries, and courier shipments, which often included
  • invoices, delivery documents, and contracts.
  • Maintained the reception area, ensuring it was tidy and presentable.
  • Provided administrative support, including typing, filing, and photocopying documents, such as delivery
  • notes, safety guidelines, and client communications.

Education

ExploreAI Academy

Data Science — Machine learning

May 2025Present

Corporate Finance Institute® (CFI)

Certification — Financial Modelling & Valuation Analyst

Jun 2020Present

Corporate Finance Institute® (CFI)

Financial Planning & Wealth Management — Accounting and Finance

Dec 2021Jan 2023

Corporate Finance Institute® (CFI)

Commercial Real Estate Finance Specialization — Real Estate Development

Jan 2022Nov 2022

Corporate Finance Institute® (CFI)

ESG Specialization

Jan 2022Dec 2022

CFA Institute

Chartered Financial Analyst Level 1 (attempted) — Investments and Securities

Jan 2021Jan 2022

University of South Africa/Universiteit van Suid-Afrika

Financial Accounting

Jan 2014Mar 2016

University of South Africa/Universiteit van Suid-Afrika

National Diploma Credit Management — Credit Management

Jan 2009Jan 2013

Pretoria Technical High School

Electrical — Electronic and Communications Engineering Technology/Technician

Jan 2003Dec 2007

Stackforce found 100+ more professionals with Financial Management & Data Analysis

Explore similar profiles based on matching skills and experience