William Grimes

1 William Spencer Grimes About Me / Professional Profile I thrive in dynamic environments, having honed my skills working with start-up companies where I often became "the system before the system." I specialize in creating tailored solutions to bridge gaps where existing systems fall short, ensuring these solutions are user-friendly and deliver measurable value to the business. My expertise spans financial management, marketing strategies, data analysis, operational efficiency, training, and coaching. With a proactive mindset, I bring creativity, consistency, and a focus on continuous improvement to every project. As an advanced Excel specialist, I craft data-driven insights and automate processes to empower decision-making. My collaborative approach, strategic thinking, and leadership qualities make me a valuable partner in driving business success. Personal Information:- - 106 Forest Hill, 900 Koedoeberg Road, Faerie Glen, Pretoria https://bit.ly/3oBMEJM http://bit.ly/3oFgNrv Highlights of Achievements & Awards: Financial & Cost Savings Achievements  Recovered R1 million from Telkom at Blue Financial Services by identifying billing discrepancies and negotiating a refund.  Reduced operational costs by automating key financial processes, improving reporting accuracy, and streamlining workflows.  Saved significant costs by developing Excel-based solutions to replace third-party reporting tools. Sales & Performance Achievements  Optimized sales team performance at GetBucks, implementing datadriven coaching that increased conversion rates and efficiency.  Led a 50-person call center team, achieving consistent top-tier customer service scores and maintaining low complaint rates.  Implemented data analysis techniques that improved loan application turnaround time, increasing customer satisfaction and sales. Process Automation & System Enhancements  Developed a business requirements framework used to improve loan origination systems and customer portals at MyBucks.  Designed and automated daily performance dashboards for collections across 11 countries and 247 branches, providing real-time insights.  Optimized back-office processes for vetting and approvals, reducing processing times and improving operational efficiency. Education: BComm Financial Management (Hons) University of Pretoria (1994 – 1997) Matric Waterkloof High school (1993) Risk & Compliance Achievements  Implemented a risk assessment model for credit approvals that reduced bad debt ratios while maintaining high sales volumes.  Ensured full regulatory compliance across multiple regions by developing reporting structures aligned with financial regulations. General Business Achievements  Led the transition of 49 branches during a major system overhaul, ensuring minimal disruption and improved efficiency.  Trained and mentored teams across Africa, ensuring staff development and motivation through structured training programs. 2 WORK EXPERIENCE: Computer Tech Skills & Literacy: COMPANY: 247 Business Consultants Pty Ltd Place: Pretoria, South Africa Period: Jan 2021 - current Summary: Senior Accountant, Business Consultant, Director.  Office:          MS Excel (Advanced) Word Outlook Access PowerPoint Project Visio PowerBI WordPress Accounting:              Xero Payspace Pastel VIP Payroll Sage Line50/100/One AccPack SAP Trinity Multisoft Quickbooks Omni accounts Syspro Moneyworks Banking/Financial:        Bluefish CreditEase Smartfin ProLoan FAME FinCloud Excalibur    Provided comprehensive accounting services, including payroll processing, data entry, trial balance preparation, and financial statement generation. Developed automated Excel-based solutions to streamline workflows and minimize manual tasks for clients. Designed business plans using LivePlan and PowerPoint to support funding initiatives. Leveraged advanced Excel skills for data analysis, reporting, and process automation to enhance business efficiency. COMPANY: 247 Business Consultants (Pty) Ltd Place: Pretoria, South Africa Period: Jan 2021 – Jun 2021 Summary: Business Consultant, new product line or sales channel for lender in Europe (Working remotely)      Collaborated with CEO Julio Gomez on strategic initiatives to develop a new staff loan product line in Europe, starting with Spain. Conducted weekly Teams meetings with management, legal, and operations teams to align project goals. Designed Excel-based projection models, marketing frameworks, and competitor analysis tools to support business strategy. Delivered presentations and market research to identify opportunities for product innovation and entry strategies. Project concluded due to leadership changes; currently exploring funding opportunities to revive the initiative. COMPANY: Credit Gateway Pty Ltd Place: Pretoria, South Africa Period: Nov 2018 – Dec 2020 Summary: Production Manager/Call Centre Manager. Oversee the management of the call center to produce sales on rehabilitation & credit products      Led a 15-member sales and customer service team, achieving 90% sales budget targets and setting company sales records for rehabilitation products (July 2019). Developed and automated Excel-based reports to track hourly, daily, and monthly operational performance. Optimized business systems by designing and implementing process improvements for efficiency and automation. Created call center workflows, training manuals, and scripts to enhance team performance. Designed and executed marketing plans, including SMS campaigns, activations, social media strategies, and print materials, to drive sales growth COMPANY: MyBucks with GetBucks Pty Ltd Place: Pretoria, South Africa Period: Jun 2012 – Aug 2018 Summary: Country Manager/Production Manager/Call Centre Manager. Head the South African Operations for GetBucks that is a subsidiary of MyBucks group  Oversaw 50 staff members across credit, risk, resolutions, customer service, and regional sales departments while making record-breaking sales. 3     Literacy:           Advanced Excel Business requirement documents Map processes Improve processes Training manuals Project management Basic design Websites manage User friendly centric Remote worker  COMPANY: Blue Financial Services Place: Pretoria, South Africa Period: Aug 2010 – Jun 2012 Summary: Operations Manager/Data Analyst. Supporting 49 branches across South Africa with Head Office vetting process, projects to cut cost & daily reporting to group        Courses & Qualifications: RE1 & RE5 (FAIS) Moonstone (2018) TAG II Growthpoint University (2003) Sales Course Growthpoint University (2003) Junior & middle Management Course Bank SETA (2010) Designed and automated Excel-based reports to track operational performance on an hourly, daily, and monthly basis. Led staff development initiatives, including KPI management, training, coaching, and performance assessments. Conducted data analysis to refine credit policies and enhance profitability. Developed and executed marketing strategies leveraging Google AdWords, SEO, social media, and traditional media to boost sales. Built and managed a broker network, providing training, system support, and performance analysis to drive growth. Supported 49 South African branches by streamlining the Head Office vetting process and improving system efficiency through business requirement development. Designed Excel-based solutions to address system gaps, automate tasks, and improve reporting accuracy. Managed debit card procedures and liaised with third-party vendors for compliance and reporting. Delivered cost-saving results, including a R150k monthly reduction and a R1m refund for a Telkom project. Created daily performance dashboards summarizing collections data across 11 countries, 247 branches, and key metrics. Provided staff training, motivation, and solutions through individual sessions and large-scale campaigns across Africa. Oversaw project management tasks to ensure operational contingency and productivity. COMPANY: Blue Financial Services Place: Pretoria, South Africa Period: Jul 2008 – Aug 2010 Summary: Collections Portfolio Manager (Kenya, Namibia, Swaziland & Rwanda) with a combined debtors book of R230m       Managed a team handling uploads, reconciliations, deposit allocations, reporting, refunds, settlements, and query resolution. Developed Excel-based reporting tools and monthly MIS dashboards for data analysis and portfolio management. Conducted country visits to oversee investigations, provide training, and meet with strategic partners to enhance operations. Built relationships with employers to ensure effective collections. Training manuals to standardize processes and upskill staff across Africa. Collaborated with collections and country managers to implement strategies through regular communication and teleconferences. COMPANY: Blue Financial Services Place: Pretoria, South Africa Period: Feb 2008 – Jun 2008 Summary: Assistant Financial Manager. Responsible for Kenya & Namibia financial statements & all the accounting in-between     Prepared monthly management accounts under EFRS with strict deadlines and delivered quarterly EXCO statistics with comparative analysis. Designed complex Excel spreadsheets for reporting, reconciliations, and financial analysis. Oversaw audits by coordinating with auditors in-country and in South Africa to finalize yearly reports. Managed and trained a team with daily communication and country visits. 4   Expertise & Interests:          Team player Motivator Sales target buster Excel wizard Marketing Simplifier Customer service System thinker Automater   Maintained fixed asset registers, lease records, and electronic filing systems. Handled cashbook entries, journal entries, and reconciliation of balance sheet accounts, intercompany loans, and debtors. Developed yearly budgets, incorporating them into financial reports, and ensured VAT, PAYE, and FOREX compliance with accurate reconciliations. Implemented policies & procedures to streamline & control financial activities. COMPANY: Chubb South Africa Place: Midrand, South Africa Period: Sep 2007 – Dec 2007 Summary: Assistant Accountant. Temporary finance position.     Reconciled creditors, debtors, and COD accounts all branches nationwide. Coordinated the implementation of new COD account procedures with branches and shared service centers. Prepared recurring purchase order accruals and creditors run-rate reports using Excel. Managed vehicle registers, licensing, and traffic fines for compliance. COMPANY: Circle Centre Motors Place: Pretoria, South Africa Period: Sep 2001 – Sep 2006 Summary: Bookkeeper. Family run business with 7 entities including SASOL & ENGEN service stations, 2 tyre shops, coffee shop, property development, trusts, smaller corporations with monthly turnover of around R5m       Managed full-cycle accounting for seven entities, including Sasol and Engen service stations, tire shops, and a coffee shop. Prepared monthly management reports and reconciled accounts payable, receivable, and cashbooks weekly. Processed transactions, daily banking, petty cash, and invoicing, ensuring accurate records. Handled payroll, PAYE, SDL, UIF, VAT, and other statutory compliance. Reconciled over a year’s backlog of accounts and assisted auditors. Maintained ATMs, including daily cash loading and reconciliation. COMPANY: Overseas Visitors Club – Self-employed Place: Pretoria, South Africa Period: Jan 2001 – Sep 2001 Summary: Assistant Accountant. Handled accounting duties    Managed PAYE, SDL, and VAT compliance, resolving outstanding issues efficiently. Assisted with IT support, sales operations, and general office management. Secured auditors and facilitated the establishment of proper financial reporting practices. COMPANY: Scooters! Ltd Place: London, United Kingdom Period: Dec 1999 – Dec 2000 Summary: Assistant Accountant.   Managed purchases, sales, payroll, VAT, and PAYE compliance. Provided support for sales, IT, and general shop operations. COMPANY: Reed Accountancy Personnel Services Place: London, United Kingdom Period: Feb 1998 – Nov 1999 Summary: Assistant accountant, processing up to trial balance. Accounts payable & receivable as well as payroll Ad-hoc reconciliations  Managed accounts payable, receivable, payroll, and ad-hoc reconciliations for Guinness Breweries, Le Pain Croustillant, Blackwell Healthcare, and Autovalet.