Financial Controller (In-house – CPT) at Datafin Recruitment

ENVIRONMENT:

• A welfare organisation is looking for a Financial Controller who will be responsible for the overall financial health, integrity, and regulatory compliance of the organisation.
• The role involves oversight of all financial operations, including robust controls, accurate and timely financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and grant management.
• The position includes preparing monthly journals, general ledger reconciliations, management accounts and variance analysis.

DUTIES:

Financial Management and Reporting

• Manage all day-to-day financial operations, including general ledger, bank reconciliations, and payroll processing and reconciliations.
• Accounting system maintenance to make sure the reports that are generated are accurate.
• Maintaining and managing the renewal of Service level agreements, raise accruals and making sure that all income and expenses are processed in the correct account periods.
• Prepare and deliver accurate and insightful monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and management accounts.
• Provide detailed variance analysis of actual results versus budgets, identifying risks and opportunities for improvement.
• Maintain the organization’s fixed asset register and calculating the monthly depreciation journal.
• Oversee cash flow management and prepare regular forecasts to ensure the organization’s liabilities are met.
• Managing the accounts payable ledger to ensure payment to all vendors is made on time
• Managing the account receivable ledger to minimize the risk of bad debts.
• Preparing and meeting the monthly deadline of the monthly reports to the board of directors.
• Take full control to complete the Annual financial statements.

Budgeting and Financial Planning

• Preparing the annual budgeting process in collaboration with the management team and providing financial data and guidance.
• Budget planning and completing the annual forecast for the board of directors as per the set deadlines.
• Contribute to the organization’s strategic financial planning and overall growth strategy.
• Once the budget is approved, manage the process of having the data imported into the financial system.

Compliance, Governance, and Risk Management

• Ensure full compliance with South African regulations, including reporting to the South African Revenue Service (SARS) for tax and other statutory submissions (e.g., VAT, UIF, EMP201).
• To make sure that the correct information and documents are in place when foreign vendors are paid
• Implement and monitor a robust internal control framework to safeguard the organization’s assets and ensure financial integrity.
• Take on the primary point of contact with their external auditors and prepare all necessary documentation.
• Manage financial risk and ensure strict adherence to donor funding requirements and reporting standards.
• Work within the framework and authorization of the Delegation of Authority

Grant Management

• Oversee financial grant management, including monitoring expenditure, ensuring compliance with grant-specific reporting requirements.
• Ensure proper recording and classification of grant funds, including restricted and unrestricted income.
• Work closely with the grant officer, the CEO and Marketing Manager to prepare the grant reports for donors.

Leadership and Collaboration

• Manage and provide leadership to the finance and administration team. Mentor and motivate them to ensure a high-quality output.
• Effectively communicate financial information and reports to non-financial staff and the Board
• Build productive working relationships across the organization and with external partners.

REQUIREMENTS:

• A professional accounting qualification is highly desirable. A bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or a related field is a minimum requirement.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in financial management, with at least 2 years in a senior accounting/financial role. Experience within the non-profit sector is a significant advantage.
• Strong knowledge of financial and accounting principles, including IFRS for SMEs and South African tax and non-profit legislation.
• Proven experience implementing and monitoring internal financial controls and coordinating annual audits.
• Proficiency in accounting software (e.g. Sage VIP, Business Central) and have strong Excel skills.
• Must have excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.

ATTRIBUTES:

• A proactive, results-oriented, and ethical approach to financial management.
• Ability to work autonomously and manage multiple tasks efficiently under pressure.