Chief Financial Accountant

SUMMARY:
Large Hotel in Pretoria is looking for an experienced and commercially focused Chief Financial Accountant to lead their finance function.

The successful candidate will provide strategic and operational financial leadership, ensuring accurate reporting, strong internal controls, effective cost management and sustainable profitability. As a member of the hotel’s Executive Committee, you will support commercial and operational decision-making.

POSITION INFO:
Duties: Financial Leadership & Planning: Lead the hotel's finance function and take responsibility for financial planning, reporting, budgeting, forecasting and treasury. Prepare annual budgets, business plans, forecasts and long-term financial strategies. Provide the Operations Manager and Executive Leadership Team with financial analysis and practical commercial recommendations. Deliver accurate, timely management reporting to ownership and senior stakeholders. Financial Performance & Controls: Review the general ledger, balance-sheet reconciliations and supporting schedules. Monitor performance across Rooms, Food and Beverage, Events, Conference and Banqueting, Spa and other revenue-generating departments. Ensure income and expenditure are allocated accurately using correct departmental coding. Drive profitability through revenue analysis, cost optimisation and disciplined financial management. Oversee cash flow, working capital, capital expenditure and financial risk. Review supplier reconciliations, invoices, purchase orders, payments and supporting documentation. Compliance & Stakeholder Management: Maintain robust internal controls, governance and compliance with applicable legislation and accounting standards. Oversee VAT, PAYE and other statutory reconciliations and submissions. Ensure compliance with SARS requirements and applicable tax legislation. Manage relationships with auditors, bankers, insurers, tax advisers, hotel owners and other financial stakeholders. Team Leadership & Strategic Projects: Lead, mentor and develop a sizeable finance department. Set clear standards for performance, accountability and professionalism. Contribute to Executive Committee decisions and broader business planning. Support capital investments, renovations, acquisitions and other strategic initiatives. Requirements: A relevant tertiary qualification in Finance, Accounting, Commerce or a related field. A professional accounting qualification such as CA(SA), ACCA, CIMA or equivalent. At least 8-10 years' senior financial-management experience, preferably within hospitality, hotels, resorts or a related industry. Demonstrated experience managing a substantial finance function and multidisciplinary teams. Strong knowledge of financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, cash-flow management and financial controls. Sound understanding of the South African tax and regulatory environment. Excellent commercial and analytical skills, with the ability to translate financial information into effective business decisions. Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder-management abilities. High levels of integrity, discretion and professional judgement. Experience with hotel finance systems, SAP, Opera\/OPERA Cloud, accounting\/ERP systems and financial reporting platforms would be advantageous.