Financial Controller – Farming

SUMMARY:
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POSITION INFO:

Ensure independent and accurate accounting and operational reporting to support our client’s farming operations. This is a very hands-on, high visibility role requiring intensive commitment.

Essential Criteria:

• Proficiency in English and Afrikaans
• Bachelor’s degree
• Exposure to the agriculture industry and farming background preferred
• Minimum of 3 to 5 years’ work experience
• Management experience required
• Experience in a similar role

Role & Responsibilities:

Approval & Management:

• Approve all invoices, PO’s, JNL’s, and SVA’s related to farming within 24 hours of receipt.
• Manage the Farming Admin team, including backup planning, cross-functional training, one-on-one meetings, and career development.

Financial Management:

• Calculate, report, and manage the Farming Business P&L.
• Ensure all harvested tonnages are accounted for in the T1 system.
• Perform transport reconciliations to identify discrepancies between harvested and delivered tonnages.
• Capture and allocate all correct “basis” costs (handling, silo diffs, transport, etc.) per farm, crop, and silo.
• Ensure manual calculations balance with T1 deliveries, MIS uploads, SAP GL & MBOR reports daily, MTD & YTD for volumes and GM per crop type.
• Review trade position accuracy and ensure reporting accuracy and completeness in BPC, MBOR, SS & WD4.

System Management:

• Manage SAP (ERP) system for the Farming Business, including uploading new farming locations and managing budgets at the WBS level.
• Create and manage new WBS’s.
• Assist with annual budgeting and forecasting processes, including OPEX/CAPEX budget compilation and presentation.
• Enter budget data into relevant BPC & SAP templates for upload and ensure forecasting accuracy.
• Compile and manage budget vs. actual reports.

Balance Sheet Management:

• Perform monthly BSI reconciliations.
• Manage the NESTA system for IFRS16 calculations.
• Manage the SHED inventory system, ensuring all inventory amounts are accurate and complete.
• Ensure the biological asset amount is complete and accurate.

Efficiency Gains:

• Improve procedures and data integrity.
• Automate processes and implement new technology such as Power BI.

Audit Assistance:

• Assist with annual internal and external audits.
• Handle all farming audit queries and liaise with auditors.
• Ensure no repeat audit findings (e.g., inventory count, IFRS16).

Operational Support:

• Prepare farmer reconciliations and profitability analysis.
• Coordinate between farming operational and accounting teams.
• Prepare operational reports to support the Farming Manager.
• Handle VAT: Diesel submission (monthly) and rebate journal.
• Perform any ad-hoc duties as required.

Other Responsibilities:

• Assist Farming Operations with the Farming “Schedule A”.
• Serve as the point of contact for any financial farming operation questions.
• Assist the Business Control Manager in training other team members.

Essential Skills:

• Excellent leadership skills
• Ability to work cross-functionally with senior management
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Advanced computer literacy (MS Excel)
• Aptitude for continuous system enhancements and automation
• Numerical reasoning and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work under pressure while maintaining excellent attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy

Desirable Skills:

• Background in grain and agri industry and commodities trading
• Experience with SAP financial modules
• ERP experience
• Ability to work independently with minimal review required
• Planning, organizing, and excellent time management skills
• Critical thinker with emotional resilience to overcome obstacles