Danayi Kachere, CFA, ACCA

+263 772 422 260 · +263 772 489 441 · danykays@gmail.com

Accomplished finance executive with 17 years of expertise in elevating financial performance and driving sustainable
growth and shareholder value across diverse industries, including agriculture, mining, financial services and FMCG.
Seasoned in mergers and acquisitions and leading successful turnaround strategies including debt restructuring, capital
raising, and investor relations. Oversees complex financial structures, treasury management, and risk mitigation whilst
ensuring regulatory compliance and financial transparency. Skilled at financial planning, budgeting, and leveraging
technology (MS Office, Bloomberg, Pastel, Sun System, GMS, SAP Financial Module) and analytics to drive efficiency and
informed decision-making. Adept at fostering productive cross-functional collaboration and leading high-performing
finance teams.

Industry Expertise
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Financial Strategy · Investment Analysis · Financial Modelling · Financial Reporting. Equity Investments · Compliance · Audit
Coordination · Budgeting & Forecasting · Treasury Management · Strategic Planning
Risk Management · Taxation · Financial Analysis

Professional Experience

July 2021 – September 2023 Head of Finance, Northern Tobacco Private Limited

• Managed a US$150 million revenue budget, oversaw a statement of financial position worth US$180 million, and
treasury management of US$160 million in facilities.
• Coordinated the internal and external audit programs within budget timelines and ensured audited financial
statements are prepared in accordance with IFRS.
• Generated comprehensive financial reports and presented insights to management and the Board of Directors.
• Led the annual budgeting process, meticulously aligning financial plans with strategic objectives and
monitoring the business’s financial performance against set targets.
• Coordinated cash flow planning, working capital management, procurement and importation of raw materials.
• Engaged collaboratively with the legal team to consistently evaluate the implications of emerging regulations,
providing strategic advice to senior management regarding the effects of new regulations and regulatory
changes.
• Grower management, which included ensuring growers are paid timeously and their accounts are updated with
all inputs advanced.
• Implemented robust accounting procedures and policies to maintain compliance standards and effectively
mitigate risk.
• Supervised the timely submission of statutory returns, including NSSA, ZIMDEF, VAT, WHT, income tax, and
QPD’s, ensuring strict adherence to deadlines and full compliance with RBZ exchange control regulations.
• Effectively managed strategic relationships with banks, regulatory authorities and other stakeholders.
• Managed Performance of the finance team (17 employees) through the identification, development and retention
of key talent.
Achievements
• Successfully negotiated cost-efficient forward contracts with inputs suppliers, effectively cushioning contracted
tobacco farmers from inflation stemming from supply chain disruptions caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict
• Accelerated the value chain which reduced the working capital cycle by 60 days resulting in a 10% reduction in
the cost of production for growers.
• Introduced a treasury management reporting model ensuring 100% compliance with loan terms and
conditions.
May 2017 – June 2021 Financial Controller, Northern Tobacco Private Limited

• Prepared and consolidated monthly management accounts.

• Oversaw financial modelling, forecasting and preparation of financial and operational reports and the FD’s
quarterly report for presentation to the Board.
• Prepared annual financial statements in accordance with IFRS and tax regulations.
• Submitted statutory returns, NSSA, ZIMDEF, VAT, WHT, income tax, QPD’s within the stipulated deadlines and
ensure compliance with the RBZ exchange control regulations.
• Coordinated cash flow planning, working capital management, procurement and importation of raw materials.
• Prepared annual budgets and spearheaded cost control, monitoring and reporting of actual performance against
budgets and forecasts.
• Monitored the company’s loan book and ensured all agreements and deadlines were adhered to
• Managed relationships with banks, regulatory authorities, and other stakeholders.
• Developed and implemented effective internal controls and compliance procedures, ensuring adherence to
financial regulations.
• Led capital expenditure and projects evaluation including profitability assessment.
• Managed a team of 15 finance professionals, driving improved processes and procedures for better financial
management.
•
Achievements
• Reduced management accounts production time by automating month end reporting procedures.
• Slashed financial risks by 50% by implementing risk management strategies and ensuring financial stability for
the organisation.
• Designed and executed financial forecasting models that accurately projected financial performance, enabling
informed decision-making by senior management.
• Decreased costs by 25% by overhauling and improving the departmental budgeting process.

January 2016 – April 2017 Group Business Analyst, Rift Valley Holdings

• Oversaw the turnaround of Rift Valley Holdings business units’ financial performance by identifying and advising
on the implementation of value addition strategies.
• Devised strategies to optimise the capital structure of business units and assisted in capital raising, debt
restructuring and structured finance deals.
• Tracked market developments to enhance business performance and assisted business units in developing
appropriate tactical and strategic plans.
• Reviewed monthly management accounts and conducted financial analysis to gain insight into performance
• Managed stakeholder relations and liaison with banks, potential investors and shareholders
• Provided advisory services to group companies to update key performance indicators, interpreting cost
accounting data and recommending solutions to cost accounting problems.
• Collaborated with Group Finance & Business Unit Finance to prepare for due diligence processes and provided
technical support.
• Piloted investment appraisals and assessed the impact of proposed mergers, acquisitions and disposal of
companies
• Built multi-year integrated financial models used for budgeting, equity, refinancing or valuation purposes

April 2013 – December 2015 Group Accountant, Rift Valley Holdings

June 2009 – March 2013 Accountant, Rift Valley Holdings

• Prepared group financial statements and assisted the Group Finance Manager in coordinating annual audits
• Leveraged data from financial analysis to prepare entries to accounts e.g., general ledger accounts and
documenting business transactions.
• Coordinated the implementation of accounting and accounting control procedures across the group
• Prepared statutory returns for head office and submitted within stipulated timeframes
• Provided advisory services to subsidiary financial controllers during the budgeting process.
• Supervised the operations of 12 subsidiary accountants performing accounting and bookkeeping tasks for the
group.
August 2008 – June 2009 Accountant, Shabanie Mine

• Spearheaded the financial analysis of group companies, prepared group financial statements, and compiled
annual audit schedules for the group.
• Prepared and submitted statutory returns.

February 2008 – July 2008 Accountant, First Bank Securities

• Collaborated in the management of company pension fund portfolio ensuring timely rebalancing of portfolio to
targeted weights and reviewed the portfolio performance of high-net-worth clients.
• Oversaw treasury management and money market investments.
• Prepared monthly management accounts and annual financial statements.

July 2006 – January 2008 Assistant Accountant, Redstar Wholesalers

• Prepared and consolidated monthly management accounts and annual financial statements for 40 branches
• Oversaw bank reconciliations and review of general ledger journals.

Professional Qualifications

2011 – 2014 Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Charter holder, CFA Institute-USA

2010 – 2013 Bachelor of Science in Applied Accounting (First Class), Oxford Brookes University

2009 – 2010 Member, ACCA – UK

(Awarded best Zimbabwean student in Advanced Performance Management)

2002 – 2006 Bachelor of Business Studies in Banking & Finance, University of Zimbabwe

References

Lysius Karimanzira
Group Finance Director – Cicada Group
+263 772 565 932
lkarimanzira@cicada.africa

Stephen Mazambani
Group Internal Audit Director-Rift Valley Holdings
+263 782 719 820
smazambani@riftvalley.com

Kudakwashe Pisirai
Group Human Resources Director – Rift Valley Holdings
+263 772 470 643
kpisirai@riftvalley.com