Chief Financial Officer

Purpose of Role:

The CFO is positioned as the strategic partner and advisor to the CEO and Board to support the sustainable operations of the group. The CFO is responsible for all operational matters as they relate to finance, risk and budget management, tax, audit, cost benefit analysis, financial compliance, treasury and cashflow management, and the securing and management of new funding and or capital raising strategies. The CFO is responsible for overseeing the efficiency and quality of systems and processes.

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Responsibilities:

Strategic and Operational Plans Management

• Work in partnership with the CEO and ExCo on the strategic vision of the group.
• Take full responsibility for the overall control of the group’s finance and accounting function.
• Contribute to the development of the group plan and strategy across all areas of the business, challenging assumptions and decision-making as appropriate and providing financial analysis and guidance on all activities, plans, targets and business drivers.
• Provide input and guidance to the business with regard to Finance, Risk, Compliance, Accounting.
• Provide strategic direction in respect of financial management and participate in the strategic planning processes of the group.
• Exchange control management.
• Work with relevant leaders to grow the business, formulating strategies and plans.
• Optimise the group’s brand position, financial performance and strategic position.
• Ensure that budget processes are aligned to strategic planning processes and performance outputs.
• Provide timely and accurate flow of financial and other operational information necessary for strategic decision making.
• Evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls, governance and risk management of all business processes.
• Ensure that group controls around systems and processes are robust, compliant and support current activities and future growth.
• Ensure there is full compliance by business units with relevant financial legislation, policies and guidelines.
• Approve and implement delegations of authority that are compliant with the applicable group framework and requirements

Board, Shareholders and Investors

• Prepare and present the Annual Financial Statements to the Board of Directors and Shareholders.
• Establish a high level of credibility and manage strong working relationships with external parties including investors, bodies and advisors.

Treasury Management

• To ensure compliance with the Treasury and Tax Regulations and other applicable legislation globally.
• Develop, manage, implement the organisation's funding strategies.
• Ensure the implementation of defined procedures for all forecasting, budgeting, investment and treasury functions.
• Use hedging to mitigate financial risks related to the currency and interest rates on the company's cash flows and borrowings, as applicable and advise the EXCO team on the liquidity aspects of its short- and long-range planning.
• Ensure the accuracy and effectiveness of the organization’s billing programs and maintain all domestic and global banking relationships.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to maintain subsidiaries’ capital structures consistent with business, tax and regulatory requirements.
• Develop strategic finance initiatives (rating agency presentations, M&A and financing requirements) in partnership with key stakeholders.

Financial Management

• Develop, manage, implement and review Finance policies for input from relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure group budgeting processes are carried out, reviewed and signed off.
• Ensure the budget processes are aligned to strategic planning processes and performance outputs.
• Management of working capital including external funding.
• Advise business unit managers on budgeting, accounting, analysis, financial reporting, cash management, debt management and other duties as delegated by the CEO from time to time.
• Oversee the compilation of financial statements.
• Oversee debt collection initiatives in order to ensure that all income due is collected timeously.
• Authorise all expenditure and claims within delegated authority.
• Global Cost and market-based pricing analysis.
• Project, product, service and territorial investment analysis.
• Internal financial lead on all corporate transactions and co-ordination of all stakeholders.
• Liaise with auditors and co-ordinate external, interim and annual audits.
• Manage the year-end audit process with the various stakeholders.
• Ensure that the recommendations of internal and external audits are implemented and adhered to.
• Ensure proper disposing of surplus and/or underutilised assets as and when required.
• Take ultimate responsibility for the group’s cash flow management policies and ensure the establishment of systems, procedures and processes to ensure efficient and effective cash flow management.

Financial Reporting

• Lead and oversee effective reporting frameworks within the group.
• Prepare and facilitate the preparation of financial statements for presentation and submission to relevant stakeholders within stipulated timeframes and in accordance with prescribed norms and standards.
• Ensure that monthly expenditure reports are prepared and distributed to business unit managers.
• Ensure that budget projections, expenses and revenue forecasts are updated and that the CEO is timeously informed of possible unauthorised expenditure by comparing regular internal financial management reports against budget.
• Prepare Board report for inclusion in the Annual Financial Statements.
• Prepare financial report for inclusion in the Annual report of the group.

Management of Teams (Finance/Credit Control and Accounts Receivable) and other resources

• Ensure that performance agreements and development plans are developed and implemented for all staff within the Finance business unit.
• Management of Savings Team business unit
• Foster effective communication, collaboration and feedback within the business unit upholding appropriate standards of confidentiality.
• Lead by example and motivate team performance whilst adopting a leadership style aligned with the group’s business model, goals and values.

Requirements

Qualifications and Experience Criteria:

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and criteria:

• Minimum B.Compt Honours degree, CTA and qualified with a CA(SA) registered with SAICA or a Certified Chartered Accountant
• At least 10 years post articles experience
• At least 5 years’ experience cross-border experience (Africa and Middle East)
• Sound Treasury / Investment decision making, including financial risk mitigation experience.
• At least 5 years’ experience in a high entrepreneurial or high growth industry in a senior management position
• Experience working with Boards of Directors, Shareholders or future Investors.
• Supply chain finance capabilities, skills and experience.
• Mergers and acquisition skills and experience.
• Sound knowledge of financial and investment management strategies.

• At least 3 years’ experience as an ExCo member.

Skills and Mindset:

• Meets the requirement for a commercially astute, articulate, technically strong, dynamic, insightful and influential leader with the ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels.
• Advanced Excel ability and analytical skills
• Exceptional communication skills at all levels.
• Multicultural skills.
• Ability to collaborate – Proactively works in partnership with others to achieve a common goal or necessary objective; builds rapport and cooperative relationship with others; establishes and maintains strong relations with relevant stakeholders.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality – Makes effective business decisions regarding with whom to discuss sensitive and confidential information. Respects the privacy of others and maintains the confidentiality of information to which it is exposed. Consistently uses good business judgment, guided by the Ethics Policy.
• Ability to handle high levels of pressure and critical decision-making.
• High EQ level
• High integrity combined with commitment to good governance.
• Energetic, highly motivated, with an enquiring mind and passion for excellence and innovation in pursuit of business growth and success.
• Strategic Vision and Agility - ability to think strategically, anticipate future consequences and trends, and incorporate them into the organizational plan.

Qualities:

• Excellence: A track record of high expectations personally and professionally.

Values:

• Integrity
• Trust
• Courage
• Excellence
• Innovation
• People

Requirements:

• Must preferably be based in Johannesburg, South Africa.
• Willing to travel in the Africa and Middle East Regions.
• Directly and Indirectly manage a team of more than 15 Financial Professionals.