Financial Manager

Finance Manager

Overview

My client is looking for a highly skilled and commercially minded Finance Manager to lead their finance function. This is a hands-on, office-based role that requires a proactive individual to maintain sound financial controls, deliver accurate management reporting, and provide decision-ready information to support the Managing Director and their international parent company. This position is pivotal in ensuring the financial health and operational efficiency of the organization.

Responsibilities

As the Finance Manager, you will be responsible for:

• Overseeing the day-to-day finance operations and ensuring compliance with South African statutory requirements.
• Preparing and delivering accurate management accounts, balance sheet reconciliations, and monthly financial reports.
• Leading the budgeting process, rolling forecasts, variance analysis, and providing insightful financial performance commentary.
• Managing cash flow forecasting, debtor collections, creditor management, and working capital optimization.
• Ensuring accurate stock valuation, landed cost calculations, inventory reconciliations, and gross profit/margin analysis.
• Coordinating external audits, ensuring tax and statutory compliance, and maintaining robust internal controls.
• Leading and mentoring finance staff, driving process improvements, and collaborating with operations and sales teams.

Qualifications

Essential:

• A BCom Accounting, BCom Financial Management, or equivalent relevant degree.
• 5–8 years of progressive finance experience, including at least 3 years managing a finance function.
• Strong knowledge of IFRS/IFRS for SMEs, VAT, PAYE, income tax, and South African statutory requirements.
• Proven experience in month-end and year-end close processes, external audit coordination, reconciliations, and control ownership.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience with ERP/accounting systems.

Advantageous:

• SAIPA Professional Accountant (SA), CIMA, or CA(SA) designation (preferred but not mandatory).
• Experience in importing, distribution, inventory-intensive, or manufacturing sectors.
• Familiarity with reporting to an international parent company, including preparing reporting packs and meeting deadlines.
• Experience with EVO or comparable inventory and finance ERP systems.