Madelaine Woest

MADELAINE WOEST Financial Systems Consultant & Finance Business Partner Executive Summary: Highly strategic and results-driven financial professional with 10+ years of senior leadership experience spanning core accounting, systems integration, and strategic data analysis. Expert in bridging the gap between financial governance and technical execution, specializing in utilizing advanced Excel and Power BI to transform chaotic ERP data into reliable, real-time Profitability Dashboards (COGS, GP, Budget vs. Actual). Proven ability to streamline operations, manage international reporting (UK, SA), and drive significant Business Process Improvement (BPI) to ensure data integrity and maximize the bottom line. Contact:- | Email:-Location: 29 Marabou Crescent, Somerset West LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/madelaine-woest-a3b092321 FEATURED ACHIEVEMENT • Cash Flow Rescue: Applied advanced Excel and financial governance expertise to audit the accounts receivable system of a client facing bankruptcy, successfully identifying and recovering over R8 million in unaccounted, outstanding debtors. This intervention stabilized the client’s cash flow and saved the company from potential liquidation. CORE COMPETENCIES & TECHNICAL SKILLS • Advanced Microsoft Excel (Financial Modeling & Data Governance) • Advanced Power BI Desktop: Data Modeling & Visualization • Financial Business Partnering and Leadership • Business Process Improvement (BPI) & Workflow Optimization • ERP/Financial System Optimization (Pastel, SAP Exposure) • Full Financial Analysis (GP, COGS, Variance) PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Owner & CEO | Woest Consultants (Pty) Ltd | City of Cape Town, SA April 2022 – Present • Power BI Solution Delivery: Design and deploy end-to-end Power BI solutions, specializing in advanced data modeling to consolidate disparate sources (ERP, Sales, Inventory) into actionable profitability and operational dashboards. • Strategic Data Roadmaps: Develop custom Data Strategy blueprints, ensuring data investments directly align with core financial objectives and competitive advantage. • Business Process Improvement (BPI): Analyze existing financial and operational workflows to identify bottlenecks and deliver optimization recommendations that drive measurable time and cost savings. Financial Manager | Logic Customs Solutions (Pty) Ltd | City of Cape Town, SA April 2016 – April 2024 (8 years 1 month) • Financial Strategy & Profitability: Developed comprehensive data models for accurate forecasting, budget creation, and continuous Variance Analysis against actuals, translating data into clear, actionable recommendations that significantly improved profitability. • Core Financial Governance: Oversaw the full financial function up to Trial Balance (TB), including general ledger, debtors, creditors, and monthly financial reporting. Managed cash flow, taxation, external audits, and all accounting policy governance. • Data Integrity & Systems: Managed financial system (ERP) optimization to enhance data integrity and reporting efficiency, including streamlining internal controls and developing a live Declarations Journal for real-time customs tracking. Operations Manager | Shower Company (Pty) Ltd | Roodepoort, SA September 2013 – December 2015 • Drove profitability by developing, controlling, and analyzing operational budgets and ensuring cost-effective resource allocation for fleet compliance and servicing. • Led ISO 9001:2015 system management, establishing strong internal procedures for quality governance and process optimization. Administrative Manager | EUREKA DIY Solutions | Florida, SA February 2012 – August 2013 • Designed and implemented efficient systems for both financial and administrative reporting, ensuring accurate data flow for timely decision-making. • Maintained smooth inventory flow and handled compliance for import/export operations, including the coordination of road shipments. CONSOLIDATED CAREER HISTORY (UK & Logistics Focus) Senior Bookkeeper | Blacksmith Africa Interior Design | Sandton, SA (July 2009 – Dec 2011) • Managed the full bookkeeping functions, produced accurate month-end accounts, and performed detailed project budgeting and cost analysis for large-scale creative projects. Management Accountant (UK Contracts) | Reuters, BBC, Transport for London | London, UK (Nov 2004 – April 2009) • Managed SAP fixed asset reporting (Reuters), executed full project costing lifecycle and budget forecasting (BBC), and controlled critical accounting mechanisms, including accruals and prepayments, ensuring strict data integrity for month-end reporting (Transport for London). Logistics Manager | W&M Transport | Johannesburg, SA (Jan 2001 – Sept 2004) • Led the optimization of fleet operations to ensure maximum cost-effectiveness. Conducted strategic rate negotiations with transporters, utilizing cost analysis to secure favorable terms that reduced operational expenditure. EDUCATION • B.Com Business Management, Accounting and Business/Management University of Johannesburg January 1997 – December 1999 • Microsoft Power BI Desktop for Business Intelligence