Group Financial Controller

SUMMARY:
A dynamic and growing organisation in the integrated marketing and communications sector is seeking to appoint a commercially astute Group Financial Controller to join its senior leadership team.

This is a Group-level role responsible for driving financial strategy, strengthening commercial performance and providing consolidated financial oversight across multiple entities.
The successful candidate will partner closely with executive leadership to ensure strong financial governance, optimise cash flow and support sustainable business growth.

This role reports directly to the Group Managing Director/ CEO.

POSITION INFO:
Key Responsibilities:

Group Financial Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and implement a group-wide financial strategy aligned with long-term growth objectives.
• Provide consolidated financial oversight across multiple entities within the group.
• Deliver financial modelling and scenario planning for expansion initiatives, new ventures and investments.
• Present financial insights and strategic recommendations to executive leadership.

• Oversee debtor and creditor cycles and optimise working capital management.
• Monitor cash conversion cycles across group entities.
• Forecast short- and medium-term liquidity requirements.
• Implement controls to improve cash flow predictability within a project-driven environment.

• Lead the preparation of consolidated annual budgets and rolling forecasts.
• Monitor entity-level financial performance including margins, realization rates, overhead recovery and client profitability.
• Develop and maintain financial dashboards and reporting frameworks to support decision-making.

• Prepare consolidated management accounts, including P&L statements, balance sheets and cash flow reports.
• Ensure compliance with IFRS and South African statutory regulations including VAT, PAYE and Income Tax.
• Oversee tax submissions, audits and BBBEE/Economic Development reporting.
• Identify and mitigate financial risks including credit exposure and project cost overruns.

• Review and provide oversight on client contracts, SLAs and commercial agreements across the group.
• Provide input on pricing models including retainers, project fees, blended margins and scope adjustments.
• Oversee revenue recognition processes within both retainer and project-based environments.
• Manage commercial risks, penalties and payment term negotiations.
• Support new business initiatives by assessing financial viability and commercial structures.

• Partner with operational teams to strengthen financial discipline across the business.
• Improve cost visibility across media, talent, subcontractors and suppliers.
• Identify opportunities to enhance operational efficiencies and overall profitability.

• Lead and mentor the group finance team including bookkeepers, accountants and procurement staff.
• Strengthen financial systems, processes and internal controls.
• Build and maintain a high-performance finance function across all group entities.

• CA(SA), CIMA, ACCA or equivalent professional qualification
• Bachelor of Commerce Honours Degree in Finance, Accounting or related field

• 5–7 years’ experience in senior financial management
• At least 3 years’ experience managing group consolidations
• Experience within agency, media, advertising or professional services environments is advantageous
• Strong exposure to project-based accounting environments

• Advanced Excel and financial modelling capability
• Strong knowledge of accounting systems such as Sage or Xero (Payspace and Chase advantageous)
• Strong understanding of South African tax, VAT and regulatory frameworks
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to translate financial information into strategic insights