Christopher Koutsouvelis
Entrepreneurial Chartered Accountant (Eligible)
Greek (EU) and South African Citizenship
33 years old
Driving License
Amsterdam (1064 DE) Netherlands
Unemployed
Available
27 year old Entrepreneurially minded Chartered Accountant (SA) (Eligible to register) currently residing in Amsterdam. Sociable, Excellent Communication and Interpersonal Skills. Passionate problem solver and quick to adapt to new situations. Searching to work for the most innovative Companies in the world and reach my full potential.
Entrepreneur/Founder
Licka Lollies
2016
to 2018
- I co-founded a Company called Licka Lollies Pty Ltd in South Africa. This Company was aimed at providing alcoholic ice lollies.
- We created the product, product tested, started marketing and sourcing customers
- The project fell through while trying to grow when an investor pulled out along with other difficulties.
- I learnt valuable lessons regarding setting up an effective team, sales, start up endurance, social media management product creation and being innovative.
External Auditor
Ernst and Young (EY)
January 2015
to December 2017
Johannesburg
South Africa
- Managed multiple teams up to 10 people in my role as supervisor and provided mentoring, training and performance reviews to many of the junior members on audits.
- Experience liaising with stakeholders at executive level (CFO’s, CEO’s, CIO’s, and senior client managers on audits, bankers, attorneys. As well as working closely with the up-line managers. Directors and Partners at EY to solve significant issues encountered.
- Developed strong organizational skills in balancing multiple tasks and experience in delegating and reviewing complex work including: stock, debtors, bank and creditor reconciliation, report writing, top down reviews and unusual trend investigations.
- Performed the Data analytics modelling, Forecasting and Capital budgeting, Valuations, ROI and other valuation techniques.
- Utilised extensive communication, advanced excel skills as well as accounting, taxation, auditing and management accounting knowledge obtained while studying to assist in providing the following services; financial audits, financial statement reviews, preparation of many other reports.
- Experienced in working with a number of different IT systems. Highly competent at finding my way around a new system..
- Advised Companies on accurate financial reporting (IFRS, Companies Act, Tax Act) as well as best practices regarding internal controls within their business cycles. I regularly corrected multiple miss classifications, errors and weaknesses in controls in many Companies.
- Generated efficiencies through problem solving; analyzing and improving upon the procedures and processes within Companies on multiple audits in tight deadline situations
- Important skills were developed through assessment of the Business Risk Analysis including Cash flow and Going Concern analysis on Audits. An in-depth understanding of pain points of Companies in multiple markets and understanding of key drivers in said sectors were developed.
- Life Lessons learnt. Leadership is extremely important in motivating and helping a team succeed. Hence what kind of leader do I want be and follow.
Company Description
My time at EY served part of my formal training requirements for registration with the South African Institution of Chartered Accountants (SAICA). I have successfully demonstrated the proficiency skills required by SAICA as well as the professional examinations (First time) to be a CA SA evidenced by the sign-off of my training contract with EY.
Major Audit Client
Clicks UPD (Listed)
2015
to 2017
- Managed the work of 4 trainees
- Advised and guided the junior team members on the team in order to provide a quality audit
- Responsible for improving problematic Sales and Cost of sales audit process, completed with commendation utilising advanced audit tools and complex analytics
- Managed client expectations by spending important time understanding pain points
- Spent time updated and making recommendations on internal controls within the entity which were followed regarding accounts receivable cycle
- Managed time effectively to complete audit within very tight deadline
Company Description
Clicks is South Africa's leading pharmacy, health and beauty retailer with 500 stores and 390 in-store dispensaries.
Clicks Group is a retail-led healthcare group which has been listed on the JSE Limited since 1996. Through market-leading retail brands Clicks, GNC, The Body Shop, Claire's and Musica, the group has over 837 stores across southern Africa.
Clicks Group is a retail-led healthcare group which has been listed on the JSE Limited since 1996. Through market-leading retail brands Clicks, GNC, The Body Shop, Claire's and Musica, the group has over 837 stores across southern Africa.
Company website
Major Audit Client
Coca Cola (Listed)
2015
to 2017
- Managed work of 3 juniors
- Specific issues were encountered regarding a complex client system. This was resolved through many days consulting and navigating the system to discover how it could be understood and sufficient procedures performed to cover all different aspects from an audit perspective
- Difficulties among the team arose and this was handled through a positive attitude and honest discussions
- Experience managing multiple tasks at the same time were learnt on this audit project.
Major Audit Client
Aveng Ltd
2015
to 2017
- Assisted specifically with construction contracts and complex accounting relating to these contracts
- Performed consolidations
Company Description
Aveng is a South African conglomerate company listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange founded in the 1880s. Originally working on construction, it is engaged in steel, engineering, manufacturing, mining, concessions, public infrastructure and water treatment activities. It is active in Africa, Australia, New Zealand, South East Asia and the Middle East.
World Travel
Various
Since January 2018
- Spent the 2018 year exploring and traveling the world. I traveled to 11 countries collectively around South East Asia, Asia and Europe.
- Learning and interesting experiences I had consisted of:
- Completing a 10 day silent mediation course in India through Dhamma.org,
- Spending 2 weeks at a Yoga Ashram in Rishikesh with Yoga Niketan
- Volunteering at an Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai.
- Working as an English teacher in Romania for Angloville.
- Completing a 10 day silent mediation course in India through Dhamma.org,
- From all these experiences my main take aways have been, better communication skills, versatility, more confidence in uncertainty, improved adaptability to new situations, improved budgeting ability, better negotiating and improved independence.
Volunteer Project Managment
Muang Namsam School
Since 2018
- 3 of us embarked on a project to raise funds and donate supplies to the Muang Namsam School in Laos. We accomplished our goal and within 20 hours managed to raise enough to donate a Laptop, 700 workbooks, 80 math, science and English books, hundreds of pens and pencils, calculators, 23 soccer jerseys, 10 soccer balls, 16 badminton rackets and other games for younger children.
- Valuable skills I learnt include: organizational skills, product sourcing, fund generation, negotiating, motivation, social media.
