Financial Manager

Role Purpose: To manage internal (business) and external (statutory) financial information and reporting processes, supporting the CFO by providing accurate, timeous, and relevant financial insights to enable decision-making. To manage payment cycles to optimise cash flow and maintain a strong control environment.

• Financial Navigator: Accurate reporting, budgeting, compliance.
• Strategic Maestro: Insightful analysis to support business strategy.
• Team Captain: Lead, inspire, and develop the finance team.
• Guardian of Integrity: Build and maintain robust internal controls.
• Cash Flow Conductor: Manage, monitor, and forecast cash flow.
• Compliance Guru: Ensure statutory compliance (tax, Companies Act, etc.).
• Project Dynamo: Provide financial expertise in technology development projects.
• Change Champion: Drive continuous improvement across finance processes and controls

Internal Controls

• Design, implement, and monitor internal controls.
• Identify cost-saving and efficiency opportunities.
• Drive continuous improvements in the finance control environment.
• Align controls and processes to support growth in a changing environment.
• Review payroll data.

Daily Financial Operations

• Manage day-to-day financial operations.
• Ensure accurate, timely financial statements aligned to standards and regulatory requirements.
• Manage cash flow forecasting and monitoring.
• Review and authorise local and global payments.
• Manage fixed asset process from initiation to reporting, including CAPEX processes and the fixed asset register.

Financial Reporting

• Review monthly, interim, and year-end internal and external reporting.
• Manage statutory reporting, including liaising with auditors and managing the signing process.
• Ensure compliance with statutory requirements, including the Companies Act and relevant tax regulations.

Budgeting and Analysis

• Manage the annual budgeting process end-to-end.
• Monitor spend and revenue to ensure targets are achieved.
• Provide analysis and insights to support decision-making.

Performance Expectations

• Financial statements are 100% accurate and compliant with relevant standards and regulations.
• Monthly, interim, and year-end reporting completed within deadlines.
• Optimal cash flow maintained with no shortfalls impacting operations.
• Identify and implement process improvements annually to enhance control and reporting efficiency.

Team Leadership

• Supervise accounting, budgeting, and reporting functions.
• Lead the team to deliver objectives effectively.Evaluate team performance and productivity.
• Implement people policies and practices consistently.

Individual Development

• Coach and mentor direct reports for growth and succession.
• Enable skills development and empowerment across the team.

Performance Expectations

• High employee engagement supported by regular reviews and meaningful feedback.

• Collaborate cross-functionally to align financial goals with business objectives.
• Provide financial insight for strategic initiatives and key projects.
• Act as an approver/finance expert for technology development projects.
• Support delivery of long-term objectives and goals.
• Demonstrate and embed the company vision, values, and culture.

Performance Expectations

• Financial expertise successfully integrated into technology development projects, meeting timelines and budget constraints.

Qualifications (preferred)

• CA(SA) preferred
• CIMA

Experience

• Minimum 3 years' experience as a Financial Manager leading a finance team (manufacturing or retail preferred).
• Import/export experience advantageous.
• Exposure to sub-Saharan African markets advantageous.

Knowledge & Technical Skills

• Advanced MS Excel.
• Strong capability across MS Office / Google Suite.
• IFRS for SMEs.
• ERP systems.
• Working knowledge of South African Companies Act and tax regulations (minimum requirement).

• Sets boundaries; assertive when needed.
• Strong performance management; builds effective teams.
• Gives/receives feedback; drives candid, growth-focused conversations.
• High self-awareness; uses personal power responsibly.
• Maintains discipline; firm, fair, consistent.
• Courage to challenge the status quo and remove barriers.
• Resilience under pressure and through setbacks.
• Builds strong relationships; fosters collaboration.
• Coaches/mentors; holds people accountable while developing capability.
• Scans trends; stays curious and forward-thinking.
• Proactive; improves processes for productivity and results.
• Decisive under pressure; prioritises and allocates resources effectively.
• Communicates complex information clearly to internal/external stakeholders.

Job-Specific Skills

• Strong problem-solving and analytical ability.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Extremely detail-oriented; solution-focused.
• Strong interpersonal skills; engages at all levels.
• Proactive, results-driven; meets tight reporting deadlines.
• Strong leadership and team management.

Core Competencies (Technical/Behavioural)

• Essential: Examining Information; Interpreting Data; Making Decisions; Meeting Timescales; Following Procedures; Team Working; Upholding Standards; Developing Strategies.
• Important: Providing Insights; Checking Things; Documenting Facts; Developing Expertise; Valuing Individuals; Managing Tasks; Challenging Ideas; Taking Action; Producing Output; Empowering Individuals; Pursuing Goals; Adopting Practical Approaches.