Role: Finance Director
Location: Cape Town/ Port Elizabeth
Department: Finance
Job Purpose
The Finance Director (D1) will provide strategic and operational leadership to drive the financial performance and sustainability of a BPO organization in Cape Town. Reporting to the SVP of Finance for Sub-Saharan Africa, this role focuses on running the business efficiently, overseeing accounting operations, and ensuring robust taxation and statutory compliance. The Finance Director will align financial strategies with regional objectives, support global client delivery, and maintain Cape Town’s competitive edge as a leading BPO hub.
Key Responsibilities
Running the Business
- Drive financial performance by overseeing budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management to support operational efficiency and business growth.
- Collaborate with the SVP of Finance and operational leaders to align financial strategies with business objectives, including client contract profitability and service delivery.
- Monitor and optimize key performance indicators (KPIs) to enhance business performance, focusing on cost efficiency and revenue growth.
- Provide financial insights to support strategic decisions, such as pricing models, client SLAs, and expansion into new service lines or markets.
Accounting Oversight
- Oversee all accounting functions, including general ledger management, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, and financial reporting for South African operations.
- Ensure accurate and timely preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in compliance with IFRS and regional standards.
- Implement and maintain robust internal controls to safeguard assets and ensure financial integrity across business units.
- Supervise the integration of financial systems to streamline accounting processes and enhance scalability.
Taxation and Statutory Compliance
- Ensure full compliance with South African tax regulations (e.g., VAT, PAYE, Corporate Income Tax) and regional statutory requirements across Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Oversee tax planning, filing, and reporting, minimizing tax liabilities while ensuring adherence to SARS and other regulatory frameworks.
- Manage statutory audits and liaise with external auditors, tax authorities, and financial institutions to maintain compliance and governance.
Stay updated on changes in tax laws and compliance requirements, implementing processes to mitigate risks and ensure adherence.
Regional Financial Alignment
- Support the SVP of Finance in integrating Cape Town’s financial operations with Sub-Saharan Africa’s regional strategy.
- Provide regional financial reports and insights to ensure alignment with group-wide objectives and client expectations.
- Collaborate with regional finance teams to standardize processes and share best practices across Sub-Saharan Africa operations.
Cost Optimization and Client Support
- Drive cost-saving initiatives to maintain TP’s position as a cost-competitive BPO
- Analyze financial data to identify operational efficiencies, particularly in client delivery models and high-volume transactional processes.
- Support business development by providing financial modeling for client proposals, ensuring alignment with regional and global goals.
Team Leadership
- Lead and mentor a finance team in Cape Town, fostering a culture of accountability, compliance, and operational excellence.
- Oversee recruitment, training, and performance management to build a skilled team capable of handling accounting, taxation, and compliance demands.
- Ensure the team is equipped to support multi-regional financial processes and client-specific requirements.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as a key financial contact for clients, ensuring transparency in financial reporting and compliance with SLAs.
- Build relationships with local authorities (e.g., City of Cape Town, SARS) and industry bodies (e.g., BPESA, CapeBPO) to leverage incentives and ensure compliance.
- Report regularly to the SVP of Finance, providing actionable insights and updates on Cape Town’s financial performance.
Skills and Competencies
- Business Acumen: Strong understanding of financial drivers in the BPO sector, with the ability to run the business efficiently.
- Accounting Expertise: Deep knowledge of accounting principles, financial reporting, and internal controls.
- Taxation and Compliance: Expertise in South African tax laws, statutory compliance, and regional regulatory frameworks.
- Analytical Skills: Ability to analyze financial data and provide actionable insights for business and client decisions.
- Leadership: Proven ability to lead and develop a finance team, aligning with regional objectives.
- Communication: Excellent communication skills to engage with the SVP, clients, auditors, and regulatory bodies.
- Attention to Detail: Precision in managing complex accounting, taxation, and compliance processes.
- Technical skill: Proficient in Microsoft Excel, and accounting packages (D365)
Qualifications and Experience
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field (required).
- Chartered Accountant (CA) qualification or equivalent (e.g., CPA, ACCA) strongly preferred.
- Advanced certification in taxation or compliance (e.g., SAIT, Tax Practitioner registration) highly advantageous.
Experience:
- 8–10 years of finance experience, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role (e.g., Finance Director, Head of Finance) at a D1 or equivalent level.
- Proven experience in accounting oversight, taxation, and statutory compliance within the BPO, financial services, or outsourcing sectors.
- Strong track record of managing financial operations in a regional context, ideally within Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Experience with cloud-based accounting systems (e.g., Xero, Sage, QuickBooks) and financial process automation.
- Familiarity with BPO financial dynamics, such as contact centers or finance and accounting outsourcing (FAO).