Job Title:
Finance Manager
Job Purpose:
Our client is seeking an experienced, commercially minded and hands-on Financial Manager to oversee the full financial function across a diverse group of companies, trusts and property-holding entities, with both local and international business interests. The successful candidate must be comfortable working within a complex, multi-entity and cross-border environment. The role will include consolidated financial reporting, statutory and tax compliance, property-related taxation, trust accounting, international transactions, cash flow management, budgeting, financial controls and providing strategic financial support to the executive team.
Responsibilities:
- Manage the full finance function across multiple companies, trusts and property-holding entities.
- Maintain accurate and separate accounting records for each entity.
- Prepare monthly management accounts, consolidated financial reports and intercompany reconciliations.
- Manage intercompany transactions, loan accounts, management fees and related-party balances.
- Manage budgeting, forecasting and cash flow planning across the group.
- Oversee debtors, creditors, banking and account reconciliations.
- Ensure accurate and timely VAT, PAYE, UIF, SDL, provisional tax and income tax submissions.
- Oversee tax compliance for companies, trusts and property-owning entities.
- Support the financial management of international business activities, including:
- Multi-currency accounting, transactions and reporting.
- Foreign exchange exposure and currency conversions.
- International payments and banking requirements.
- Cross-border invoicing, supplier payments and client receipts.
- Financial reporting across different jurisdictions.
- Cross-border intercompany transactions and loan accounts.
- Transfer pricing considerations and related-party transactions.
- Withholding taxes and international tax implications.
- VAT, customs duties and import/export considerations.
- Liaising with international accountants, tax practitioners, auditors and business partners.
- Manage property-related tax matters, including:
- Transfer duty and VAT considerations on property transactions.
- Capital gains tax implications.
- Rental income and deductible property expenses.
- Municipal rates and property-related levies.
- Tax implications of property improvements, disposals and transfers.
- Property transactions between related parties and group entities.
- Oversee trust accounting and compliance, including:
- Trust income and expenditure.
- Trustee and beneficiary transactions.
- Beneficiary distributions and resolutions.
- Trust loan accounts.
- Tax submissions and supporting records.
- Liaising with trustees, tax practitioners, attorneys and auditors.
- Manage Compensation Fund and Workmen’s Compensation compliance, including:
- Annual Return of Earnings submissions.
- Assessment reconciliations and payments.
- Letters of Good Standing.
- Inclusion of permanent, temporary and casual employee earnings.
- Liaising with the Compensation Fund regarding queries and reassessments.
- Prepare for annual audits and liaise with external auditors, accountants, tax practitioners and legal advisers.
- Monitor expenditure, profitability, project costs and overall business performance.
- Implement and maintain effective financial controls and procedures.
- Oversee payroll from a financial and compliance perspective.
- Manage inventory controls, stock reconciliations and food-cost reporting.
- Provide financial analysis and commercial recommendations to management.
- Lead and support the finance support team.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable local and international financial, tax and statutory requirements
Qualifications & Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or a related field.
- CA(SA), CIMA, SAIPA or equivalent professional qualification would be advantageous.
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a Financial Manager or senior finance role.
- Proven experience managing the financial affairs of multiple companies or entities.
- Experience supporting businesses with international operations or cross-border transactions.
- Strong understanding of multi-currency accounting, foreign exchange and international payments.
- Strong knowledge of South African company, trust and property taxation.
- Practical experience with trust accounting, beneficiary distributions, loan accounts and trust tax compliance.
- Experience with consolidated reporting and intercompany transactions.
- Strong knowledge of South African tax, payroll and statutory compliance.
- Practical understanding of Workmen’s Compensation and COIDA requirements.
- Experience with Compensation Fund registrations, Return of Earnings submissions and Letters of Good Standing.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
- Experience with Xero, Sage, Pastel or similar accounting systems.
- Strong analytical, leadership and problem-solving abilities.
- Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills.
- Hospitality, restaurant, retail or FMCG industry experience would be advantageous.
- Experience working within a group structure comprising operating companies, trusts and property-holding entities.
- Experience working with international clients, suppliers, projects or business entities.
- Knowledge of cross-border taxation, withholding taxes, transfer pricing and foreign exchange controls.
- Familiarity with South African Reserve Bank requirements and cross-border payment processes.
- Experience with property acquisitions, disposals, rental portfolios and property development costs.
- Knowledge of capital gains tax, transfer duty, VAT on property and trust taxation.
- Experience in cost accounting, inventory and stock management.
- Experience with payroll and Workmen’s Compensation administration.
- Experience improving financial systems, group reporting and internal controls.
