Group Finance Manager

 

Group Finance Manager

Are you a hands-on finance professional who combines strong technical accounting expertise with a commitment to accuracy and operational excellence? Join Sand and lead the accounting and financial reporting operations that support a global company using AI to solve humanity’s most pressing challenges

About Sand 

Sand is a global Physical AI company using data and AI to make critical industries work better. We partner with governments, cities and enterprises to improve how essential systems operate across healthcare, water, energy, telecommunications and infrastructure.

Our work delivers proven real-world impact. We have built AI systems that help manage London’s water supply, supported telecom network planning across hundreds of cities, and developed digital healthcare platforms serving tens of millions of people. From intelligent command centers to AI-powered infrastructure platforms, we help organizations sense, analyze and act in complex environments.

Our people are ambitious, curious and relentlessly practical. Our teams work alongside clients in the field, solving hard problems and deploying solutions that last. With colleagues across Africa, Europe, the UK and the US, we operate across the full stack - from research and engineering to deployment and capability building.

Our mission is simple: to harness AI to solve humanity’s most pressing challenges.

Role Summary

Sand is seeking a Group Financial Manager to lead the day-to-day accounting and financial reporting operations across our global entities. Reporting to the Group Controller, you will ensure that the Group’s financial records are accurate, fully reconciled and reported on time.

You will lead monthly, quarterly and year-end close processes, independently manage Group consolidations, oversee accounting operations, and ensure that established financial policies and controls are consistently applied across geographies.

This is a hands-on role for someone who works confidently in the detail and takes ownership of financial deliverables. You will be accountable for the quality, completeness and accuracy of financial information delivered to the Group Controller, while leading the accounting team and improving the processes and systems that underpin reliable reporting.

Specific Responsibilities

• Accounting Operations and Group Consolidation

  • Own day-to-day accounting operations across all Group entities and geographies.
  • Lead and deliver monthly, quarterly and year-end financial close processes within agreed deadlines.
  • Prepare and review journals, general ledger accounts, balance sheet reconciliations and supporting schedules.
  • Independently manage multi-entity Group consolidations, including intercompany reconciliations, eliminations and foreign currency translations.
  • Ensure accurate application of IFRS, including revenue recognition under IFRS 15, and relevant local accounting requirements.
  • Investigate and resolve accounting discrepancies, unreconciled balances and unusual financial movements.
  • Manage and support the accounting team, setting clear expectations and maintaining high standards of accuracy and delivery.

  Financial Reporting

  • Prepare monthly management accounts and consolidated financial reporting packs.
  • Ensure financial reporting is accurate, complete and delivered within agreed deadlines.
  • Analyse financial movements and provide clear explanations of material variances.
  • Maintain accurate supporting schedules and documentation for financial reporting and management review.
  • Provide reliable financial information to support FP&A, business planning and management reporting.

  Financial Operations and Compliance

  • Oversee day-to-day accounts payable, accounts receivable and treasury accounting processes.
  • Prepare and maintain weekly and monthly cash flow forecasts.
  • Ensure balance sheet accounts are fully reconciled, appropriately supported and reviewed regularly.
  • Coordinate audit preparation, statutory accounts and tax compliance deliverables across Group entities.
  • Monitor compliance with Group accounting policies, financial controls and applicable statutory requirements.
  • Resolve control gaps and accounting issues promptly, escalating material matters to the Group Controller.

  Systems and Process Management

  • Take hands-on ownership of day-to-day NetSuite accounting processes and financial reporting.
  • Ensure accurate system postings, reconciliations and financial data integrity.
  • Identify and implement opportunities to streamline and automate recurring accounting and reporting processes.
  • Maintain clear standard operating procedures and consistent accounting practices across Group entities.
  • Improve the structure, reliability and efficiency of financial reporting tools and workflows.

Skill Requirements - Essential

• Qualified Chartered Accountant: CA(SA).
• 5–8 years of post-qualification experience, including experience in a Group Financial Manager, Financial Manager or Financial Controller position.
• Hands-on NetSuite experience covering accounting operations and financial reporting.
• Proven experience managing accounting and financial reporting for US-based entities.
• Strong practical experience independently managing multi-entity Group consolidations, intercompany accounting, eliminations and foreign currency translations.
• Strong knowledge of IFRS and GAAP, including practical experience applying IFRS 15.
• Proven experience managing monthly, quarterly and year-end close processes.
• Experience managing accounting teams, reviewing work and ensuring timely, accurate delivery.
• Advanced Excel skills and strong financial analysis capabilities.
• Excellent attention to detail, with the ability to investigate discrepancies and resolve complex accounting issues.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities across entities and time zones.
• Clear communication skills, including the ability to explain financial movements and accounting matters to finance and non-finance stakeholders

Skill Requirements - Preferable

• Experience in SaaS, technology or another international business.
• Experience improving and automating accounting processes and financial reporting workflows

 

Work Environment

This is a hybrid role involving regular collaboration with colleagues in country and across multiple countries and time zones. The successful candidate will be self-driven, comfortable working independently, and proactive in communicating through virtual collaboration tools and video conferencing.

At Sand, you will be encouraged to continually develop your capabilities and pursue learning opportunities and relevant certifications that support your professional growth.