Interim Financial Controller (Fund-Level)

Department: Finance

Employment Type: Fixed Term Contract

Location: Africa

Reporting To: Direct Report: Fund leadership (Managing Partner as primary)

Allied Talent Partners (ATP), a Three Cairns Group initiative, is a mission driven, not for profit talent marketplace focused on solving the human capital bottlenecks slowing down sustainable development efforts in emerging economies, with an initial focus on Africa. ATP connects vetted, experienced, context relevant professionals to high impact opportunities in energy access and sustainable development - strengthening local capacity and fuelling economic vitality. We specialize in fixed term, deliverable driven engagements - from interim leadership and generalist projects to niche technical expertise - handling project scoping, talent vetting and matching, contracting, payroll, and compliance so that our clients can focus on impact.

The client, a private investment firm, is seeking an experienced Interim Financial Controller to support the fund's back office finance function during a critical year end and reporting period. The role will work closely with fund leadership and a third party CFO service provider, with a clear mandate to deliver quarterly and year end reporting, resolve statutory issues, and establish repeatable finance processes. The engagement is time bound and execution focused, with a clear emphasis on delivery rather than long term finance leadership responsibilities.

Role: Interim Financial Controller (Fund-Level)

Direct Report: Fund leadership (Managing Partner as primary)

Candidates Required: 1

Key Deliverables: Reporting (Quarterly & Year-End)

• Deliver quarterly financial reports, including coordination of inputs, validation of data, and production of decision ready outputs.
• Lead delivery of year end financial reporting, including preparation of financial statements and coordination with auditors.
• Ensure reporting outputs are accurate, timely, and aligned with fund leadership requirements.

• Resolve outstanding statutory and tax registration issues and unblock delayed filings.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with relevant statutory, tax, and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate statutory submissions and regulatory interactions as required.

• Establish and maintain a clear reporting and compliance calendar covering quarterly reporting, statutory filings, and year end activities.
• Establish a repeatable quarterly and annual reporting cadence, templates, and timelines.
• Design and document core finance processes, controls, and handover materials.
• Clarify roles, responsibilities, and handoffs across reporting and compliance activities to reduce dependency risk and execution friction.

• Act as the day to day integrator between fund leadership, the third party CFO service provider, and the fund administrator.
• Manage timelines, inputs, and outputs across all finance service providers.
• Provide hands on oversight of the general ledger, trial balance, and supporting schedules.

• 8+ years experience in financial control, fund finance, or a closely related role.
• Prior exposure to private equity or investment fund environments strongly preferred.
• Experience working in African markets, including familiarity with local regulatory, tax, and operating environments, is advantageous.

• Professionally qualified accountant (e.g. CA(SA), ACCA, CPA, or equivalent) preferred.Strong working knowledge of South African statutory, tax, and compliance requirements.
• Hands on experience with Xero (or similar accounting platforms).
• Ability to diagnose finance and compliance issues quickly and drive resolution independently.
• Prior audit trained background or experience working closely with external auditors is an advantage.

• Strong ownership mindset with accountability for end to end delivery.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguous, fast moving environments with multiple stakeholders.
• Confident working with senior leadership and external service providers.
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage parallel reporting, compliance, and coordination workstreams.
• Clear, structured communicator able to translate complex finance topics into practical implications.

Location: Remote, with availability during local business hours

Travel: Minimal

Start Date: Immediately

Contracting Period: 4-6 months, full time