Chief Financial Accountant

Craven Cottage CC; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Craven Cottage CC in Pretoria seeks a seasoned financial leader to head the hotel's finance function, overseeing planning, reporting, budgeting, forecasting and treasury. You will deliver timely management reports to ownership and the executive team, drive profitability through rigorous financial controls, and partner with operations to support strategic business decisions.

Experience in hospitality and SAP/Opera systems is highly valued, with a proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and

Qualifications

• Degree in Finance, Accounting or related field.
• Professional accounting qualification (CA(SA)/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent).
• Experience leading a large finance function in hospitality or related industry.

Responsibilities

• Lead the hotel’s finance function including planning, budgeting, forecasting and treasury.
• Provide financial analysis and commercial recommendations to senior leadership.
• Deliver accurate management reporting to ownership and executives.
• Oversee VAT, PAYE, tax compliance and statutory reconciliations.
• Drive profitability through cost control and revenue analysis.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting & Forecasting

Financial Reporting

Cash Flow Management

ERP/SAP/Opera

Tax & Regulatory knowledge

Stakeholder Management

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification in Finance/Accounting

CA(SA)/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent

Tools

SAP

Opera/OPERA Cloud

ERP systems

Job description

Duties:

• Financial Leadership & Planning:
  • Lead the hotel’s finance function and take responsibility for financial planning, reporting, budgeting, forecasting and treasury.
  • Prepare annual budgets, business plans, forecasts and long-term financial strategies.
  • Provide the Operations Manager and Executive Leadership Team with financial analysis and practical commercial recommendations.
  • Deliver accurate, timely management reporting to ownership and senior stakeholders.
• Financial Performance & Controls:
  • Review the general ledger, balance-sheet reconciliations and supporting schedules.
  • Monitor performance across Rooms, Food and Beverage, Events, Conference and Banqueting, Spa and other revenue-generating departments.
  • Ensure income and expenditure are allocated accurately using correct departmental coding.
  • Drive profitability through revenue analysis, cost optimisation and disciplined financial management.
  • Oversee cash flow, working capital, capital expenditure and financial risk.
  • Review supplier reconciliations, invoices, purchase orders, payments and supporting documentation.
• Compliance & Stakeholder Management:
  • Maintain robust internal controls, governance and compliance with applicable legislation and accounting standards.
  • Oversee VAT, PAYE and other statutory reconciliations and submissions.
  • Ensure compliance with SARS requirements and applicable tax legislation.
  • Manage relationships with auditors, bankers, insurers, tax advisers, hotel owners and other financial stakeholders.
• Team Leadership & Strategic Projects:
  • Lead, mentor and develop a sizeable finance department.
  • Set clear standards for performance, accountability and professionalism.
  • Contribute to Executive Committee decisions and broader business planning.
  • Support capital investments, renovations, acquisitions and other strategic initiatives.

Requirements:

• A relevant tertiary qualification in Finance, Accounting, Commerce or a related field.
• A professional accounting qualification such as CA(SA), ACCA, CIMA or equivalent.
• At least 8–10 years’ senior financial-management experience, preferably within hospitality, hotels, resorts or a related industry.
• Demonstrated experience managing a substantial finance function and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong knowledge of financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, cash-flow management and financial controls.
• Sound understanding of the South African tax and regulatory environment.
• Excellent commercial and analytical skills, with the ability to translate financial information into effective business decisions.
• Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder-management abilities.
• High levels of integrity, discretion and professional judgement.
• Experience with hotel finance systems, SAP, Opera/OPERA Cloud, accounting/ERP systems and financial reporting platforms would be advantageous.