Finance Operations Manager at Discovery Limited

Key Purpose

• Develop and own the end‑to‑end finance operations for a start-up renewal energy business—ensuring operational processes integrate into the entities financial processing accurately, timely, and compliant across billings, procurement, AP/AR, treasury, tax, management accounting and financial reporting.This role will design, establish and implement finance operational processes, policies and internal controls tailored.

Key Responsibilities

Finance Processes and Controls

• Design and implement finance processes to integrate from the operating environment
• Lead Billings, Cashbacks, AR, AP, cashbook, and month‑end close; ensure IFRS‑compliant records and reconciliations (GL, GR/IR, subledgers).
• Design and maintain internal controls over P2P, Capex, asset capitalization, and revenue recognition.
• Implement cut-off, accruals, and 3‑way match (PO–GRN–Invoice) discipline.
• Own ERP process integrity (SAGE), master data governance, and approvals matrix.

Accounts Payable & Invoice Processing

• Standardize invoice intake (central mailbox/portal), 3‑way match, exception handling, and SLAs.
• Build dispute resolution process and vendor communication cadence.

Accounts Receivable & Billing

• Ensure accurate customer invoicing.
• Credit control: customer credit checks, collections cadence, dispute management, and DRO improvement.
• Revenue recognition policies for long‑term contracts; alignment with IFRS 15.

Project & Capex Accounting

• Set up WBS/project structures, budgets, and cost codes for EPC and O&M.
• Track committed vs. actual project costs; manage change orders, retention, and WIP reporting.
• Capitalization of assets (IAS 16), componentization, and transfer to fixed asset register with depreciation schedules.
• Inventory control for major equipment; periodic counts and shrinkage analysis.

Treasury, Tax & Compliance

• Cash flow forecasting ; manage facilities, guarantees, and FX exposure on imports.
• Support audits (internal & external); prepare audit file and respond to queries.
• Ensure B-BBEE procurement tracking and reporting (where applicable).

Data, Systems & Process Improvement

• Own finance systems roadmap; lead automation in P2P/O2C, bank feeds, reconciliations, close tasks.
• Define KPIs dashboards and close calendar; enforce SLA adherence.
• Train business users (projects, procurement) on finance procedures and approvals.

Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Partner with Projects/Engineering/Procurement/Legal/Operations to ensure commercial discipline.
• Provide concise, decision‑ready reporting to leadership.

Personal Attributes & Competencies

• Operational Excellence: Process design, simplification, and automation.
• Control Mindset: Risk identification, pragmatic controls, audit readiness.
• Commercial Acumen: Project cost drivers, supplier terms, cash conversion.
• Stakeholder Influence: Clear communicator; comfortable challenging and aligning.
• People Leadership: Coaching, performance management, delegation.
• Analytical Rigor: Variance analysis, KPI tracking, and data storytelling.

Qualifications & Experience

• 5–8+ years total experience, with 3+ years in finance consulting/ operations/controllership
• Strong IFRS, VAT, internal controls. Proven track record setting up P2P/O2C policies and leading month-end close
• Strong technology and AI implementation skills
• Microsoft product suite
• Experience with SAGE &  OneStream is advantageous
• CA(SA) (required).
• Registered with SAICA