Finance Manager

Main purpose / objective of the position:

To ensure that finance is seen as a value adding business partner by improving the impact, and understanding, of financial reporting on business performance. Providing analysis and insights that link to business strategies. Maintaining commercial acumen to ensure that key operational, commercial and financial targets are delivered. Building partnerships and maintaining strong relationships with all senior managers both within CBRE Excellerate and within the client organization.

Responsible for production of financial business cases for real estate transaction and strategies (P/L, Cashflow, B/S).

Comprehensive financial analysis for real estate strategies and commercial transaction alternatives including profit and loss and balance sheet impacts.

Evaluates the optimal balance of leased and owned properties through financial analyses of alternative lease and ownership strategies.

Completes a detailed financial analysis comparing the total cash, balance sheet effects, P&L and discounted (NPV) cost for all alternatives.

Prepares the market and financial analysis.

Validates the P&L and cash flow impact of real estate strategies.

Operational Deliverables:

• Proactive management and delivery of accounting services to the client including the full suite of services for income/expense accounting and payment of creditors, and invoicing of recovery charges. Oversee client finance account reporting in line with the agreed reporting pack. Analyse and interpret general ledger for variances.
• Act as key contact for the client for financial aspects.
• Collaboration with the corporate accounting, property and other teams – where required - as well as lease and transaction management to deliver a seamless and cohesive client approach.
• Managing and advising on ad hoc client finance projects.
• Active involvement in, including both leadership and support of projects and initiatives to drive improvement in team performance, efficiency, and productivity.
• Financial Management:
  • Reporting of results to client, management of expenses and income, balance sheet control including maintenance of GL account, handling of queries relating to financial reporting, maintenance of recurring expenses and payments and recoveries, management of cash flow.
  • Analyse and interpret general ledger for variances.
  • Preparation of financial files for submission to client.
  • Management of recoveries and reconciliation thereof.
• Budgeting & Forecasting:
  • Compilation of budget, budget management, handling of queries, analysis and evaluation of deviations.
• Drawdown and payments:
  • Ensure monthly drawdown files are compiled, reviewed, and sent for approval. Handle payments and queries on accounts together with Payables team.
• Payables/Creditors Management:
  • Pro-active management of creditor accounts and management of cash flow.
  • Manage and prevent disconnections due to non/short payments.
  • Ensuring that communication with various municipalities are handled professionally and pro-actively.
  • Monitor creditor accounts for non-payments, delayed payments, and other irregularities.
  • Interact with payables team and municipalities to resolve queries.
  • Communicate, investigate and resolve queries via phone, email and/or meetings to be initiated.
  • Strengthen and grow relationships with creditors and staff by communicating regularly regarding account information including payments, alignment and account updates.
• Audit:
  • Handling of queries on audit report, preparation of audit packs. Assistance with preparation of budgets, forecast as well as variance analysis and reporting on monthly and quarterly results.
• People management:
  • Support and mentoring of operational resources.
• Business partnering:
  • Query management and resolution, collaboration within team to improve process efficiency and reduce risk.

Stakeholder Management:

• Support the account leadership in complaints investigation and liaise with function heads and audit and compliance to resolve complaints or disputes.
• Where appropriate for any finance failures or complaints, identify remedies and implement approved recommendations of investigations, leading to change management as necessary.

Experience / Education / Knowledge:
Minimum BCom (Accounting) degree. Other academic qualifications will be advantageous (SAIPA, CIMA, CA(SA) etc).

At least 3-5 years relevant experience in Financial Management.

Staff management experience.

Knowledge of South Africa’s Utilities network operations, property markets and general administration/Accounting/Finance acumen.

PC and Technical Skills required:

• Computer literacy (SAP; MS Office - Excel Advanced, Outlook and Word).
• Excellent Business administration and organisational skills.
• Time Management.
• Advanced Financial Calculations & Reporting.
• Business planning.
• Analytical/sound numeracy skills.
• Problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Interpersonal skills.

Competencies required:

• Communication.
• Analytical Thinking.
• Problem solving.
• Decision-making.
• Customer Relationship Building and networking.
• Change Leadership.
• Financial and Business Acumen.
• Applied Strategic Planning.
• Challenging environment adoption.

Major drivers of work volume:

• Authority limits.
• Complexity of reporting requirements.
• Number of leases translated to creditor accounts and profile of portfolio.

Interface / relationships with:
Internal: IT, Senior Finance Manager, Leasing Managers, Key Account Manager
External: Creditors, Clients