Finance Analyst (12 Month Fixed - Term Contract)_UPD Lea Glen, Roodepoort at Clicks Group

Introduction

• We are looking to recruit a (12 Month Fixed - Term Contract) Finance Analyst within the Finance department. The role will be based at the United Pharmaceutical Distributors (UPD) in Roodepoort, Lea Glen and will report to the Finance Manager (Fin. Planning & Analysis).

Job description

Job Purpose:

• Highly analytical and detail-oriented FP&A Analyst who will be responsible for budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, and providing actionable insights to support strategic business decisions.
• The analyst will be required to work with large datasets, build financial models, and communicate complex information clearly to cross-functional teams.

Key Performance Areas:

• Assist in the preparation of annual budgets and quarterly/rolling forecasts.
• Conduct variance analysis and investigate deviations between actuals, budget, and forecasts. 
• To be the main contact for the budget process and SAP/SAC champion.
• To conduct analytical reviews, forecast and budgetary controls of monitoring and alerting so that business is operating within the set targets to achieve its financial objectives.
• Assist in providing support in the management of working capital management 
• Support monthly and quarterly management reporting, including dashboards and KPIs.
• Build and maintain financial models to support business planning and scenario analysis.
• Partner with business to gather inputs and understand financial impacts of operational decisions.
• Prepare financial presentations for executive leadership.
• Analyze performance trends, cost drivers, and profitability by product, region, or business unit.
• To conduct adhoc financial analysis for the business based on large data sets.
• Maintain accuracy and integrity of data in financial systems and planning tools.
• Recommend improvements to financial processes and tools.
• To ensure complete and accurate presentation of financial statements and reports applying statutory and accounting best in class standards.
• To proactively identify and resolve financial inadequacies or risks inherent in the current financial position and/or relating to past and historical practices.
• Responsible for ensuring controls, authority matrixes are embedded in business processes and disciplines to achieve compliance across all financial dependent activities.
• To efficiently plan, prioritise, interact and delegate interdependently with other functional areas to meet deadlines, and satisfy all stakeholder obligations (Group Finance etc.).
• Co-ordinate and manage group deliverables.

Skills:

• Presentation skills 
• Communication (verbal and written)
• Control and risk management
• Analytical, modelling, forensic and problem-solving skills
• Leadership and people management skills
• Knowledge of HR processes and disciplines
• Advanced excel skills
• Financial software tools
• Data visualisation (Power BI etc)
• ERP system
• Interpersonal skills
• Proactive and results driven

Knowledge:

• Deep understanding of income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement
• Ability to build and interpret financial models for forecasting, budgeting and valuation
• Knowledge of zero-based budgeting, rolling forecast, variance analysis and scenario planning
• Understanding of cost structures, fixed vs variable costs, cost allocation
• Understanding of working capital management
• Data analysis 
• Ability to connect financial performance with operational drivers

Personal competencies required:

• Adhering to Principles and Values
• Writing and Reporting
• Presenting and Communicating Information
• Analysing
• Delivering Results and Meeting Customer Expectations
• Planning and Organising
• Achieving Personal Work Goals and Objectives
• Leading and Supervising
• Resilience 

Minimum requirements

Required Qualification & Education

• CA (SA)/CIMA preferable 
• Experience working SAP/SAC (SAP Analytics Cloud Planning)
• Articles with an audit firm preferable
• 1-3 year experience in finance

Minimum Experience Required:

• Minimum 3 years accounting experience at a senior level in a high volume FMCG / Wholesale / Pharmaceutical / Manufacturing environment.
• At least 2 - 3 years' experience managing a team of accountants.