Financial Controller

Role Purpose

The Financial Controller supports the Shared Services Manager and Finance Manager by ensuring accurate month-end reporting, reliable reconciliations, and strong performance tracking across Shared Services functions. The role enhances financial accuracy, improves visibility across AR, AP, Payroll, Master Data and Admin activities, and supports automation and process improvements to ensure consistency in month-end close.

The role also contributes to policy and SOP development, ensures audit readiness for Shared Services accounts, and provides financial analysis for the monthly performance decks and strategic improvement projects.

Key Responsibilities

Month-End Close, Reporting & Performance

• Coordinate the Shared Services month-end close and ensure timely, accurate reporting
• Prepare and review journals, reconciliations, schedules, and monthly financial outputs
• Analyse variances, identify drivers, and recommend corrective actions
• Produce the Shared Services monthly performance deck with KPIs, backlog trends, and insights
• Improve reporting visibility across AR, AP, and Admin functions

Reconciliations & Transactional Accuracy

• Review and sign off key reconciliations, ensuring reconciling items are cleared timeously
• Monitor AR/AP, payroll, and admin transactional accuracy and escalate recurring issues
• Identify control and process gaps and work with functional owners to resolve them

Budgeting, Forecasting & Cost Tracking

• Support annual budgets and quarterly forecasts for Shared Services cost centres.
• Track spend vs budget, identify risks/opportunities, and provide cost-driver analysis.
• Assist functional managers in interpreting Shared Services costs and run-rate impacts.

Systems, Automation & Process Improvement

• Support automation and workflow optimisation across Shared Services processes
• Standardise reconciliations, templates, and data integrity checks

Policies, SOPs & Standardisation

• Assist with drafting and maintaining SOPs, process maps, and templates
• Reinforce consistent application of finance policies within Shared Services
• Provide training and support to embed accuracy, compliance, and continuous improvement

Strategic & Ad-Hoc Projects

• Support cross-functional projects focusing on efficiency, automation, stabilisation.
• Provide financial insight for operational and cost-optimisation initiatives.
• Collaborate with HR, Procurement, IT, and Finance on shared improvement efforts.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in finance, Accounting, or Business
• CIMA/CA(SA)/ACCA advantageous
• 3–5 years' experience in finance or accounting; Shared Services experience preferred
• Strong month-end reporting and reconciliation background
• Solid understanding of AR/AP processes
• Proficiency in ERP systems (Syspro, SAP, or similar)
• Advanced Excel skills; BI tools advantageous
• Strong analytical, communication, and cross-team collaboration skills

Key Competencies

• Month-end mastery and accuracy
• Reconciliation expertise
• Analytical problem-solving
• Process improvement orientation
• Strong stakeholder communication
• Attention to detail and accountability
• Ability to work in a multi-entity environment
• Performance tracking and reporting capability

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Timeliness and accuracy of month-end close
• Quality of reconciliations and supporting schedules
• Reduction in recurring errors and reconciling items
• Quality and insightfulness of the monthly Shared Services performance deck
• Budget and forecast accuracy
• Delivery and impact of automation/process improvements
• Stakeholder satisfaction across Shared Services

Working Conditions

• Office-based role with interaction across Finance, HR, Procurement, IT, and Operations
• Fast-paced environment requiring prioritisation, accuracy, and strong organisational skills

NB:Specific duties and responsibilities may vary from time to time. The above list indicates the general nature of the position and is not exhaustive. The post holder is expected to be flexible in supporting the business by undertaking any other responsibilities aligned with this job level.