Financial Controller

SUMMARY:
For a luxury 5-star game lodge, the Financial Controller should combine strong accounting expertise with hands-on hospitality and operational understanding. Current Eastern Cape lodge vacancies commonly look for 3–5+ years of senior hotel finance experience, strong financial controls, budgeting, forecasting and reporting skills.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
Financial Management

• Manage the day-to-day financial operations of the lodge.
• Prepare accurate monthly management accounts and financial reports.
• Maintain the general ledger and ensure all transactions are correctly recorded.
• Perform monthly balance sheet reconciliations.
• Monitor income, expenditure, profitability and cash flow.
• Prepare and monitor annual budgets and regular forecasts.
• Provide financial analysis and recommendations to the General Manager and senior management.

• Monitor departmental budgets and actual expenditure.
• Control food, beverage, housekeeping and operational costs.
• Monitor lodge stock levels, stock movements, wastage and variances.
• Oversee purchasing controls and ensure purchases are properly authorised.
• Analyse food and beverage cost percentages and gross profit margins.
• Monitor revenue streams and identify opportunities to improve profitability.
• Ensure strong financial controls are maintained across all lodge departments.

• Oversee creditors and supplier reconciliations.
• Monitor debtor accounts and outstanding balances.
• Reconcile bank accounts and lodge cash accounts.
• Conduct cash-up and revenue checks.
• Monitor petty cash and staff advances.
• Ensure supplier invoices are accurately processed and authorised.

• Assist with payroll processing and verification.
• Check salaries, overtime, allowances, deductions and benefits.
• Ensure payroll information reconciles with the accounting records.
• Monitor staff-related costs against budget.

• Ensure compliance with company financial policies and procedures.
• Maintain accurate financial records for audit purposes.
• Ensure statutory financial and tax requirements are met.
• Prepare information required for internal and external audits.
• Implement and maintain effective internal controls.
• Identify financial risks and recommend corrective action.

• Work closely with the General Manager and Heads of Department.
• Explain financial results and variances to non-financial managers.
• Assist HODs with budgeting and expenditure control.
• Provide commercial insight to support lodge decision-making.
• Identify areas of overspending and implement cost-saving measures.
• Drive improvements in financial systems, procedures and reporting.

• Be comfortable working in a remote/live-in game lodge environment.
• Work independently with limited day-to-day support from Head Office.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and financial integrity.
• Be able to work around month-end, year-end and operational requirements, including weekends or public holidays when necessary.

POSITION INFO:
Qualifications & Experience Essential: Matric \/ Grade 12. Degree or Diploma in Accounting, Finance, Financial Management or a related field . At least 3-5 years' experience as a Financial Controller, Financial Manager or Senior Hotel Accountant . Previous experience within a 4- or 5-star hotel, lodge or luxury hospitality environment . Strong knowledge of accounting principles and financial controls. Experience with budgeting, forecasting and management accounts. Excellent Excel skills. Experience with accounting and\/or hotel financial systems. These requirements are consistent with current Financial Controller vacancies for luxury game reserves and hotels in South Africa. Advantageous Previous game lodge\/safari lodge experience . Experience with multiple lodge properties. Hospitality cost-control experience. Knowledge of hotel systems such as Opera, Micros, SUN, Pastel or similar . SAICA\/ACCA\/CIMA-related studies or qualification. Experience with payroll systems. Knowledge of South African VAT, PAYE and other statutory requirements. Valid driver's licence. Experience working in a remote\/live-in environment. Key Competencies Excellent numerical and analytical ability. High attention to detail. Strong financial and commercial acumen. Excellent organisational and time-management skills. High level of integrity and confidentiality. Strong problem-solving ability. Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines. Strong communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to influence and support operational HODs. Proactive, hands-on approach. Strong Excel and reporting capability