1. ISMAIL KARANIE
Ismail.karanie@gmail.com
(+27) 082 449 4090
38 Reeva Road, Lakefield, Benoni
Johannesburg, Gauteng, 1501
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
I am dynamic and results-driven professional with a successful background in auditing, accountancy
and financial management. I am committed to achieving and exceeding demanding targets and
business objectives while remaining focused on providing an exceptional standard and quality of service
to my employers, colleagues and clientele. I possess excellent interpersonal, communication and
analytical skills, the ability to influence decisions, assimilate ideas and concepts, and to develop and
maintain positive internal and external relationships. I enjoy being part of, as well as managing and
motivating, a successful and productive team and thrive in highly pressurised and challenging working
environments.
OBJECTIVE
I am looking to secure a challenging and rewarding new role in my career path, where skills, knowledge
and expertise gained throughout previous experiences in the auditing and financial sectors can be
transferred across and utilised to best effect for the benefit of your organisation.
KEY COMPETENCIES & SKILLS
 Leadership  Problem solving ability
 Good communication skills  Time management and analytical skills
 General management  Ability to work under pressure and meet
deadlines
 Flexibility and adaptable  Accuracy and attention to detail
 Professional demeanour  A good team player
 Good computer skills  Ability to plan, organise and prioritise tasks
 Honesty and integrity  Dedicated and driven
CAREER SUMMARY
01 March 2015 to Current
Westlake Trade & Investments (Pty) Ltd t/a Steel & Build City
The company operates in the wholesale and retail sector of the steel and hardware industry and owns
27 stores predominantly in the Pretoria, Polokwane and Limpopo regions. The core business is the
retail of steel and related hardware for building and construction purposes.
Role and Title:
 Financial Manager
o (Permanent Position)
Duties and Responsibilities:
 Headed up the finance department overlooking the finances and cash flow of the company and
ensuring the finance department, with 9 staff, and the accounting functions are run in an effective,
efficient and timely manner.
 Supervised and reviewed the functions of payroll, creditors, debtors, banking & cash reconciliations.
 Reviewed and inspected the bi-monthly VAT returns, monthly PAYE submissions and attended to
other secretarial duties of the company.
 Acting CEO running the head office with a staff quotient of 16 employees responsible for the day to
day management and operations of the company as well as ensuring the goals and objectives of

2. the company are met and maintained within the defined ideals and methodologies set by the
director and stakeholders.
 Reported to the company CFO.
Achievements:
 Prepared the monthly management pack, maintained the trial balance & general ledger and drafted
the unaudited interim financials.
 Prepared the daily cash flow and monthly cash flow projections and analysis.
 Updated and improved processes over handling of cash through the various stores and the
recoupment percentage of cash spent in the course of business.
 Took on the role of ‘Acting CEO’ when the need arose.
 Attended to the day to day operations and the business strategy of the company on a long term
basis.
 Made vital and important decisions based on actual cash flow and projected figures in order to
ensure profitability.
 Overlooked the buying of stock and monitoring stock levels and rate of sale.
 Ensured monthly expenses are in line with budgets and to ascertain the viability of reducing these
expenses versus alternatives at a lower cost.
 Tasked with improving staff morale and motivated staff to reach targets and higher levels required.
 Performed a risk assessment based on historical & current figures and the overall strategy of the
business to ensure that they are within the expectations of the directors.
 Reporting to the board on the operations and performance of the company and to kept them fully
informed.
 Kept abreast of the current changes in the market and competition for the steel industry.
 Implemented a marketing strategy and sales initiatives to drive and boost sales based on stock
holding and aging.
Reason for leaving:
Seeking an opportunity to grow and secure my career within a stable and reputable organisation.
05 December 2012 to 28 February 2015
Africom International (Pty) Ltd
The company operated in the direct TV and retail industry and owns 40 stores country wide. The main
business was the retail of telecoms & electronics through the Samsung Brand stores and also owned
the Glomail and Galaxy Lifestyle stores throughout South Africa specialising in as seen on TV products.
Role and Title:
 Head Accountant & Financial Manager
o (Permanent Position)
Duties and Responsibilities:
 Ran the accounts department heading up a staff of 6 employees
 Overlooked the creditors, debtors and banking for the company.
 Reported to the company CFO.
 Reconciled the general ledger accounts up to trial balance and prepared the management accounts
 Processed the monthly VAT returns and attended to certain secretarial duties of the company.
Achievements:
 Started off as the accountant in charge of the various bank recons and general ledger accounts.
Promoted into the position of financial manager within 9 months as I detected short falls in the
system and reporting functions that needed urgent attention.
 Prepared the monthly cash flow and 6 month cash flow projections as well as the forecast and
budget.
 Responsible for & assisted in the redesign of the accounting systems and the procedures followed
by the company.

3.  Implemented controls overlooking the accounting and financial aspects of the company.
 Responsible for ensuring all processes and procedures with regards to purchase orders were met
and adhered to and attended to all supplier payments and recons
 Inspected all monthly expenses to ensure they are within budgets and brought on the process of
cutting down on unnecessary expenses
 Ensured the numerous leases that the company was bound to were maintained and accurate
records were kept.
 Performed the business analysis of the company based on historical & current sales and the going
concern viability based on projections and forecasts
 Reporting to the shareholders on the operations and performance of the company and cash flow
projections.
 Developed and monitored budgets for all departments within the company and brought about
strategies for meeting these.
 Attended to the Samsung account personally due its size and complications (rebates, claims, kick -
backs) and brought the account up to date, ensured it was maintained and accurate and in line with
the cash flow budgets of the company.
Reason for leaving:
Sought a more financially stable and secure position to facilitate career growth and personal
development.
02 January 2007 to 04 December 2012
Octagon Chartered Accountants
Medium sized auditing firm situated in Johannesburg, specialising in audit and tax services provided to
privately owned companies. The firm has a vast array of clientele in various different industries requiring
services that included audits, compilations, reviews, write ups, tax & statutory work and due diligence
work.
Role and Title:
 Articles Clerk & Audit Supervisor
o Permanent Position
Duties and Responsibilities:
 Overall audit function – planning, implementation, audit, finalisation and preparation of annual
financial statements.
 Setting up audits in terms of budgets, planning, liaising with clients and staff and reporting to
managers and partners.
 General bookkeeping and accounting write ups
 Completing and submitting VAT and Income Tax returns
 Preparing and submitting Individual tax returns.
 Reported to both manager and directly to partners.
 Due diligence reports and assessments & assistance in design and implementation of controls in
clients companies.
Achievements:
 Completed my SAICA articles training contract and was promoted to audit supervisor.
 Gained invaluable experience working on audits for clients in various different sectors including the
motor industry, manufacturing and distribution concerns, the clothing and logistics sectors as well
as property and medical equipment companies.
 Built a good repertoire and relationship with clients, partners and co-workers.
 Maintained a good work ethic and ensured jobs were completed within allocated budgets.
 Worked in a team environment as well as independently to ensure client satisfaction
 Assisted in the timeous collection of the firm’s debtors’ book.

4. Reason for leaving:
Sought to further my career within the corporate world by broadening my knowledge and gaining
experience by using and applying myself to new challenges.
02 January 2000 to 31 December 2006
The Factory Shop
A family run haberdashery business situated in Groblersdal, where I worked part time to earn an extra
income and to assist in paying for my studies.
Role and Title:
 Sales, Admin & Bookkeeping
o Temporary Position & Vacation work
Duties and Responsibilities:
 Cashier responsible for daily takings and cash ups.
 Stock control – Ordering stock based on stock levels and responsible for the buying and pricing of
stock.
 Full bookkeeping function
 Completing and submitting VAT returns
Achievements:
 Ran the store independently and ensured profitability.
 Facilitated the sale of the business upon the retirement of my grandparents.
Reason for leaving:
To pursue and advance in my chosen career.
EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS
Tertiary education: (2003 to 2007)
 Bachelor of Commerce degree attained at the University of Johannesburg in May of 2007.
 Student Number: 920104392
 Majored in Accounting with the following subjects:
o Accountancy
o Auditing
o Taxation
o Financial Management
Secondary education: (1995 to 2000)
 Completed my matric at Liverpool Secondary School in December 2000.
 Passed on higher grade with the following subjects:
o English
o Afrikaans
o Mathematics
o Accounting
o Physical Science
o Geography
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & TRAINING
SAICA Articles:
 Attained my 3 year training contract / learnership agreement in January 2010 by completed the
work attendance and core experience hours required and meeting the necessary objectives.
o Trainee number: 20002392
o Learnership Code: 701/Q010002/00/480/07

5. IT SKILLS
Software Packages
 Caseware Level: Advanced
 Taxware Level: Advanced
 Accountmate Level: Advanced
 Palladium Level: Intermediate
 Qlikview Level: Advanced
 Kerridge K8 Level: Advanced
 Pastel Level: Advanced
 MS Office (Excel, Word, Power point, Outlook) Level: Advanced
 SAP Level: Intermediate
PERSONAL STATEMENT
Having attained a degree in commerce and completed my articles training, I moved into the corporate
world to gain exposure and further my knowledge from a practical standpoint with a great enthusiasm
and a willingness to learn. My greatest attributes are integrity, good communication skills, and being a
team player and people person. I have good work flexibility, strong business acumen, and excellent
analytical & numeric skills. Thinking out of the box, and problem solving are some of my best skills. The
foundation of my achievements to date lies in my ability to organise my time effectively, prioritise tasks,
and use my initiative to come up with solutions to problems.
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
I have a tendency of keeping up to date with current news and abreast of the latest international trends
and technologies.
My passion is cycling and I intent to one day attend the Tour de France – as a spectator, of course
I enjoy all forms and interactions relating to soccer and am a fan of Chelsea Football Club.
Coffee is my favourite luxury and I plan to be an amateur connoisseur of this remarkable bean
REFERENCES
References are available on request.