Financial Controller at Seriti

The Role

Reporting directly to the Finance Director, this role supports the day-to-day management of Seriti Green developments companies (South and East Africa regions) financial and administrative matters, across all group development companies and subsidiaries. The purpose of the Financial Controller Developments (“FCD”) is to coordinate, manage and execute financial accounting and reporting processes, including period close, statistical and statutory reporting and transactional accounting. Along with internal and external audit and preparation of AFS and the preparation of other financial reports that summarise and forecast the financial position. The FCD will oversee the setting of targets and supporting the various departments in creating and maintaining budgets. The FCD works closely with the current teams in South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania as well as future teams in new regions.

Key Responsibilities Include

•  Examine and analyse financial information and present findings (written and verbal) to senior management and Directors
•  Accountability for the execution of Business level financial reporting process
•  Oversees the creation, interpretation, and implementation of financial accounting policies
•  Contributing to company and financial strategy and decision-making process
•  Ensure robust financial systems and processes are in place, making suggestions for enhancements where needed
•  Prepare board and other stakeholder reports as required.
•  Preparation and submission of financial statements that are compliant applicable financial reporting
• standards
•  Monitors compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and accounting interpretations
•  Management of Auditors and other corporate and financial advisors
•  Completion of audits in line with group reporting requirements
•  BBBEE reporting requirements and audits
•  Responsible for internal and external financial reporting requirements
•  Implementation and management of transfer pricing documents and service level agreements for recharges to development, operational and asset management companies

Monthly

•  Accountable for the overall trial balance and including the review of reconciliations
•  Manages transactional accounting and processing activities, including cash, payroll, fixed assets, debtors,
• creditors and revenue accounting.
•  Monthly financial reports, coordinating short term cash forecasting and operational performance KPIs
•  Coordinates the period end close process
•  Responsible for governance and integration of all financial systems (ERP, Treasury, marketing, forecasting etc)
•  Review Intercompany invoicing in line with transfer pricing policy, local tax requirements and intercompany agreements
•  Perform consolidation and other journal entries as well as financial reporting & budget to actual variance
• analysis for group companies (currently South Africa, Kenya & Tanzania).

 Banking:

•  review of biweekly payments to ensuring appropriate supporting documents and correct payment terms are applied
•  approval of payments in line with delegated authority
•  approval of beneficiaries and general maintenance within the accounts
•  Process forex transactions (different currencies within the group)

Budgeting

•  Assist in the design of annual budgeting process and templates for short-, medium- and long term planning,
•  Assist with all items of the budgeting process and provide support to project managers in setting project
• budgets
•  Prepare head office budgets based on actual trends and updating approved budgets in the accounting

system
Compliance

•  Assist with all Company secretarial duties and compliance matters for all company entities (with assistance from local advisers as necessary)
•  Accurate and timeously tax, WHT & vat filings for group entities.

Other

•  Provide project and head office support, such as assisting with preparing the finance section of tender responses and large reports.
•  Other areas of responsibility: company insurance, licensing, contracts and agreements management, major supplier/customer relationships.
•  Ensure appropriate filing system (invoices, expense claims, company contracts) for group companies.
•  Adhoc duties and reporting as directed
•  Strong problem-solving abilities and being able to generate out of the box solutions
•  Good with numbers and figures and has an analytical acumen
•  Strong organisational skills with attention to detail
•  Strong analytical skills
•  Time management and organisational skills
•  Knowledge of MS Office and familiarity with relevant computer software
•  Ability to engage effectively with people of all cultures and nationalities
•  Ability to manage financial process and team effectively
•  Deadline driven with a strong tendency to planning and preparing for deadlines
•  Ability to work with teams in remote areas

Education & Experience
Non-Negotiable

•  Chartered Accountant or similar accreditation with at least 3 years similar experience
•  >2 years post qualification experience in a commercial organisation, or in a commercially focused role

Beneficial

•  Relevant experience in doing business in South Africa and multiple jurisdictions in East Africa
•  Involvement in systems design, testing and implementation
•  Policy/procedure design and implementation
•  Management of a team of more than 2 people for a period of more than 12 months
•  Prior experience in project, finance and commercial areas

. Character & Attributes

•  Enthusiastic commitment to the renewable energy industry
•  Ability to demonstrate high standards of ethical conduct, honesty and integrity
•  High attention to accuracy; cost conscious
•  The capacity and willingness to perform hands-on tasks
•  Self-motivated with the ability to work both individually and as a part of a small, skilled, and highly focused team, with a “can-do” attitude and willingness to take ownership of delivering on their goals and responsibilities
•  Proactive approach to problem-solving and comfortable to make recommendations around resolving challenges
•  Strong commercial acumen and an ability to think and act strategically in order to maximize opportunities for the business
•  Flexible working style, able to work at a variety of differently levels both inside and outside the organisation and with members of the team being in different locations
•  Team player
•  Comfortable, available and willing to travel and do business within Africa at times
•  High attention to detail including adherence to company procedures
•  Resourceful, well organised and effective at accomplishing objectives
•  Ability to learn quickly and meet deadlines
•  Ability to problem-solve

System experience (advantageous)

•  Netsuite
•  Sage
•  Draftworx