Group Finance Manager

SUMMARY:
We have an exciting opportunity for a dynamic, highly motivated, and fully qualified finance professional to join our client’s team as Group Finance Manager (GFM), reporting to the newly appointed Group Financial Controller (GFC).
In this role, you will be responsible for delivering accurate and comprehensive financial reporting for all operating entities within the Group. You will directly manage a team of Senior Financial Accountants and oversee a larger team of financial accountants and bookkeepers.
 
This is a crucial position that will drive the transformation of our clients’ finance function, including the implementation of an ERP system and the development of financial structures to support rapid geographic and product expansion. The successful candidate will enhance the quality and timeliness of our clients monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting and play a key role in managing a demanding audit process.
 
You will need to liaise internally across all business functions to maximize the value finance brings to the organisation. Additionally, the GFM will work closely with external parties, including third-party consultants, tax authorities, auditors, and regulatory bodies in the regions where our client operates. This role also offers significant exposure to the Group CFO and other senior management.

POSITION INFO:
Key Responsibilities:

• Overall responsibility to the Group Financial Controller for the timely delivery of valid, accurate and complete monthly, quarterly and annual financial reporting of the Group, including production of certain sections of the board packs.
• Commitment to improving the quality of our reporting across the balance sheet, including introducing best practices in our month end reconciliations and related reconciling items as well as working capital analysis and efficiency improvements. Drive efficiencies in process design and controls to assist in building a “World Class” finance function Design and implementation of effective controls over the timely preparation and review of balance sheet reconciliations and intercompany recharges in line with our Group Transfer Pricing policy.
• Management of at least 4 direct reports, including regular reviews and feedback as well mentoring individual training plans. Indirect management of over 20 other Corporate Finance staff.
• Working with the Technical accounting department to practically implement Group accounting policies including any amendments to relevant IFRS standards.
• Overall responsibility for delivering successful Group and local statutory audits including the preparation of financial statements.
• Working with the FP&A department and Business Partners to deliver value-add monthly reporting (including clear and insightful variance analyses and commentary) and providing key input into the compilation of budgets and reforecasts.
• Overall finance systems administrator covering core accounting controls and set-up for our ERP system – Netsuite, including assisting the Finance Systems Manager to effectively implement during Q2 2023Timely and accurate review of relevant tax submissions in conjunction with the Group tax department for the Group.
• Submission of various other statutory or regulatory obligations for the entities under your remit.
• Involvement in various finance improvement projects, including system implementations, month end process efficiencies, new market expansion and business maturity workstreams.
• Internal liaison with other departments and working closely with Business Partnering team to assist in solving commercial issues as they arise.
• Designing and implementing effective controls over the processes under your control and the wider business processes.

• Experience of multi-national Groups structures, preferably across the African continent and/or the UK.
• Finance business systems experience across ERP platforms, preferably Netsuite.
• Experience in preparing/reviewing and submitting VAT and Corporate tax returns.
• Experience of Financial Services is strongly preferred, but candidates with multi-site/jurisdiction experience in Retail, Consumer Services, Telecommunications and Technology in general, will also be considered.
• Experience working in high growth/fast-moving organisations.
• Advanced time management and organisational skills.
• Developed team management skills to ensure an engaged, high functioning team.
• Advanced MS Office skills.
• Open, transparent, and adaptable with previous mixed experience of blue-chip and high growth entrepreneurial organisations with the ability to implement best practice, drive change and thrive within less structured and fast-changing environments.
• Exceptional leader: high energy, results oriented, and knows how to influence people in a constructive manner, being capable of building and developing a high performing team.
• Shares a passion for our client’s purpose and enjoys working in a fast-paced, informal but highly ambitious company.
• Hands-on self-starter, who knows what to do without being told, with a no-nonsense ‘get it done attitude’, quickly diagnosing issues, proposing and executing solutions in a short timeframe.
• Deep understanding of the African context, but at the same time, this must be a someone with a global mindset.
• Ability to work under pressure, commercial acumen, and capable of linking the role to shareholder value creation / profitability.
• Keen to be part of a multi-cultural organisation that is committed to excellence, inclusion, diversity, community development and the environment.

• CA(SA) or equivalent qualification.
• Proven track record and experience from a strong corporate training background with Big 4 (or another leading audit firm), with the ability to combine this with an entrepreneurial mind-set.
• 6-10 years post article experience.