FIONA SHELAGH BRETT

Successfully completed an online 3 year degree remotely while living in Tanzania. I chose this path for myself due to not having the opportunity to work in this country as well as having to home school my child while living there.

• Managed daily operations of this farming business, ensuring efficient processes and quality products. As the owner of this small farming operation, I oversaw all aspects of the business, from production to sales, ensuring sustainable practices and profitability.
• Balanced strategic decision-making, hands-on farming, and effective business management to nurture crops while meeting market demands and maintaining financial stability.
• Managed all budgets, financial records, and farm-related income and expenses.
• Created financial plans and budgets to optimize resources, track expenses, and ensure profitability.
• Established loyal customer base by providing personalized attention, addressing concerns promptly, and exceeding expectations.
• Enhanced company reputation by consistently delivering exceptional service quality to customers.
• Hired trained, and supervised staff to maintain high levels of productivity and customer satisfaction.
• Researched trends and current innovations to determine competition and develop competitive pricing points.
• Reduced overhead costs by renegotiating contracts with vendors or suppliers while maintaining product quality standards.
• Managed financial accounts to maintain budget discipline and ensure profitability.
• Organized successful community events that raised brand profile and contributed to significant uptick in brand awareness.
• Identified and built relationships with buyers, distributors, and local markets.
• Planned, managed, and executed daily farm activities, including planting, cultivation, harvesting
• Created marketing plans to promote farm's produce/products.
• Implemented sustainable farming practices to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
• Recruited, trained, and supervised farm workers
• Engaged with customers to build brand loyalty and trust.

• Input financial data and produced reports using Sage Pastel.
• Managing day-to-day financial transactions, maintaining accurate records, and preparation of financial reports.
• Accounts payable function
• Improved cash flow management with timely invoicing and efficient collections practices.
• Managed relationships with external auditors effectively ensuring positive outcomes during annual audits.
• Reconciled account information and reported

figures in general ledger by comparing to bank account statement each month.

• Managed tax compliance tasks, filing accurate returns on time to avoid penalties or interest charges.
• Payroll processing through automation improvements resulting in reduced errors and increased efficiency.
• Minimized losses and checked compliance with internal protocols by analyzing and preparing effective annual budgets.
• Assisted in annual audit preparations, ensuring a smooth process with no major discrepancies found.
• Analyzed and prepared annual budgets to contain costs, minimize losses and assure compliance with internal controls.
• Maintained up-to-date knowledge of relevant accounting standards, ensuring full compliance with IFRS guidelines at all times.
• Provided journal entries and performed accounting on accrual basis.
• Tracked funds, prepared deposits and reconciled accounts.
• Collected and reported monthly expense variances and explanations.
• Maintained integrity of general ledger and chart of accounts.
• Used accounting software to issue tax returns and prepare consolidated reports.
• Tracked business revenue and expenditures and reconciled accounts to maintain high accuracy.
• Mentored and managed junior staff members in accounting best practices, fostering talent development within the department.

• Management of Debtors and Creditors function
• Contributed to successful completion of financial audits through timely preparation of required documentation.
• Improved financial accuracy by reconciling and analyzing account discrepancies on monthly basis.
• Month-end closing process, preparing journal entries
• Cash flow and funding administration and reporting for senior management
• expense claim processing and cashiering
• Tracking, monitoring, and reconciling fixed asset transactions and maintenance of finance lease schedules
• Maximized revenue recognition by closely monitoring invoicing processes for accuracy and timeliness.
• Assessed data and information to verify entry, calculation, and billing code accuracy.
• Management of junior accountant
• Assisting with internal auditors
• Preparation and submission of VAT returns
• Intercompany invoicing, reconciliations and FX movements

• Maintained detailed financial records of accounts receivable and payable status and bank reconciliations.
• Reviewed general ledger entries and assessed accuracy.
• Assisted with timely month-end closing procedures, resulting in accurate financial reporting.
• Facilitated month-end and year-end closing processed to support accuracy and completeness of financial reports.
• Assisted with monthly and quarterly income statements, balance sheets and cash flow reports to inform decision-makers.
• Supported audit preparation efforts by compiling relevant documents and addressing auditor inquiries promptly.
• Provided journal entries and performed accounting on accrual basis.
• Reduced invoice processing time with efficient data entry and verification of accounts payable transactions.
• Processing of payroll
• Processing of expense claims
• Cash flow and funding administration

• Collaborated with sales team to resolve billing discrepancies, resulting in improved customer relationships and increased client satisfaction.
• Prepared billing statements and invoices for customer purchases and recorded transaction date, price and fees to support accuracy.
• Made outbound calls to vendors and customers to discuss and resolve account needs.
• Coordinated with other departments to ensure accurate application of payments, credits, and adjustments to client accounts.
• Supported cash forecasting initiatives by providing accurate data on outstanding receivables and expected payments from clients.
• Reduced outstanding account balances through diligent follow-up on overdue invoices and negotiating payment arrangements with clients.
• Provided exceptional customer service when addressing client inquiries about their account status or billing concerns, building strong, long-lasting relationships.
• Decreased uncollectible debt by closely monitoring accounts and promptly identifying high-risk customers for management review.
• Posted customer payments by recording cash, checks, and credit card transactions.

• Reduced overdue accounts by consistently monitoring receivables and initiating timely follow-ups with clients.
• Successfully reduced debtor days through implementation of strict payment deadlines, clear communication with customers, and persistent follow-up on past due accounts.
• Regularly reviewed customer credit limits, adjusting them based on payment trends and financial health
• Collaborated closely with other departments – such as Sales or Customer Service – to resolve billing issues promptly and prevent future occurrences.
• Evaluated credit risk by conducting thorough reviews of new customer applications, including financial analysis and reference checks.

• Collaborated with other departments to resolve billing errors, ensuring timely payment from clients.
• Reached out to customers to check on payments and convey options.
• Obtained payments and entered details into system.
• Responded to disputes calmly and applied logical, knowledgeable approaches to devise solutions.
• Maintained accurate records of all communications related to debtor management for audit purposes.