Head of Finance / Financial Director (CT)

SUMMARY:

Position Summary

The Client is seeking an experienced, commercially minded and hands-on Head of Finance / Financial Director to lead the entire finance function.

This is a broad senior finance leadership role that combines the responsibilities of a Financial Controller and Financial Director. The successful candida...

POSITION INFO:
Position Summary The Client is seeking an experienced, commercially minded and hands-on Head of Finance \/ Financial Director to lead the entire finance function. This is a broad senior finance leadership role that combines the responsibilities of a Financial Controller and Financial Director. The successful candidate will be responsible for both operational finance and financial accounting functions across the group. The role requires a strong technical finance professional who is equally comfortable managing month-end and year-end reporting, budgets, audits, debtors, creditors, treasury, payroll, taxation, operating profit and cash flow forecasting, internal controls, and finance team leadership. This position is ideally suited to a candidate who enjoys being involved in both strategic and operational finance activities, and who will play a close role in supporting the Managing Director with strategic financial analysis and advice.   Key Responsibilities Financial Reporting Control Lead month-end and year-end close processes. Prepare and review monthly management accounts, including providing accompanying analysis of financial results. Maintain integrity of the general ledger. Oversee balance sheet reconciliations. Manage fixed asset accounting and finance lease accounting. Manage intercompany accounting across group entities. Present financial information to management and the Board. Debtors Revenue Management Oversee the complete revenue cycle. Ensure accurate and timely invoicing. Manage debtor ageing and collections. Manage credit risk. Monitor revenue completeness and revenue leakage risks. Ensure strong relationships with key customers including hotels and destination management companies. Treasury Cash Flow Management Manage group cash flow and liquidity. Prepare rolling cash flow forecasts. Manage banking relationships and facilities. Authorise payments and treasury transactions. Manage surplus cash and investment accounts to maximise interest earned. Creditors Management Oversee accounts payable processes. Review supplier reconciliations. Monitor supplier ageing. Ensure appropriate payment controls and approvals. Ensure suppliers are paid within agreed payment terms. Payroll Human Capital Finance Oversee employee payroll and independent contractor payroll. Ensure payroll compliance and accuracy. Manage payroll-related reconciliations and provisions. Tax Compliance Manage VAT, PAYE, and Income Tax compliance. Oversee SARS engagements and audits. Ensure timely submission of all statutory returns. Audit Governance Lead annual external audits prepare audit files for external auditors. Maintain strong internal controls. Implement governance and risk management frameworks. Ensure audit readiness throughout the year. Budgeting Planning Lead annual budgeting processes. Monitor budget performance and variances. Support strategic planning and forecasting activities. Team Leadership Lead and develop the finance team. Drive performance management and succession planning. Mentor and coach finance staff. Minimum Qualifications Essential Chartered Accountant CA(SA) Advantageous Additional commercial or management qualifications Tax, treasury payroll exposure   Experience Essential Minimum 8–10 years of post-articles finance experience Experience leading a finance team as a finance director \/ head of finance Strong month-end and year-end reporting experience Treasury and cash flow management experience Experience managing audits Experience managing debtors and collections functions Payroll oversight experience Tax compliance experience Highly Desirable Multi-company or group structure experience Tourism, travel, hospitality, destination management, transport, or services industry experience Experience reporting to boards or executive management teams Experience in owner-managed businesses   Technical Skills Advanced Sage Evolution experience Advanced Microsoft Excel skills Strong financial modelling and analytical capability Financial reporting and management accounting Treasury management Payroll oversight VAT, PAYE and Income Tax compliance Intercompany accounting Audit management Internal controls and governance   Personal Attributes The successful candidate should demonstrate: Strong leadership capability Commercial acumen High integrity and professionalism Excellent communication skills Strong attention to detail Ability to operate strategically and operationally Strong problem-solving ability Hands-on management style Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines Strong stakeholder management skills   Key Success Measures Success in the role will be measured by: Timely and accurate monthly reporting Strong cash flow management Effective debtor collections Clean audit outcomes Strong internal control environment Timely tax compliance Accurate payroll administration High-performing finance team Delivery of budgeting and forecasting objectives