CURRICULUM VITAE

OF

IRENE BOWER

I am a highly skilled Personal Assistant with more than 20 years of experience gained in this field, in various industries.

My skills include exceptional interpersonal communication and telephone etiquette, excellent organization and complete mastery of MS Office. Motivated, energetic, dependable, friendly disposition, honest, time driven regarding completing tasks and handle confidential matters discretely.

I utilize my own initiative and think creatively. Attention to detail is evident in all aspects of my work. I am goal orientated and strive to complete all tasks daily, weekly or monthly.

I am proficient in all aspects of my work which include travel arrangements, hotel and car hire, strict diary management with regards to meetings, traveling, conferences, month end financial documentation to be viewed, documents for signature and reminders to be kept up to date.

I am highly organized, proactive, meticulous, competent, efficient and will always identifying a more effective and efficient way to work smarter and improve systems or procedures.

I can work very well as part of a team and also very well on my own. Working under pressure is taken in my stride, with calm and focus and I ensure that I meet all deadlines.

PERSONAL DETAILS

Name : Irene

Last Name : Bower

Marital Status : married

Hone Language : English

Other : Afrikaans

ID Number : 700**********

Children : 3 (boy 09.04.1995 girl 27.05.2003 girl 18.03.2009)

House : owned

Car : owned (code 08)

Smoker : non-smoker

Availability : immediately

Contact number : 084-***-****

Contact Numbers

Graham Bower (husband) : 083-***-****

Michelle Gubic (sister) : 072-***-****

References

Ca$h Inn

Roy Peretz : 083-****-***

Canon

Michelle Dorfling : 011-***-****

Cash Crusaders

Neal Saunderon : 082-***-****

Cyclotherm

Mark McJannet : 011-***-****

EDUCATIONAL DETAILS

Schooling

High school : Springs Girl’s High School

Standard passed : Matric

Year : 1989

Subjects : English, Afrikaans, Geography, Biology, Home

Economics, Typing

Further Education

Institution : Academy of Learnin

Qualification : Word for Windows

Various Courses Attended

Time Management

Microsoft Word – Advanced

Power Point – Advanced

Excel – Advanced

Computer Literacy

MS Office Suit:-

Word

Power Point

Excel

Internet

Outlook Express

Other

Dicta typing

Speed writing (own form)

Typing Speed

70 words per minute

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Dates : 01 June 2011 – 09 June.2020

Company : Ca$h Inn Pawn Shop (Pawn Stars SA)

Position : Personal Assistant

Reason for leaving : voluntary retrenchment (to be discussed)

Duties :

When I started there were no systems in place, the staff consisted of Roy, myself, Cylus (watch maker), William the driver and Solly vehicle paper assistant

Pawning was completed manually in a triplicate pawn invoice book, 1st copy for the client, 2nd copy for filing and 3rd remains in the invoice book

I started a filing system for pawning of vehicles and jewellery

Jewellery and watches pawn invoices were filed in numerical order in one file a separate file was opened for vehicles the pawn invoice and all documents pertaining to the pawned vehicle placed in a plastic sleeve and filed in numerical order in the vehicle pawn file

Pawn items were placed in the safe without order or in number sequence. I started a storage system. The watches that were pawned with boxes I placed an elastic band around the box to secure the invoice and placed all these on a shelf in the safe. All jewellery and watches without boxes were placed in small zip lock bags with the invoice inside the bag. Once there were 10 items I placed the items in numerical order, wrote down the numbers on an A4 page placed the page with the items in the zip lock bag in the safe on a separate shelf

When a client extended their pawn I made a note on the clients invoice and in the relevant file

Redeeming a pawn item meant that the client paid up the invoice in full and collected their item. Once paid in full, if the item was a watch or jewellery I went into the safe and removed the item from the bag and cancelled the number or removed the watch box and handed the client their item. If it was a vehicle the vehicle would be collected from storage and the keys would be handed to the driver

The clients invoice was filed with our copy of the invoice

Purchasing was completed on an A4 page with a copy of the clients ID on the page. I designed a purchase invoice on word to utilize for purchases

I created a filing system whereby two different files were created for jewellery and watches the other for vehicles

Roy’s partner, Eytan, from our sister branch Top Cash joined Cash Inn in early 2013

He sourced a computerized pawn programme rather than manual invoices.

The same filing system I created was and is currently being utilized

During 2014 we filmed Pawn Stars SA season 1

During 2016 we filmed Pawn Stars SA season 2

Receiving clients from the reception area, as Roy, Eytan, Alex and myself have specific clients and fields, I ask the client, if not known, what is the item they would like to sell or pawn thereafter I assist the client or direct them to the relevant staff member

Each pawn or purchase is dealt with confidentially as it is a personal matter between the client and staff member

The client will either pawn, extend, redeem or sell an item

Receive cash payments, credit card or eft payments for extensions or redemptions of pawn items

Check emails every morning for appointment requests, from clients, attorneys office, insurance confirmations and other

Check my calendar and to do list, I have a daily task list of tasks for the day and reminders of upcoming important meetings and tasks, at the end of the day I added any additional tasks or reminders for the next day.

(continuation of employment details of Cash Inn)

Roy assists clients with taking out bonds on their homes

Documents are drawn up with his attorney, the agreements are kept at the attorneys office a copy is kept at our office

All bond loan agreements were kept in one file in my office which only Roy or myself had access to as these documents are confidential

Monthly bond payments whether cash or eft were recorded and I notified the attorney via email of payments

Filing

-pawn invoices, purchases and ID copies

-Roy’s personal filing

expenses

-Roy’s personal expenses

-company expenses

Scanning and emailing of documentation

Keeping record of stationary and ordering when needed

Answering and screening of all incoming calls

We only pawn or purchase gold jewellery and high end watches

Once a month I would scan through the pawn files and record expired pawns which indicated no extension payments made on or after the expiry date. I would call these clients to enquire when to expect payment of an extension or redemption, record the date of the conversation and when the client confirmed they would make payment. If the client would not be redeeming or extending their invoice the item would remain in stock to be sold or sent to the refinery

Every 3 months I would go through the pawn files and write down pawn invoices indicating no payment. The pawn items would be placed in a ‘stock’ zip lock bag. I called the clients to inform them that due to non-payment their item was stocked. Should they like to claim their item, before it’s sold to cover costs, they had one week to make payment. If the client was not going to redeem or extend their pawn, it would be placed in stock either to sell or to send to the refinery

Paying weekly salary to the onsite jeweller and watch maker and keeping record of the weekly salary payments

Overseeing the cleaning lady, ensuring that she follows a schedule and has cleaning aids

Strick diary management for scheduling and recording meetings for work and overseeing personal booked doctors’ appointments and follow ups

Typing

-Invoices for vehicle purchases

-Invoices for jewellery and watch invoices

-Emails

-Letters

-Quotations

-Expense spreadsheets excel

-Stock jewellery, diamonds and watches spreadsheets excel

-Purchased jewellery and watches spreadsheets excel

Stock items namely jewellery, diamonds and watches we sold to walk in clients and online

(continuation of employment details for Cash Inn)

The following procedures where completed before the items were ready to sell

-Jewellery

Was sent to the jeweller to be cleaned, polished, resized if necessary, rhodium plated, fixed if necessary

Then given back to me to be placed in individual zip lock bags

Once in bags the item was categorized e.g. diamond engagement rings, diamond studs, pendants

Once in categories I would take 1 bag at a time and write the description of the item on the bag

After descriptions were written I would record each item on the spreadsheet I created for jewellery, the items followed a number sequence when entered I recorded the number on the zip lock bag

Once completed I took 4 photos of each item then uploaded these and edited each photo, numbered as per the bag number and the description and saved these photos for online sales

-Watches

The watches where handed to the watchman for cleaning, polishing, service and writing down the model number, serial number and strap length

He would then hand these back to me, the watches were placed in watch bags

Once in watch bags a description was written on the bag

Thereafter these were entered on to the watch spreadsheet I created the number wat recorded on the bag

Roy preferred taking the photos of the watches, if he was busy I would then take the photos

The photos were downloaded and numbered with the relevant description and saved

All jewellery and watches were given to Roy for pricing

Jewellery and watches were placed on bidorbuy for sale, we have an account with bidorbuy

Walk in clients looking to purchase jewellery where shown the individual items according to their request e.g. diamond rings, dress rings or necklaces

Walk in clients looking to purchase watches where taken through to Roy’s office where they would be shown high end watches

Dates : January 2011 – May 2011

Company : Energy Accounting and Administration Services (Pty) Ltd

Position : Personal Assistant

Reason for leaving : owner relocated to Pletenburg Bay

Duties :

Overseeing approximately 400 client files

Filing of audited accounts

Splitting of client files (accounts older than 5 years were placed into archiving boxes and stored)

Pulling files for client queries

Updating the accounts received spreadsheet when received

Once an account was audited the file was marked off on the audit spreadsheet

Typing

-Letters to clients

-Faxes

-Monthly audit spreadsheet for audits completed

-Monthly audit letter forwarded to head office

Scanning and emailing of documents to head office and clients

Dates : September 2009 – November 2010

Company : Canon Business Centre Midrand

Position : Personal Assistant – Product Manager

Sales Secretary/Personal Assistant – Sales Representatives EDMS

Team

Reason for leaving : to seek a position closer to Randburg

Duties :

Personal Assistant

-Typing

Quotations

Orders

Emails

Letters

Memorandums

General

-Security

Order security cards for the security gate staff

Print, cut out and insert into card holders

Before delivering ensure all cards are presentable and visible in card holders

Updated when new staff are employed

-Health and Safety

Keep copies of meetings on file and of emails pertaining to Health and Safety

Injury on duty file is kept with all information pertaining to injuries including doctors reports, letters and statements pertaining to the staff member injured while at work

Attend monthly Health and Safety meetings

Take minutes of the meeting

An up to date staff list was readily available for drills when evacuating the office for a head count and the sign in register in reception

Sales Secretary/Personal Assistant – Sales Representatives EDMS Team

-Typing

Quotations

Orders

Emails

Letters

Memorandums

General

-Deal File

Open up a deal file both on paper and computer

Update the information on Custrack

Obtain a deal file number

Obtain all paperwork from the representative

Complete all paperwork

The representative is to obtain signatures from the client

Scan and email the application for credit and attach a copy of identity documents, copy of a letterhead for approval either in house or from one of the banks

Once approval is obtained, an order is placed to check for stock

Obtain an order number for the order book (each representative has an order book) type up the order, email the order through to the warehouse for stock availability

Send through landlord and insurance notification forms through to the client

Obtain signed documentation form the representative and ensure all details have been completed on the forms

(continuation of employment details for Canon)

Follow up with the client regarding the landlord and insurance forms, it is important are received back completed and signed by the client

Follow up on the order

Send a last call document through to the client that stipulates that the client has received their machine

Check that all documentation is in the deal file and completed correctly

Once an email has been received from the warehouse which contains the serial number the deal file is signed off by the office manager

Once signed the deal file is sent to the finance department for invoicing

Relieving at the company’s main reception twice weekly for 2 hours

Dates : May 2008 – August 2008

Company : Cyclotherm

Position : Personal Assistant

Reason for leaving : threatened miscarriage

Duties :

Typing

-Training flight manual inserts

-Facsimiles

-International and national quotations for parts

-Quotations for sales

-Letters

-Memorandums

-Spreadsheets

-Emails

-General

Filing room

-Relabel existing files

-Filling

-Archiving of files

-Reorganizing the entire filing room

-Updating current filing system

Faxing

Printing salary slips and labelling salary envelopes

Ordering and receiving stationary, distributing of stationary. Keeping a stock count and record of the distribution of stationary

Relabelling and reorganizing personal files in the Directors office

Screening of all incoming calls for the Director and my boss

Dates : January 2008 – April 2008

Company : Pick ‘n Pay Bright Water Commons Randburg

Position : Personal Assistant

Reason for leaving : Temporary assignment

Duties :

Typing

-Emails

-Letters

-Spreadsheets updated daily and monthly

-General

-Power Point Presentations

Filing

Update rating schedule of stores from emails sent by Head Office

Locating and meeting with uniform representative for security staff

Security staff

-Liaise with the security company for security staff

-Obtain names and numbers

-Contact the candidates and request an emailed or faxed copy of the curriculum vitae

-Liaise with our lie detector agent to inform him I would need his services for upcoming candidates to be tested

-Contact the suitable candidates to confirm the date, time and venue of their lie detector test

-The consultant emails each candidates report via email

-Successful candidates are contacted to come into the store for uniform fitting

-Once uniforms have been received the security staff are allocated to stores that requested security staff

Personal duties requested by the Managing Director

Dates : January 2007 – December 2007

Company : Trafalgar (Rosebank)

Position : Personal Assistant – Portfolio Manager

Reason for leaving : 1 year contract position

Duties :

To be advised if requested

Dates : June 2006 – December 2006

Company : Momentum

(assignment though PAG)

Position : Personal Assistant

Reason for leaving : Temporary assignment

Duties :

Typing

-Trusts

-Facsimiles

-Quotations

-Letters

-Last Will and Testaments

-Power Point Presentations

(continuation of employment details for Momentum)

Trusts

-Receiving trust from the client

-Typing up of the trust deed

-Liaising with the client to complete the information sheet

-Liaising with the attorneys office for an attorneys letter

-Ensure all documents are completed and ready for the Masters in Pretoria

-Prepare the trust deed for delivery to the client

Last Will and Testament

-Liaise with the client to obtain information regarding their Will

-Ensure the correct Will format is utilized to complete for the client

Policies

-Request a copy of the clients policies to be scanned and emailed through

-Fill in the missing information on the policy forms obtained from the client

-Scan the completed form through to client services

-Follow up online on the in-house programme on a daily basis on the progress on the policy

-Liaise with Fastlane via email to obtain bloods from the client for tests to be run

-If necessary set up a doctor’s appointment for the client for a general check-up

-Once bloods results and doctors reports have been received the file is forwarded to underwriting

-Once approved the client is contacted and advised and the policy is delivered to the client

Sending and receiving facsimiles was the main point of documentation contact with the client for obtaining information, signatures and forwarding information

Policy quotations follow a set format by Momentum

Strick diary management for scheduling appointments and constant communication between my boss and myself to avoid double booking

Updating in-house Spolight database monthly

Printing updates from Spolight

Liaising with various insurance companies to complete client forms

Dates : March 2004 - June 2006

Company : Cash Crusaders

Position : Personal Assistant

Reason for leaving : Restructuring within the company

Duties :

Typing

-Letters

-Minutes

-Spreadsheets

-Forms

-Facsimiles

-Time sheets

-Matrix – month end spreadsheets for 59 branches

-Reports

-Power Point Presentations

Faxing

Taking of minutes in meetings and hearings

Liaising with 59 branches on a weekly basis for reports

Customer complaints

Diary management

(continuation of employment details for Cash Crusaders)

Flight and hotel bookings

Office function arrangements

Office presentation bookings

Petty cash for the office

Manage the cleaning lady

Liaise with all stores for figures for month end report

Relieving the receptionist weekly for 1 hour

Dates : August 2002 – February 2004

Company : Bower Construction and Projects cc

Position : Personal Assistant

Reason for leaving : Family business, wanted to return to the corporate sector

Duties To be advised if required

Dates : August 2001 – March 2002

Company : Krupp Engineering

Position : Secretary – Manager : Procurement

Reason for leaving : Position became redundant – Manager resigned as his father died and

he left to run the family business

Duties To be advised if required

Dates : August 1999 – July 2001

Company : Wesbank Joint Finance Companies

Position : Personal Assistant - National Marketing Manager

Reason for leaving : Position was made redundant – my boss was demoted after spreading

rumours about me after my husband died on 22 October 1999 saying that I was mentally unstable to work

Duties : To be advised if required

Dates : August 1995 – July 1999

Company : Chubb Safes

Position : Personal Assistant - Sales and Marketing Director

Secretary - Divisional Manager

- New Business Development Manager

Reason for leaving : Due to the Sales and Marketing Director resigning my position became

redundant

Duties To be advised if required

Dates : May 1991 – March 1995

Company : Syndicate Recruitment

Position : Personal Assistant - Managing Directors

Receptionist - based in reception area

Secretary - Consultants

Reason for leaving : Position not guaranteed on returning from maternity leave

Duties : To be advised if required

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