Cluster Finance Manager

Main Purpose:

General Purpose of Position:

– Manage the finance team.

– Manage annual budget process, control costs, Capex, debtors, cash flow, Fixed asset register and archiving.

– Ensures that all internal and external reporting requirements are met.

– Responsible for ensuring compliance with local laws and regulations.

– Responsible for effective execution of financial policies and internal controls.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities, Key Responsibilities:

Business and Financial Results Management:

• Management of in-country finance function including management of Foreign Exchange, investment and the borrowing funds and relationships with the banks in conjunction with the Regional Treasury team
• Provide accurate, complete and timely financial reports to all stakeholders
• Provide input into each country’s budgets  and monitor budgets to meet company goals

• Seek cost effective ways of achieving company goals
• Review and monitor the vendor service delivery agreements in conjunction with Procurement to ensure the company’s receives value from such contracts
• Proactively participate in Opex and Capex costing tender committees in order to contribute to meeting company objectives in a cost effective manner
• Monitor capital projects to ensure delivery within timelines and without overspend
• Lead the process to find the cost effective and most efficient way to produce a set of financial results through optimum coordination of multi-disciplinary efforts (external audits, internal audits, publishers, IT etc.)
• Ensure that working capital and fixed assets management  are recorded, maintained, reconciled and reported upon accurately  through effective resource management and monitoring
• Provide thought leadership and input into the development of strategy and structure of the company
• Responsible for sound internal controls and compliance with respect to treasury, credit and procurement processes
• Ensure compliance to all corporate taxes applicable to each company

Stakeholder Relationship Management:

• Interact with direct reports and manager/s and other internal stakeholders  in a way that promotes openness and trust and gives them confidence in one’s intentions
• Ensure a customer focused service to internal stakeholders by implementing a system for determining and managing customer needs
• Represent each company to external stakeholders in a way that promotes openness, trust and integrity
• Manage relationships with external stakeholders (eg banks, audit firms) in order to build trust and a conducive environment for negotiating better service rate and terms.
• Deliver annual financial statements on time and at the required level of quality.
• Provide input as respective committees from an Accounting (IFRS), Tax, IFRS and Regulatory perspective.
• Ensure Group performance reporting deadlines and requirements are met.
• Providing financial reports to the business.

Process Management:

• Provide insight into financial performance within validity, accuracy and completeness  through implementation of a strong controls environment
• Compile relevant elements of the business review packs by providing the supporting information
• Produce auditable financial statements for the respective reporting periods by developing project plans to achieve the reporting deadlines in compliance with IFRS
• Develop and implement relevant accounting policies in order to produce accurate and complete management accounts on a monthly basis
• Ensure compliance to all the regulatory requirements by keeping abreast of changing regulations and adapting the accounting process within the department accordingly

Team Management:

• Ensure team members understand and support the company’s vision and strategy
• Take accountability for building management expertise in others (management foundation) for team performance and success
• Lead senior recruitment processes to ensure selection contributing to success of team
• Utilise talent management practices to identify and develop future leaders and retain current talent to ensure a pipeline of future leaders and ensure business sustainability
• Ensure self and team members have required skill and professional/ technical expertise by assessing gaps and development areas and creating development plans
• Ensure each direct report has a job profile that with a view of full performance in the job
• Engage and empower direct reports and hold them accountable for business and people management results
• Create performance agreement for direct reports with measurable goals and objectives so that they understand how their performance will be viewed, recognised and rewarded
• Conduct performance review sessions with team members to review performance and progress against targets and agree on appropriate action required to meet targets or standards
• Hold direct reports accountable for performance management in their teams
• Engage with reports in such a way that they feel motivated to achieve better performance and respect for diversity  in their teams
• Energise the organisation through effective communication, involvement, engagement, learning and best practice sharing

Requirements:

Mandatory Education:

• Professional Accounting qualification – CA with 7 – 10 years post articles or BCom (Masters) with 10 years relevant financial leadership experience

Experience: 

• Seasoned professional with extensive knowledge of financial systems and local legislation.
• Industry experience is an advantage

Skills: 

• Technical IFRS knowledge and application
• Knowledge of applicable tax legislation
• IT Efficiency
• Leadership Skills
• Numeric & Analytical skills

Competencies:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent computer skills – Microsoft office
• Experience working with Dynamics NAV, Hyperion Financial Management is an advantage
• Ability to work under pressure and under minimal supervision.
• Strong work ethic and ability to effectively communicate financial information to Business leaders as well as to Senior management.
• Hands-on and detail oriented.
• Must be a team player with initiative and demonstrated capability to work in a challenging environment.
• Ability to multi-task.
• Must be deadline driven

Key Relationships and Department Overview:

• Internal – Puma Generals. Puma Regional Finance, IT and Supply. Puma Global Reporting, Credit, Treasury; Business Line Managers.
• External – External auditors, Local banks, Government, Tax authorities, Lawyers,