Group Financial Controller at Phoenix Recruitment

• Multi-Property Hospitality Group with Head Offices based in Cape Town is looking for an experienced, hands-on Group Financial Controller to lead their group finance function.
• The successful candidate will take ownership of day-to-day accounting, month-end close, cash-flow forecasting and financial controls, providing accurate, timely information to the CFO and senior leadership.
• This role requires detailed financial oversight alongside strong commercial insight and the confidence to escalate material concerns directly to ownership.

Duties:

Financial Reporting & Month-End:

• Own daily, weekly and monthly financial reporting across properties and entities.
• Lead month-end close, ensuring accurate journals, accruals, payroll postings, provisions and fixed-asset records.
• Oversee intercompany allocations, consolidations and balance-sheet reconciliations.
• Produce property and group management accounts supported by reconciled records and clear variance commentary.
• Prepare concise financial analysis for senior management, owners, boards and lenders.

Cash Flow & Treasury:

• Maintain cash visibility and a rolling 13-week cash-flow forecast.
• Monitor working capital, liquidity, debt facilities, borrowing schedules and lender covenants.
• Oversee banking controls and reconciliations.
• Identify funding pressures and financial risks early and recommend corrective action.

​​​​​​​Cost Control & Commercial Analysis:

• Drive cost and working-capital discipline across stock, cost of sales, payroll, overheads, debtors and creditors.
• Monitor capital expenditure, projects, maintenance and logistics-related costs.
• Investigate variances and ensure corrective actions are implemented.
• Analyse occupancy, average daily rate, RevPAR, revenue trends and other hospitality performance indicators.
• Partner with operational and commercial teams to improve profitability, procurement, stock management and marketing returns.

​​​​​​​Budgeting, Audit & Compliance:

• Lead budgeting and forecasting processes.
• Coordinate audit preparation and finalisation.
• Oversee VAT, PAYE and other statutory submissions.
• Maintain effective financial controls, supporting documentation and compliance procedures.

​​​​​​​Team Leadership & Systems:

• Manage, coach and develop the finance team across head office and properties.
• Set clear standards for reporting quality, deadlines and accountability.
• Improve data integrity, financial systems, reporting efficiency and automation.
• Use advanced Excel and appropriate AI-enabled analysis to support financial insight.
• Escalate material concerns affecting financial integrity, liquidity, assets, compliance, lender relationships or reputation through direct, confidential access to ownership.

​​​​​​​Requirements:

• A relevant Accounting or Financial Management Degree or Diploma.
• A recognised professional accounting designation would be advantageous.
• Substantial financial-management experience with full responsibility for month-end close and management accounting.
• Proven experience leading finance teams across multiple entities, business units or properties.
• Multi-property hospitality experience is highly preferred.
• Strong experience in cash-flow forecasting, consolidation, intercompany accounting and balance-sheet control.
• Sound knowledge of budgeting, stock and cost-of-sales analysis, audit and statutory compliance.
• Advanced Excel skills and strong working knowledge of accounting/ERP and hospitality property-management systems.
• Practical knowledge of relevant legislation and reporting frameworks, including VAT, income tax, Companies Act requirements, BCEA, EE, OHSA, COIDA, IFRS and GAAP.
• Strong commercial awareness and the ability to explain hospitality performance and market trends.
• Exceptional integrity, attention to detail and the confidence to raise concerns early.
• Strong leadership, communication and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure, meet deadlines and translate financial results into practical action.

Closing Date: 30 Nov 2026