Assistant Financial Manager CA(SA)

Assistant Financial Manager – CA(SA)

Location: Gqeberha / Port Elizabeth
Industry: Manufacturing
Employment Type: Permanent
Salary: Market-related and commensurate with qualifications and experience

Role Overview

A well-established manufacturing concern based in Gqeberha is seeking a newly qualified Chartered Accountant, CA(SA), to join its finance team as an Assistant Financial Manager.

The successful incumbent will report to and work closely with the Financial Manager, providing support across financial reporting, management accounting, budgeting, compliance and operational finance. This role offers an excellent opportunity for a newly qualified CA(SA) to gain practical commercial and manufacturing experience while developing toward a future financial management position.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist the Financial Manager with the preparation of monthly management accounts.
• Prepare and review financial reports, reconciliations and supporting schedules.
• Assist with month-end and year-end financial close processes.
• Monitor actual financial performance against budgets and forecasts.
• Investigate variances and provide meaningful financial commentary.
• Assist with the preparation of annual budgets, forecasts and cash-flow projections.
• Support product costing, inventory valuation and manufacturing cost analysis.
• Analyse production costs, overhead recoveries, margins, wastage and operational efficiencies.
• Assist with stock counts, inventory controls and the investigation of stock variances.
• Maintain and improve internal financial controls, policies and procedures.
• Assist with external and internal audits and ensure that audit requirements are met.
• Support compliance with applicable accounting standards, tax requirements and company policies.
• Assist with VAT, income tax and other statutory submissions and reconciliations.
• Review balance-sheet reconciliations and ensure that reconciling items are resolved.
• Provide financial information and support to operational and departmental managers.
• Assist with capital expenditure evaluations and fixed-asset management.
• Identify opportunities to improve financial processes, reporting accuracy and operational efficiency.
• Provide support to the Financial Manager on ad hoc financial and commercial projects.
• Deputise for the Financial Manager when required.

Minimum Requirements

• Newly qualified Chartered Accountant – CA(SA).
• Completed SAICA-accredited articles.
• Relevant BCom Accounting or equivalent degree.
• Strong understanding of IFRS, financial reporting and internal controls.
• Sound knowledge of budgeting, forecasting, taxation and financial analysis.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively in a deadline-driven environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to engage professionally with finance, operations, auditors and senior management.

Advantageous Experience

• Articles completed within a firm servicing manufacturing, automotive, engineering or industrial clients.
• Previous exposure to a manufacturing or production environment.
• Experience with product costing, standard costing, inventory valuation or variance analysis.
• Familiarity with ERP or manufacturing accounting systems.
• Exposure to stock audits and operational financial controls.

Personal Attributes

The successful candidate should be:

• Commercially minded and comfortable working beyond traditional accounting functions.
• Hands-on and willing to become involved in operational finance.
• Highly organised and capable of managing competing deadlines.
• Confident, professional and able to challenge information constructively.
• Proactive and able to identify problems before they affect the business.
• Ethical, dependable and committed to maintaining strong financial controls.
• Eager to develop into a broader financial management role.

Career Opportunity

This position is ideally suited to a newly qualified CA(SA) seeking to move from an audit environment into commerce and gain meaningful exposure to manufacturing finance, operational decision-making and financial management.