Financial Controller

JOB PURPOSE

The primary purpose of this role is to play a critical and integral part in maintaining the financial integrity and operational efficiency of the organization. This position is responsible for meticulously managing and reconciling key financial accounts, including the balance sheet, bank statements, and both debtors (accounts receivable) and creditors (accounts payable) ledgers. Beyond routine reconciliation, a significant aspect of this role involves acting as a crucial support mechanism for various key departmental functions, providing essential financial data and insights that facilitate informed decision-making across the business. Furthermore, this role bears significant responsibility for robust inventory control, ensuring accuracy, minimizing discrepancies, and contributing to efficient supply chain management. Ultimately, the incumbent will be instrumental in ensuring the compliance of all financial activities with established policies and regulations, thereby safeguarding the integrity, reliability, and transparency of all financial data.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

• Balance Sheet Reconciliation and Maintenance:
  • Perform regular, detailed reconciliations of all balance sheet accounts to ensure accuracy and resolve any discrepancies promptly.
  • Maintain the general ledger with up-to-date and accurate financial information, ensuring all entries are properly classified and recorded.
  • Investigate and resolve variances identified during the reconciliation process, working collaboratively with other departments as needed.
  • Prepare comprehensive reconciliation reports for management review, highlighting key findings and corrective actions.
• Bank Reconciliation and Cash Management Support:
  • Execute daily, weekly, and monthly bank reconciliations, meticulously matching bank statements to internal cash records.
  • Identify and investigate all unexplained variances, unrecorded deposits, or outstanding checks.
  • Support cash management activities by providing accurate cash position reports and assisting with cash flow forecasting data.
  • Liaise with banking institutions to resolve any discrepancies or inquiries.
• Debtors (Accounts Receivable) Management and Reconciliation:
  • Perform regular reconciliations of the debtors’ ledger to the general ledger, ensuring all customer accounts are accurate and up-to-date.
  • Monitor aging of accounts receivable and assist in the collection process by providing detailed customer statements and account histories.
  • Investigate and resolve customer payment discrepancies, working closely with sales and customer service teams.
  • Prepare and analyze debtors’ reports, identifying trends and potential risks.
• Creditors (Accounts Payable) Management and Reconciliation:
  • Conduct thorough reconciliations of the creditors’ ledger to the general ledger, verifying the accuracy of supplier balances.
  • Ensure timely and accurate processing of supplier invoices and payments, adhering to payment terms and company policies.
  • Resolve supplier statement discrepancies and manage vendor relationships related to financial inquiries.
  • Support the preparation of creditors’ reports and assist in expense analysis.
• Departmental Support and Collaboration:
  • Provide essential financial data, reports, and analysis to key departmental stakeholders (e.g., Sales, Operations, Procurement) to aid in their decision-making processes.
  • Act as a point of contact for financial inquiries from other departments, offering clear and concise explanations.
  • Assist in the preparation of budgets and forecasts by providing historical financial data and current operational insights.
  • Collaborate with auditors during internal and external audits, providing necessary documentation and explanations.
• Inventory Control and Management:
  • Implement and maintain robust inventory control procedures to ensure accuracy of stock levels in the financial system.
  • Perform regular inventory reconciliations between physical counts and system records, investigating and resolving all discrepancies.
  • Monitor inventory movements, including receipts, issues, and adjustments, ensuring all transactions are accurately recorded.
  • Assist in the valuation of inventory and contribute to the identification of obsolete or slow-moving stock.
  • Work with warehousing and operations teams to optimize inventory levels and minimize carrying costs.
• Compliance and Financial Data Integrity:
  • Ensure all financial transactions and reconciliations comply with internal policies, accounting standards (e.g., IFRS/GAAP), and relevant regulatory requirements.
  • Implement and adhere to strong internal controls to safeguard company assets and prevent financial discrepancies or fraud.
  • Maintain meticulous records and documentation for all financial activities, ensuring audit readiness at all times.
  • Proactively identify and escalate any potential risks or breaches in financial integrity.
  • Contribute to the continuous improvement of financial processes and systems to enhance efficiency and data accuracy.
• Desired But Not Essential
• · Excellent excel skills, Outlook & Word
• · Financial experience – ideally in Manufacturing or FMCG
• · High attention to detail
• · Computer literate
• · Knowledge of SOX – extremely beneficial but not essential
• · Experience of working to tight reporting deadlines
• INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
• · Excellent communication skills essential, ability to give clear written and verbal instructions, clearly understand and explain technical and commercial issues to customers and have a good understanding of procedures and processes.
• · Highly responsible, reliable and flexible with a strong work ethic.

Desired but Not Essential Qualifications and Proficiencies:

While not strictly mandatory, candidates who possess the following skills and experiences will be viewed favorably and are likely to transition more seamlessly into the role:

• Exceptional Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite: A strong command of Microsoft Excel is particularly valuable, encompassing advanced functions, data manipulation, pivot tables, and spreadsheet modeling. Alongside this, solid proficiency in Microsoft Outlook for efficient email communication and calendar management, and Microsoft Word for professional document creation and editing, will be highly advantageous. This level of expertise will enable independent and effective navigation of routine administrative and analytical tasks.
• Relevant Financial Sector Experience: Prior experience within a finance department is highly desirable. Preference will be given to individuals who have worked in either the Manufacturing or Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sectors. This specialized exposure suggests a familiarity with the unique financial cycles, cost structures, and reporting requirements inherent to these industries, allowing for a quicker understanding of our operational context.
• Meticulous Attention to Detail: A demonstrated capacity for thoroughness and accuracy in all tasks is critically important. This includes the ability to identify discrepancies, maintain precise records, and ensure the integrity of data and documentation. A keen eye for detail contributes directly to the reliability and quality of financial reporting and operational processes.
• Comprehensive Computer Literacy: Beyond specific software proficiencies, a general comfort and aptitude with various computer systems and applications are expected. This implies the ability to quickly learn new software, troubleshoot common technical issues, and adapt to evolving digital tools and platforms, fostering efficiency in a technologically driven environment.
• Knowledge of SOX Compliance (Sarbanes-Oxley Act): While not a prerequisite, a foundational understanding or previous exposure to SOX compliance principles and internal controls would be significantly beneficial. This knowledge would contribute to an enhanced awareness of regulatory requirements and best practices for financial integrity, although comprehensive training will be provided if necessary.
• Proven Experience with Deadline-Driven Reporting: The ability to consistently meet demanding reporting deadlines is a valuable asset. This demonstrates effective time management, prioritization skills, and the capacity to perform accurately under pressure, ensuring timely delivery of critical financial and operational information.

Essential Interpersonal Skills:

The nature of this role demands a robust set of interpersonal competencies to ensure effective collaboration and stakeholder engagement:

• Exceptional Communication Skills (Essential): This is a paramount requirement. The successful candidate must possess the ability to articulate thoughts and instructions with utmost clarity, both in written correspondence and verbal interactions. This includes:
  • Clear Written Instructions: Crafting concise, unambiguous, and easily understandable emails, reports, and documentation that leave no room for misinterpretation.
  • Clear Verbal Instructions: Delivering direct, coherent, and actionable guidance in meetings, one-on-one discussions, and team settings.
  • Understanding and Explaining Technical and Commercial Issues: The aptitude to fully grasp complex technical specifications and intricate commercial implications, and subsequently translate these into understandable terms for a diverse audience, including customers, internal teams, and external partners. This involves breaking down jargon and providing context to ensure everyone is aligned.
  • Strong Grasp of Procedures and Processes: A thorough understanding of established operational protocols and internal workflows is crucial, enabling the individual to adhere to guidelines, contribute to process improvements, and effectively navigate the organizational structure.
• Highly Responsible, Reliable, and Flexible with a Strong Work Ethic: These core attributes underpin a successful contribution to our team.
  • Highly Responsible: Taking ownership of tasks, commitments, and outcomes, demonstrating accountability for one’s actions and contributions.
  • Reliable: Consistently delivering on promises, meeting expectations, and being a dependable team member whom colleagues can trust. This includes punctuality and consistent performance.
  • Flexible: The ability to adapt to changing priorities, new challenges, and evolving work environments with a positive and proactive attitude. This adaptability ensures seamless transitions and continued productivity.
  • Strong Work Ethic: A deep-seated commitment to hard work, dedication, and striving for excellence in all professional endeavors. This translates into a proactive approach to problem-solving and a consistent drive to achieve goals.

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