Finance Manager

Job Description
We are seeking a highly skilled Finance Manager for a 1-year fixed term contract to join a dynamic non-profit organisation. Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer, you will play a pivotal role in driving their financial strategy through accurate budgeting, financial reporting, and insightful analysis. Your responsibilities will include developing and implementing robust budgeting tools, effective cost recovery methods, and user-friendly financial reporting dashboards. By ensuring the efficient management of their financial data and systems, you will contribute significantly to accurate forecasting, donor reporting, and compliance with relevant regulations. This position is available immediately. Remote working will be considered within South Africa, with a preference for candidates based in Cape Town.

Responsibilities:

1. Strategy and Policies:
   Implement cost recovery standards and ensure alignment with donor funding requirements.
   Develop & implement budgeting tools and templates to support effective financial planning.
   Assist with development of financial policies & procedures, focusing on reporting & analysis.
2. Financial Operations:
   Ensure accurate recording and entry of all financial data related to budgeting and forecasting.
   Support the Finance Manager in the review and posting of journal entries.
   Maintain oversight of data entry into financial systems, funding applications and finance models for accurate reporting and forecasting.
   Monitor monthly expenses and ensure reconciliation with budgets and grant allocations.
3. Budgeting and Forecasting:
   Develop detailed budget templates and lead the annual budgeting process and grant applications budgeting process with department heads.
   Perform variance analysis between budgeted and actual expenditures.
   Monitor financial performance against budgets and adjust forecasts as needed.
4. Reporting and Analysis:
   Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports for internal and external stakeholders, ensuring compliance with donor agreements and local financial regulations.
   Implement financial reporting dashboards and ensure real-time tracking of financial data.
   Support management with financial models and analysis for decision-making.
5. Grant Financial Management:
   Track and monitor grant fund usage, ensuring expenditures are aligned with restricted, semi-restricted, and unrestricted funding.
   Collaborate with programme teams to prepare and submit timely financial reports to donors, ensuring compliance with contractual obligations.
   Assist with the reviews of grantee applications and budgets.
6. Banking & Payments:
   Assist with the preparation of cash transfers and payments, ensuring accurate allocation of funds in line with budgets.
   Track foreign exchange conversions and provide reports on their impact on programme budgets and overall financial performance.
   Ensure accurate accounting of foreign currency transactions and conversions.
7. Compliance, Document Management & Filing:
   Ensure compliance with all donor, regulatory and audit standards in financial reporting.
   Maintain organised records of all financial documents and reports for audit and internal reviews.
   Support audit preparation and external financial reviews.

Requirements:

1. Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance or related field.
2. Advanced professional qualifications such as CIMA, CA, ACCA or CFA would be advantageous.
3. At least 7 years' relevant experience in financial planning, budgeting, reporting and analysis.
4. Proven experience in managing complex budgets, especially in multi-funder and donor-funded environments.
5. Strong background in financial systems implementation and reporting tools.
6. Familiarity with cost recovery models and financial sustainability frameworks in a non-profit context.
7. Advanced computer literacy, especially Excel and Xero or similar accounting packages.

Skills & Competencies:

1. Expertise in developing budgeting tools, templates, and forecasting models to support decision-making across various programmes.
2. Experience with financial reporting, including the creation of dashboards and variance analysis reports to provide insights for management and donors.
3. Strong understanding of cost recovery standards, including how to implement and track indirect costs in project budgets.
4. Ability to implement financial reporting systems and automation tools, improving the efficiency of financial operations.
5. Skilled in preparing financial forecasts and scenario analysis to guide strategic planning.
6. Ability to work closely with programme teams, ensuring alignment of programme budgets with donor requirements and financial goals.

Technical Skills:

1. High proficiency in financial systems (e.g., XERO, NetSuite, Sage, QuickBooks) and budgeting tools.
2. Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (e.g., financial modelling, pivot tables, and complex formulas).
3. Experience with financial dashboards and reporting software (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) for management and donor reporting.
4. Familiarity with grant management software and integration with accounting systems.
5. Strong knowledge of financial compliance requirements for donor-funded projects, including restricted, semi-restricted, and unrestricted grants.

Personal Attributes:

1. Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to synthesize complex data into clear insights and recommendations.
2. Strong communication and presentation skills to convey financial insights to both financial and non-financial stakeholders.
3. Problem-solving mindset, with the ability to identify process improvements and recommend solutions for better financial management.
4. Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, with strong collaboration skills to work cross-functionally.
5. High degree of attention to detail and accuracy in preparing financial reports, forecasts, and budgets.
6. Adaptability and flexibility in managing multiple priorities in a dynamic, multi-country environment and transactional issues efficiently.

Benefits:

1. 1-year fixed term contract
2. This position is available immediately.
3. Remote working will be considered within South Africa, with a preference for candidates based in Cape Town.