Director: Finance at University of Fort Hare

The University of Fort Hare is a vibrant, equitable and sustainable African University, committed to teaching and research excellence at the service of its students, scholars and the wider community. The University of Fort Hare seeks to appoint appropriately qualified and experienced candidates for a vacant post in Finance Department:
Main purpose/ objective

• This position primarily provides proactive support to the financial discipline and CFO on ensuring delivery of objectives across the areas of Financial Accounting and Treasury, Payroll, Asset Management, Financial Statements Preparation, Tax Compliance and External Audit. It also manages progress on responsibilities flowing from the annual reporting calendar, together with the CFO.

Key job functions

• Group financial reporting/external auditing
• Corporate financing, financial analysis, and modelling
• Operational finance
• Financial compliance/governance/risk management
• Specific Finance assignments/project management
• Finance capacity development and automation

Minimum qualifications and experience

• Chartered Accountant, CA (SA) or Masters in Accounting /MCOMPT
• A minimum of 8 years’ working experience in Finance/Audit/Tax environment in a large and complex organisation.
• Proven 3 Years’ experience working as a Financial Accountant/Manager or in a commercial /technical accounting environment.

Skills and competencies – The following are the skills and competencies required for the position:

• Relevant Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems
• Expert knowledge in the use of financial software, ERP applications, databases,   spreadsheets, and/or word processing. Must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• In-depth knowledge of financial accounting, IFRS, financial regulations, compliance, and financial reporting.
• Ability to work in a complex environment with multiple tasks, tight deadlines and intense pressure to perform.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills.
• Strong leadership skills, as well as skills in facilitation, team building and coordination
• Ability to coach and mentor others to develop their technical financial capacity.
• Experience in  managing and motivating team members.
• Understanding of management principles and how to create a sense of teamness.
• Public Sector or Higher education experience will be an added advantage.