Finance Manager :Sorbet at Clicks Group

Introduction

• The role will have a day-to-day, ongoing impact on company operations, to analyse, strategise, and grow the company’s financial position. This role is strategic and understands current accounting practices and trends, but also will have experience raising capital and adapting to change, whether it is through growth or downsizing.
• As a member of the Sorbet executive committee (EXCO), this is a leadership role that requires clear and effective communication skills across many stakeholders. The role reports into the Finance Executive for Retail Business Development.

Job description

Roles and Responsibilities:

• The overall functioning of the Sorbet Group’s Finance departments.
• Implementation of effective management control mechanisms and processes.
• Systems analysis, development and enhancement.
• Strategic financial analysis and development / maintenance of business models.
• Financial oversight of Sorbet Group’s annual operating and 3-year business plan / strategy.
• Financial sign-off of operating expenditure, capital expenditure, employment agreements, business acquisition and business disposals in line with the Responsibility Assignment Matrix for the Sorbet Group.
• Compilation of monthly management accounts, EXCO figure reporting and variance analysis against prior year and budget.
• Group reporting including compilation of group reporting packs.
• Monthly business review meetings together with the preparation and presentation of financial results.
• Budgetary and financial control including budget presentations to shareholder and compilation of budget packs.
• Manage the external audit and preparation of all annual financial statements timeously.
• Compilation and continual maintenance of the Internal Financial Control register which forms the basis of the internal audit.
• Manage the internal audit and timeous implementation of any suggested financial controls suggested by the internal audit team.
• Management of the Procurement element of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment scorecard and oversight of all the other elements within the scorecard as part of the annual B-BEEE verification process.
• Overall banking management and cash flow forecasting and control.
• Ad-hoc financial, tax and vat advisory services for franchisees.
• Ad-hoc valuation of franchised businesses in line with the Franchise Agreement and Operating Manual.
• Ad-hoc review and approval of cash forecasts for franchisee funding requirements.
• Managing good business relationships with the franchise divisions of all major banks to ensure the updated business model and strategy is communicated and fair franchise network banking fees are negotiated.
• Design and implementation of the franchisee’s financial framework and policies.
• Hosting quarterly training sessions for franchisees and their accountants to ensure uniformity in accounting treatment in line with group policies.
• Review of financial statements of franchisees, updating group benchmarks and assessing stores against these benchmarks with recommendations.
• Annual review and implementation of the Franchised and Corporate network’s commission structures, including rules and targets.
• Compilation of various operational reports on a weekly, monthly and ad-hoc basis.
• Presentation of the Group’s financial performance at the annual national franchise conference and bi-annual regional franchisee meetings.
• Effectively manage stakeholder relationships.
• To effectively manage the risk factors which can impact on the Group’s liability exposure through maintaining and communication of the Group’s Risk Register to key stakeholders.
• Oversight of the any Sorbet Corporate Gift Card sales and initiatives.
• Annual review and updating of the Franchisee’s fee structure payable to the Franchisor.
• Quarterly and annual reporting of the national Marketing Fund Statement in line with the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act.
• To ensure adequate protection of the company’s assets including all Sorbet Intellectual Property.

Behavioural Responsibilities:

• Passionate Service – First and foremost focusses on serving the needs of our guests
• Selfless Community - Actively works to better the environment for her/his team, rather than focusing only on individual needs.
• Servant Leadership – Actively focuses on “serving” her/his guests and fellow citizens.
• Unwavering Integrity – Is honest in all her/his dealings in the community.
• Individual Growth – Actively works to better her/ his skills.

Minimum requirements

Education and Experience:

• Minimum qualification: Chartered Accountant (South Africa)
• 10 years’ post article experience, with at least 5 of those years in leadership roles.
• Exposure to JSE listed governance and reporting requirements.

Required experience and skills:

• Proficiency and a good working knowledge of the following systems:
• Sap
• Microsoft Power BI.
• Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, SharePoint, Teams and must have advanced Excel Skills.
• Self-assurance and a confident manner.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail, with the ability to find solutions to complicated problems.
• Established negotiation skills.
• Strong presentation skills.
• A self-starter, demonstrating initiative and responsibility for projects.
• Ability to build strong relationships with all stakeholders.
• Excellent time management skills, ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines.
• Understanding of advanced accounting, regulatory issues, and tax planning.

Preferred skills:

• Retail or franchising finance experience.
• An understanding of cross-border finance and structures.
• Experience in mergers and acquisitions and investor relations.