Financial Manager: Management Reporting (Western Cape) at PEP

Description

• To transform financial data into clear, strategic insights for the executive and Board levels, ensuring informed and effective decision-making that drives business performance and the achievement of strategic goals.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Insight & Executive Reporting

• Lead the end-to-end production of monthly management accounts, executive performance packs, and supporting schedules, ensuring accuracy and alignment with strategic objectives.
• Generate proactive, detailed analysis and commentary on financial results, distilling complex data into clear implications and providing recommendations for immediate corrective action or strategic shifts.
• Review and evaluate financial performance against key strategic metrics (KPIs), proactively identifying areas of concern and providing data-driven feedback to the business to inform critical decision-making.
• Identify and execute opportunities to continuously enhance management reporting, focusing on predictive insights, scenario planning, and leveraging new technologies to drive a data-informed, cost-efficiency culture.
• Coordinate the preparation of Board and governance files to facilitate the highest level of financial oversight and decision-making.

Performance Management & Planning

• Spearhead the annual budgeting and periodic forecasting process, including the development and maintenance of standardised models, templates, and procedures across the organisation.
• Conduct deep-dive variance analysis (actuals vs. budget/forecast) to isolate underlying performance issues, identify missing accruals, and ensure complete and accurate financial representation.
• Analyse financial data and other operating information to systematically identify opportunities for efficiency improvements and better cost management across all functions.
• Develop and maintain the financial reporting calendar (monthly, quarterly, annual), ensuring clear, timeous communication of critical deadlines and requirements to all internal stakeholders

Business Partnership & Automation

• Serve as a dedicated Business Partner to key operational and support departments, interpreting financial outcomes, analysing expense trends, and providing collaborative support for achieving their financial targets.
• Work collaboratively with the Systems Manager/IT teams to automate management reporting processes, implement advanced analytical tools, and transition reporting toward predictive modelling and self-service capabilities.
• Drive process efficiency and continuous improvement projects within the Finance department and in other support functions, focusing on stream-lining workflows and enhancing data integrity.
• Manage ad hoc data analytics and reporting requests from senior leadership, delivering timely and precise information to address urgent strategic or operational questions.

Requirements

• Qualified Chartered Accountant (SA), CIMA qualification or related qualification advantageous
• Experience in a high-volume, fast-paced retail or commercial environment is preferred
• Proven expertise in operational reporting, cost management, and margin analysis
• Experience with Group reporting structures is beneficial
• SAP, Google Workspace and MS Excel proficient