Head of Finance

Malander is seeking a highly skilled and strategically minded
Head of Finance / Senior Finance Manager (CA(SA))
to oversee the full finance function within a dynamic and complex environment. This role requires a technically strong finance leader with proven experience in financial management, reporting, technical accounting, compliance, and operational finance. The ideal candidate will be comfortable operating at a senior level, partnering with executives, managing teams, and driving financial performance across multiple business areas.

Hospitality and retail industry experience would be highly advantageous.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership and Executive Support

• Partner with the CFO, Regional Finance leadership, and executive teams to shape and execute financial strategy.
• Provide business insights, risk assessment, and strategic financial guidance to support operational and long-term decision-making.
• Lead group budgeting, forecasting, and performance monitoring processes.
• Track financial and operational KPIs, analyse variances, and recommend corrective and optimisation actions.

Financial Reporting and Management

• Oversee full financial accounting, monthly management reporting, reconciliations, and consolidations.
• Drive accurate month-end close, P&L and balance sheet review, and departmental reporting (e.g., Rooms, Spa, Retail, Winery where applicable).
• Manage cash flow, liquidity, and working capital forecasting.
• Review and ensure the accuracy of annual financial statements for the Group and subsidiaries.
• Maintain strong reporting controls aligned to CEO/CFO attestation requirements (JSE-related in retail context).

Technical Accounting and Compliance

• Lead all technical accounting matters, including the implementation of new accounting standards.
• Prepare and review accounting policies, disclosure frameworks, and technical note disclosures.
• Manage share scheme accounting, reconciliations, disclosures, tax inputs, and diluted share calculations.
• Ensure compliance with IFRS, tax legislation, statutory reporting, and company policies.
• Liaise with SARS, external auditors, and financial institutions, ensuring audit readiness and best-practice financial controls.

Operational Finance, Systems and Controls

• Strengthen internal controls across procurement, stock, cash handling, POS/PMS integrations, and financial systems.
• Oversee fixed asset registers, capex processes, and system-driven financial controls.
• Support operational teams through financial insights, profitability analysis, margin reviews, and cost optimisation opportunities.
• Oversee import finance processes (shipping, customs, FX exposure, duties) and merchandise accounts payable where applicable.

Team Leadership and Collaboration

• Lead, mentor, and develop finance teams, promoting high performance, accuracy, and accountability.
• Build cross-functional financial awareness and support non-financial managers with budgeting, controls, and reporting needs.
• Manage workload planning, performance management, and continuous improvement initiatives across the finance team.

Qualificationa and Experience:

Essential

• Registered CA(SA)
  .
• Minimum
  5–10 years post-articles experience
  , depending on seniority:
• At least
  3–4 years' experience
  in a senior finance or finance management role.
• At least
  5 years' post-articles
  experience managing a full finance function.
• At least
  10+ years post-articles
  experience for candidates with extensive technical accounting responsibilities (e.g., public listed or large group roles).
• Strong experience within:
• Financial management and leadership
• Technical accounting and IFRS
• Group reporting and consolidations
• Audit processes and stakeholder engagement
• Experience working in
  complex, multi-entity, or fast-paced environments
  .
• Proven ability to oversee or contribute to:
• Annual financial statements (Group and subsidiaries)
• Compliance, tax, statutory reporting
• Internal controls, risk management, and financial systems
• Advanced proficiency in
  Microsoft Excel
  .
• Experience with
  Sage
  (including Sage X3) and/or similar financial systems.

Advantageous

• Hospitality and retail industry experience
  , especially exposure to:
• Property management systems (PMS)
• Point of Sale systems (POS)
• Stock and cost control processes

Experience in:

• Credit retail
• Merchandise imports and shipping finance
• Share scheme accounting
• Funding arrangements, covenant compliance, and investor reporting