Ottone Chipara
Johannesburg
Summary
Dynamic and detail-oriented Senior Accountant and Finance Lead with a proven track record in managing comprehensive finance operations across multi-entity, multi-currency, and cross-border environments. Expertise in establishing accounting functions, ensuring compliance, enhancing financial controls, and delivering precise reporting within high-growth sectors such as technology, training, recruitment, and event management. Skilled in system implementations, financial governance, tax management, and audit leadership to drive organizational success. Adept at collaborating with executive teams, auditors, banks, and regulators to facilitate strategic decision-making and achieve operational excellence.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Accountant & Finance Lead
Entelect Software Zimbabwe (Entersoft Pvt Ltd)
04.2023 - 10.2025
- Spearheaded the establishment of the Zimbabwe entity, overseeing all regulatory registrations: ZIDA, ZIMRA, VAT, PAYE, NSSA, ZIMDEF, SDL, and opening of the Stanbic Bank account.
- Designed the full Chart of Accounts and implemented robust financial processes during the startup phase.
- Managed complete accounting operations: AP, AR, reconciliations, journals, management accounts, statutory compliance, and financial reporting.
- Reviewed payroll reports generated from Sage 300 People, including variance analysis, bank-file generation, employee validations, and statutory submissions.
- Led the migration from Xero to Sage Intacct, including data extraction, mapping, validation, multicurrency alignment, and cut-over procedures.
- Managed cross-border invoicing to Entelect SA on a Cost + 10% basis and coordinated receipt allocations with Stanbic Treasury.
- Prepared and submitted VAT returns, QPDs, PAYE, NSSA, ZIMDEF, SDL, and annual income tax filings.
- Coordinated RBZ liquidation processes, ensuring compliance and accurate conversion of ZWL/ZWG amounts for USD reporting.
- Served as the primary contact for auditors and tax advisors (Baker Tilly, during the period they served in both roles) and later transitioned tax advisory responsibilities to BDO to avoid self-review concerns, ensuring timely completion of audit cycles and advisory engagements.
- Drafted board packs, governance documentation, board resolutions, and maintained statutory records.
- Managed office lease negotiations with Joina City and First Mutual, including arranging bank guarantees and preparing board documentation.
- Provided cross-border support to Entelect South Africa during staff leave cycles, including supplier approvals, reconciliations, and FloQast activities, with FloQast serving as the group's central close-management and tracking system.
- Built the finance function from zero into a fully compliant, efficient, and audit-ready department.
- Strengthened audit and tax compliance, significantly reducing year-end queries and improving external audit outcomes.
- Enhanced treasury controls and multi-currency reconciliation processes, enabling reliable USD financial reporting.
Accountant (Group Finance Support)
ServeSA Trading (Pty) Ltd
06.2023 - 06.2025
- Prepared monthly management accounts, GL reconciliations, and performance reports.
- Managed VAT201, EMP201, and Provisional Tax (IRP6) submissions.
- Assisted auditors and liaised with tax advisors to resolve compliance matters.
- Led migration from Sage 50 (Pastel) to Sage Intacct, including mapping, validation, and user training.
- Utilised Investec Bank Feeds for automated reconciliation and improved cashflow visibility.
- Updated payroll journals, maintained fixed asset register, and processed W&T adjustments.
- Managed debtors, creditors, and general ledger maintenance.
- Created and maintained cost centres for over 10 ICT training hubs, ensuring accurate cost allocation and centre-level profitability.
- Managed invoicing, supplier payments, and processed recruitment commission calculations.
- Delivered a successful Sage 50 Sage Intacct migration, improving reporting efficiency and accuracy.
- Enhanced cost-centre level visibility through improved coding structures and allocations.
- Ensured full compliance through timely and accurate SARS submissions.
Accountant
MyActive (Pty) Ltd
01.2024 - 02.2025
- Managed billing cycles using an Excel-based invoice generator integrated with Sage Pastel (Sage 50).
- Performed comprehensive event-related bank reconciliations.
- Allocated receipts, maintained AR ageing, and issued statements.
- Calculated 5% commission and processed client remittances via Investec.
- Processed participant refunds and addressed customer and client billing queries.
- Managed invoicing for website hosting and digital marketing services.
- Achieved consistent accuracy in event collections, client payouts, and reconciliation processes.
- Strengthened controls, reducing billing disputes and improving turnaround times.
Accountant
Eastvaal Motors
06.2016 - 04.2023
- Managed full accounting operations for multiple dealerships, including AP, AR, cashbooks, GL reconciliations, and monthly reporting.
- Performed detailed stocktake preparations, variance analysis, and coordinated stocktake outcomes with parts managers and branch managers.
- Prepared commission calculations for sales staff based on approved incentive structures and submitted inputs for payroll processing.
- Managed bank reconciliations across multi-branch accounts and processed supplier payments through the FNB online banking platform.
- Reconciled vehicle sales, cost of sales, warranties, floorplan financing, and OEM-related claims.
- Maintained the fixed asset register, posted depreciation journals, and ensured compliance with group accounting policies.
- Supported auditors through preparing audit schedules, supplying supporting documents, and resolving audit queries.
- Worked extensively with Automate Evolve and Excel for all accounting, reporting, costing, and reconciliation work.
- Ensured adherence to internal controls, dealership policies, and OEM reporting requirements.
- Successfully supported accounting for several dealerships concurrently, ensuring consistent and accurate reporting.
- Enhanced efficiency in commission calculation processes, reducing payroll correction queries and dispute rates.
Education
B Com Special Honours - Accounting
Great Zimbabwe University
11.2025
Associate Chartered Management Accountant - undefined
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
06.2022
Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) - undefined
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants/ American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (CIMA/AICPA)
06.2022
Advanced Diploma - Accounting and Business
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
09.2016
Skills
- Compliance audit facilitation
- Financial audit assistance
- Cash flow analysis and management
- Financial statement analysis
- Accurate payroll processing
- Sage Intacct
- Xero
- Investec, Stanbic & FNB Online Banking Platforms
- Sage Pastel / Sage 50
- FloQast (Close-Management & Tracking System)
- Microsoft Excel (Advanced: Modelling, Lookups,
- Pivot Tables, Analytics)
- QuickBooks
Languages
English
Ndebele
Zulu
Shona
Timeline
Accountant
MyActive (Pty) Ltd
01.2024 - 02.2025
Accountant (Group Finance Support)
ServeSA Trading (Pty) Ltd
06.2023 - 06.2025
Senior Accountant & Finance Lead
Entelect Software Zimbabwe (Entersoft Pvt Ltd)
04.2023 - 10.2025
Accountant
Eastvaal Motors
06.2016 - 04.2023
Associate Chartered Management Accountant - undefined
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) - undefined
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants/ American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (CIMA/AICPA)
Advanced Diploma - Accounting and Business
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
B Com Special Honours - Accounting
Great Zimbabwe University