Head of Finance, South Africa

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Director at Fleming Executive Recruitment

Reporting to the SVP Finance, you will be responsible and accountable to manage the financial reporting, working capital, budgets and forecasts for the African region while providing ongoing strategic business partnering to the Organization.

Main Accountabilities Include:

1. Leading the finance function for a Wholesale Freight Forwarding business – including accounts payable / receivable, payroll and costing.
2. Timely and accurate submission of monthly management reporting packs in accordance with agreed timescale and International Financial Reporting Standards.
3. Together with the key stakeholders, you will be responsible for setting budgets and forecasts in all areas of Exports, Imports, Express, Perishables, and Warehouse Services.
4. Ensuring that the Internal Control environment is best in class meeting Internal audit standards.
5. This will require modifying the current set of controls and reconciliations to fit with the new system.
6. Responsible for all administrative functions including taxation and insurance (with support from global head office team).
7. Working with local HR to ensure payroll controls are appropriate and payments are processed timely and accurately.
8. In conjunction with the SVP of Africa you will contribute to the evolving strategy of the business for the region, by adding valuable insight both financially and through new business ideas with the aim of achieving and exceeding budgets and forecasts.
9. Providing analytical, strategic, and financial support for all new business prospects.
10. This includes the preparation and presentation of business cases and a detailed understanding of the key financial metrics that support a favourable business case.
11. With support from Central Finance, provide analysis on potential acquisition targets and where required, take up the lead on the due diligence process.
12. Experience in working with sales on pricing and setting marginal pricing.
13. Working with the Sales team providing customer and product data and monitoring the commercial performance and targets.
14. Maintain tight controls over the working capital and cash flows.
15. Actively manage the trade receivables and ensure day's sales outstanding (DSO) targets are achieved.
16. Prepare accurate weekly profit flash reports, forecasting the month's result and weekly cash flow forecasts.
17. Manage / review the reconciliations of all General Ledger accounts monthly.
18. Manage and control foreign exchange transactions and monitor banking transactions daily.
19. The timely and accurate completion of Head Office requests.
20. Responsible for the year end audit and annual statutory accounts.

Qualifications and Experience:

1. CA(SA), ACA or CIMA qualified is a requirement.
2. Demonstrable post qualification experience in a corporate accounting environment.
3. Experience managing accounting functions in a multi-site business preferred.
4. Experience in Freight Forwarding or similar business strongly preferred.
5. Ability to build good business relationships with all customers.
6. Exposure to Business Partnering and M&A preferable.
7. Experience of implementing new systems an advantage.
8. Strong Excel skills (essential) and familiarity with OneStream / Sun systems and TMFF - BluJay an advantage.
9. Ability to support regional management with business growth initiatives and efficiency / cost improvements.
10. Self-motivated, disciplined, with a flexible approach to working practices.
11. Strategic thinker.
12. Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with people at all levels of the organisation.
13. Flexibility to travel, and at times, at short notice.
14. Travel may include overseas destinations.

Job Details:

Seniority level: Director
Employment type: Full-time
Job function: Accounting / Auditing
Industries: Transportation, Logistics, Supply Chain and Storage and Freight and Package Transportation