Chief Financial Officer

Lyceum College; Randburg; On-site; ZAR 5,000,000 - 8,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Lyceum College in Randburg is seeking a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to lead financial strategy, governance, and operational sustainability. Reporting to the CEO, you will drive budgeting, forecasting, risk management, and capital planning to support institutional growth.

The role requires CA(SA) or equivalent, 8–12 years in senior financial roles, and experience in regulated or higher education environments. This is an executive position with broad strategic influence.

Qualifications

• Qualified Chartered Accountant (CA(SA)) or equivalent.
• Postgraduate qualification in Finance, Accounting or MBA (advantageous).
• Minimum 8–12 years in senior financial leadership roles.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial strategy and executive leadership to steer growth.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial modelling.
• Drive governance, risk, and compliance across the institution.
• Manage cash flow, revenue, costs and performance reporting.
• Engage with stakeholders and external auditors for audits.
• Ensure alignment between financials and institutional objectives.

Skills

Financial modelling

Commercial acumen

Governance & compliance

Executive presence

Strategic thinking

Integrity & ethics

Education

CA(SA) or equivalent

Postgraduate Finance / MBA (advantageous)

Job description

Randburg, South Africa | Posted on 07/28/2026

Lyceum is the trusted choice for over a century of quality education in South Africa. Our unique approach combines accredited programmes with flexible distance learning, making it easier to balance your studies with your lifestyle.

With thousands of students empowered to achieve their goals, we provide an innovative platform for success.

Experience a learning environment that prioritises your growth and career advancement while giving you the freedom to learn on your terms.

Job Description

TheChief Financial Officer (CFO) serves as the 2IC to the CEO and is responsiblefor providing strategic financial leadership, operational oversight, andcommercial direction to Lyceum College. The role ensures long-term financialsustainability, strong governance, regulatory compliance, and effectiveoperational execution aligned with institutional strategy.

Reportingdirectly to the CEO, the CFO leads the organisation’s financial strategy,budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, risk governance, and operationalefficiency initiatives. The CFO plays a critical role in enabling strategicgrowth, strengthening internal controls, supporting regulatory readiness, andensuring that financial decision-making supports institutional performance andtransformation objectives.

Thisis a senior executive leadership role combining strategic oversight withoperational accountability, serving as a key advisor to the CEO and Exco.

Main Purpose of the Job:

Tolead and direct the financial strategy, operational governance, and commercialsustainability of the organisation, ensuring sound financial management, riskmitigation, regulatory compliance, and alignment between financial performanceand institutional objectives.

TheCFO is accountable for driving financial discipline, operational efficiency,revenue optimisation, cost control, and long-term financial planning, whileserving as the CEO’s primary financial and operational advisor.

Thefollowing are the primary areas of responsibility and their estimatedpercentage of time:

1. Financial Strategy & Executive Leadership (25%)

2. Financial Planning, Budgeting & Forecasting (20%)

3. Operational Oversight & Commercial Performance(20%)

4. Governance, Risk & Compliance (15%)

5. Cash Flow, Revenue & Cost Management (10%)

6. Stakeholder, Audit & Regulatory Engagement (10%)

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Financial Strategy & Executive Leadership (25%)

Act as2IC to the CEO, contributing to strategic direction, institutional growth, andoperational execution.

Developand implement long-term financial strategies aligned to institutional goals.

Providestrategic financial insight to support business expansion, programmedevelopment, and operational scalability.

Translatestrategic objectives into measurable financial targets and operational plans.

Participateactively in Exco, contributing to strategic, commercial, and governancediscussions.

Advisethe CEO on financial risk exposure, funding strategies, sustainabilitymodelling, and capital allocation decisions.

2. Financial Planning, Budgeting & Forecasting (20%)

Leadthe annual budgeting process across all departments.

Developrolling forecasts and scenario planning models.

Monitorbudget performance and implement corrective action where required.

Providedetailed financial analysis, variance reporting, and performance insights toExco.

Ensureaccurate financial modelling to support decision-making.

Establishfinancial performance dashboards and KPI tracking mechanisms.

3. Operational Oversight & Commercial Performance(20%)

Overseefinancial operations including Debtors, Creditors, Billing, and Revenuefunctions.

Ensurestrong internal financial controls and operational efficiency.

Driverevenue optimisation initiatives and improve collection strategies.

Strengthencost control mechanisms and margin improvement strategies.

Supportoperational departments in achieving financial and performance targets.

Oversee financial systems integration and continuous improvement initiatives.

Ensurealignment between operational processes and financial governance standards.

4. Governance, Risk & Compliance (15%)

Ensurecompliance with applicable legislation and regulatory requirements, including:

Tax legislation

Higher Education regulatory requirements

POPIA

Overseefinancial risk management frameworks and internal control environments.

Implementand monitor fraud prevention and financial risk mitigation strategies.

Ensuresegregation of duties and audit-ready financial processes.

Maintainfinancial governance frameworks and approval matrices.

5. Cash Flow, Revenue & Cost Management (10%)

Manageand monitor cash flow forecasts to ensure liquidity and operational stability.

Optimiseworking capital management and improve payment cycle efficiency.

Oversee revenue tracking and ensure alignment between enrolment, billing, and collections data.

Evaluatepricing strategies and fee structures to ensure competitiveness andsustainability.

Reviewcost structures regularly to identify efficiency opportunities and marginimprovements.

Providefinancial input into capital expenditure decisions and investment proposals.

6. Stakeholder, Audit & Regulatory Engagement (10%)

Leadengagement with external auditors and manage the full annual audit process.

Prepareand present financial reports to Exco and Board (where applicable), ensuringclarity and transparency.

Maintainrelationships with banking institutions and financial service providers.

Ensuretimely submission of statutory financial returns and tax obligations.

Act asauthorized financial signatory were delegated by the CEO.

Representthe institution in financial or regulatory discussions where required.

Requirements

Qualifications

QualifiedChartered Accountant (CA(SA)) or equivalent recognised professionalqualification (required).

Postgraduatequalification in Finance, Accounting, or Business Administration(advantageous).

Experience

Minimum8-12 years’ progressive experience in financial leadership roles, includingexecutive-level exposure.

Provenexperience in financial strategy development and operational financialoversight.

Strongbackground in budgeting, forecasting, financial modelling, and performancereporting.

Experiencein regulated or higher education environments advantageous.

Demonstratedability to lead financial governance, audits, and risk frameworks.

Skills and Competencies

Advancedfinancial modelling and analytical capability.

Strongcommercial acumen and strategic thinking ability.

Deepunderstanding of governance, compliance, and internal controls.

Executivepresence with strong stakeholder management skills.

Abilityto translate financial data into strategic and operational insight.

Highethical standards and professional integrity.

Key Attributes

Strategicyet operationally grounded.

Decisiveand solutions oriented.

Financiallydisciplined and detail focused.