Financial Manager: Client Portfolio (Professional Services)

SUMMARY:
Our client, an established professional services firm, seeks a highly experienced and technically strong Financial Manager to take ownership of a large and complex client group.  As the client’s primary point of contact, you will oversee its day-to-day financial requirements, manage complex accounting matters and co-ordinate the delivery of services across the relevant internal departments. You will also manage additional client work and contribute to broader leadership within the firm.

This is a senior, client-facing role suited to a commercially astute financial professional who can operate with a high level of independence. The position offers considerable scope for growth, with the potential for leadership progression and equity participation over time.

POSITION INFO:
The Person: CA (SA) or an equivalent professional Accounting qualification is strongly preferred. Extensive Senior-Level Financial Management and Technical Accounting experience. Professional services or accounting practice experience would be ideal; suitably experienced commercial candidates will also be considered. Experience managing the financial requirements of complex groups or multiple legal entities. Strong technical understanding of acquisitions, rebates, goodwill, loans and interest. Proven experience across day-to-day accounting, banking, payments and financial controls. Strong knowledge of monthly management accounts, balance sheet reconciliations and annual financial statements. Advanced proficiency in Xero. Experience preparing annual financial statements using CaseWare. Sound understanding of statutory, tax and regulatory requirements. Strong commercial judgement and advisory capability. Proven ability to manage senior client relationships and complex financial queries. Leadership or team-management experience. Highly organised, accountable and able to manage multiple clients and deadlines. What you will be doing: Act as the primary point of contact for a large and complex client group. Build a trusted relationship with the client and develop a thorough understanding of its operations, structure and financial requirements. Take ownership of the client group’s day-to-day accounting and financial management requirements. Maintain accurate and fully reconciled accounting records across the relevant entities. Review complex accounting transactions involving acquisitions, rebates, goodwill, loans and interest. Oversee banking, payments, cash flow and financial controls. Prepare and review monthly management accounts and financial reports. Identify financial risks, irregularities and areas requiring corrective action. Prepare or co-ordinate annual financial statements using CaseWare. Ensure accounting records maintained in Xero are accurate, current and audit-ready. Co-ordinate with tax, annual financial statements, statutory and other specialist departments to ensure all client requirements are delivered accurately and on time. Manage complex client queries and provide clear, commercially relevant financial guidance. Monitor compliance deadlines and ensure all statutory obligations are met. Manage additional client portfolios and assignments as required. Identify opportunities to improve processes, controls and financial reporting. Contribute to the development and leadership of accounting staff. Operate with a high level of independence, escalating only genuinely complex or strategic matters. Key Competencies: Advanced technical accounting ability. Senior-level client relationship management. Commercial and strategic thinking. Strong attention to detail. Sound judgement and problem-solving ability. Ownership and accountability. Leadership and people-development capability. Ability to manage competing priorities and demanding deadlines. Professional, confident and clear communication. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced financial professional who wants more than a traditional Financial Manager role. The successful candidate will take ownership of a commercially significant client relationship, contribute to the broader firm and have substantial room to grow into senior leadership .