Manager - Finance

Mission/ Core purpose of the Job  
The Finance Manager will be responsible for leading the end-to-end finance function, ensuring robust financial control, regulatory compliance, accurate reporting, and strategic financial planning. The role oversees financial operations including budgeting, forecasting, financial modelling, procurement, inventory management, VAT and statutory submissions, Group Reporting via Hyperion Financial Management, Treasury, commissions, and performance analysis.
The incumbent will act as a strategic business partner to leadership by providing financial insights, supporting decision-making, driving operational efficiency, and ensuring alignment with Group reporting standards and governance frameworks.
 

Financial Planning, Budgeting & Forecasting

• Lead the annual budgeting process and long-term strategic planning.
• Prepare and oversee scenario planning and long-term business strategy planning.
• Collaborate with departmental heads to gather inputs and ensure timely budget completion.
• Develop and maintain monthly and quarterly forecasts in line with Group guidelines.
• Regularly update forecasts based on actual performance and changing market conditions.
• Monitor KPIs and track progress against budget and forecast targets.
• Conduct variance analysis between actuals, budget, and forecast.

Financial Modelling & Commercial Analysis

• Build and maintain financial models to support strategic decision-making.
• Develop sales and revenue models to assess various economic and business scenarios.
• Conduct pricing and profitability analysis across products and channels.
• Evaluate pricing changes and product mix impacts on profitability.
• Understand and monitor key profitability and growth drivers.
• Develop business cases and financial models to support investment decisions.
• Conduct post-implementation reviews on products and channels to identify insights and learning opportunities.
• Support product pricing, tariffs, and commercial policy decisions.

Financial Performance Analysis & Reporting

• Prepare, analyse, and report monthly operational spend, income, expenses, and cash flow.
• Conduct in-depth variance, trend, and key driver analysis.
• Prepare management reports and presentations summarizing financial performance.
• Monitor product and channel performance and identify risks and opportunities.
• Perform deep-dive root cause analysis to improve performance outcomes.
• Provide financial insights and recommendations to support strategic decisions.
• Review and submit reports to the Head of Finance on departmental performance and budget compliance.

Group Reporting & Board Reporting

• Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual submissions to Group via HFM.
• Ensure reporting is accurate, complete, and submitted within deadlines.
• Prepare month-end reports and detailed packs for Group reporting.
• Collate financial and operational information across business units for board meetings.
• Prepare board reports and presentations covering:
  • Actual vs Budget
  • Actual vs Forecast
  • KPI performance
  • Strategic financial insights
• Prepare and distribute board packs to stakeholders.

Financial Control & Governance

• Maintain a strong financial control environment across all finance functions.
• Review adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls.
• Ensure robust controls across:
  • Accounts Payable
  • Accounts Receivable
  • Procurement
  • Inventory
  • Fixed Assets
  • Cash and Bank
  • General Ledger
• Maintain finance policies, procedures, and process documents.
• Ensure all procedures are documented and regularly updated.

Procurement Management

• Oversee end-to-end procurement processes.
• Manage vendor selection, negotiations, purchase orders, and goods receipt.
• Implement procurement policies and governance standards.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships.
• Analyse procurement spend to identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Support contract negotiations and cost optimization initiatives.

Inventory Management

• Oversee inventory accounting, controls, and reporting.
• Ensure accurate inventory valuation and stock reconciliations.
• Monitor stock movement, ageing, and obsolescence risks.
• Implement controls to safeguard inventory assets.
• Review stock counts and investigate variances.
• Ensure inventory records align with accounting and operational systems as per IFRS

Commission Management

• Oversee commission calculations, validations, and payments.
• Ensure commission structures are correctly applied.
• Review commission reconciliations and resolve discrepancies.
• Provide analysis on commission trends and costs.

Accounts Payable Management

• Oversee processing of vendor invoices 
• Ensure timely and accurate payments.
• Manage accounts payable aging and resolve payment delays.
• Ensure proper approval controls and compliance with Delegation of Authority (DOA).

VAT, Tax & Statutory Compliance

• Manage VAT submissions and tax reporting.
• Ensure timely and accurate statutory submissions.
• Maintain compliance with regulatory and legal requirements.
• Reconcile management accounts to statutory accounts.
• Monitor tax legislation changes and implement required adjustments.

Treasury, Bank & Cash Management

• Manage bank accounts and reconciliations.
• Oversee daily cash operations and liquidity management.
• Prepare cash flow forecasts.
• Maintain that the company is FICA compliant.

Month-End Close & Management Accounts

• Manage month-end close process.
• Oversee journal entries and reconciliations.
• Ensure timely month-end closure in line with Group deadlines.
• Prepare management accounts with detailed commentary.
• Review balance sheet reconciliations and supporting schedules.
• Ensure sub-ledgers reconcile to the general ledger.
• Provide insights on financial performance and corrective actions.

Intercompany Accounting

• Manage all intercompany transactions.
• Ensure compliance with Group accounting standards.
• Reconcile intercompany balances.
• Resolve discrepancies in a timely manner.

Audit & Compliance

• Manage internal and external audit processes.
• Liaise with auditors and regulatory bodies.
• Resolve audit findings and implement recommendations.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with IFRS and Group accounting standards.
• Provide guidance on complex accounting matters and new accounting standards.

Supervisory 

• Manage a team 

• Build employee relations and collaborative teamwork 

• Communicate actively and effectively resolving any potential conflicts that may arise

• Training of TOPP trainees rotating into the area.

• (BCom Hons – Account / Financial Management or the equivalent

• CA (SA) 

Experience 

• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in a finance role with a strong emphasis on accounts payable, procurement, and cash management.

• Experience working in a medium to large organization 

• Experience with ERP systems (e.g., Sage Evolution) is preferred 

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. 

• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and time-management skills. 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other relevant software.

• IFRS, IAS, Sage Evolution and Hyperion

• Experience in managing regulatory requirements