Rayno Wasserman, Group Financial Manager
Group Financial Manager
Current Experience:
Group Financial Manager at Weldhagen Eggs · Full-time Jan 2020 - Present · (5 yrs 10 mos)
Past Experiences:
Financial Manager at Powdermix Technologies · Full-time Sep 2012 - Dec 2019 · (7 yrs 4 mos)
Accounting Trainee at Moore Bee Pretoria · Internship Jan 2010 - Aug 2012 · (2 yrs 8 mos)
Qualifications:
BCom Financial Management
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
Rayno Wasserman isn’t your typical Group Financial Manager. He wakes up at 5am. He runs. He reflects. He leads. And when he implemented SAP B1, it wasn’t just a system upgrade, it was a defining moment that changed how the company did business.
Rayno’s not just keeping the books. He’s steering the financial ship, forecasting, budgeting, optimizing risk, and turning numbers into strategy. His tools? ERPs, BI dashboards, scenario models. His secret weapon? A mindset built on ownership, family, and resilience.
If you’ve ever wondered how to survive, and thrive, in finance while staying human in the chaos, Rayno’s story will hit home.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
05:00 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Early Bird
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
I start my morning with a jog.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
My interest in finance was inspired by my father, who worked in the field.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
One of my key career milestones was leading the implementation of SAP B1 at a company I previously worked for.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I manage the full finance function, handling everything from start to finish.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I contribute to the company’s financial strategy through several key areas:
I develop detailed financial plans and budgets that outline revenue, expenses, and profit goals. This helps set clear financial targets for the business.
I identify ways to reduce or manage costs efficiently without affecting quality, improving both profit margins and cash flow.
I monitor and manage cash flow to ensure the company maintains sufficient liquidity to meet short-term obligations, focusing on receivables, payables, and working capital.
I assess potential investments, acquisitions, and expansion opportunities, weighing risks and returns to support the company’s long-term goals.
I work on strategies to boost profitability, including pricing reviews, exploring new revenue streams, and improving operational efficiency.
I identify and mitigate financial risks, such as market fluctuations or credit exposure, through strategies like diversification, hedging, or insurance.
I analyze financial statements regularly to measure performance against objectives and provide insights that guide decision-making.
I help maintain an optimal balance between debt and equity to minimize the cost of capital and support business growth.
I ensure full compliance with financial regulations and tax laws while managing tax obligations strategically to optimize after-tax profits.
What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your role? How did you overcome it?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced in my role is managing the company’s cash flow on a daily basis.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
To manage the company’s financial operations effectively, I rely on a combination of systems and strategies that ensure accuracy, visibility, and sound decision-making. ERP systems help integrate financial and operational data across departments, while budgeting and forecasting tools set clear financial targets and track progress. I closely monitor cash flow using forecasting and treasury management tools to maintain liquidity and prepare regular reports for short-term planning. Business intelligence platforms like Power BI provide real-time financial insights, helping track KPIs and identify trends. I also use automated tools for expense control and compliance to improve efficiency and maintain audit readiness. Alongside this, scenario planning and risk management software support proactive decision-making, while continuous improvement methods like zero-based budgeting help optimize spending and align resources with the company’s goals.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods
I take time to reflect and adjust when things get busy. I focus on staying positive and adaptable, and I’m not afraid to ask for help or lean on my support system when needed.
What do you enjoy outside of work? Any hobbies or activities that help you recharge?
Outside of work, I enjoy jogging and spending quality time with my family and kids, which helps me recharge.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department? How do you help develop the skills of others?
Yes, I mentor team members by empowering them to take initiative and make their own decisions in a safe environment where mistakes are seen as learning opportunities.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
I would suggest building a strong educational foundation and completing articles. Gaining practical experience, such as working at an accounting firm during school or university holidays, can help determine if it’s the right fit. It’s also important to develop practical, real-world skills in addition to academic knowledge.
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do. – Steve Jobs”
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career
A valuable leadership lesson I’ve learned is that everyone is different and responds differently to the same situation. Learning to read people and adapt to situations can make managing and leading much easier.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
Something surprising about me is that I played rugby at the Bulls junior ranks and also served as head boy at my school.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
If I could have any superpower for work, it would be the ability to predict cash flow three to six months in advance, so I could proactively prepare for any potential issues.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
My strategy for staying productive during long workdays is to stay focused and work steadily until the tasks are completed.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why? What made that day special?
If I could relive one day in my career, it would be the day I was thanked for the impact of implementing SAP B1 in our company. It was special because it showed that my hard work was recognized and that my decision made a meaningful difference.
Rayno’s advice to young accountants is raw and real: “Get book smart but get street smart too. Go work in the holidays. See if this is really for you.”
He’s lived the pressure. He’s built the systems. And he knows the win isn’t always in the paycheck, it’s in hearing, “Thank you. You changed how this company runs.”
This is the kind of leadership we’re proud to spotlight.
Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to build a career that makes you, and your company, unmissable.
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