Finance Manager

Ubuntu RM; Durban; On-site; ZAR 800,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Ubuntu RM is seeking a Finance Manager to lead the organisation's financial, accounting and administrative functions across its entities. You will safeguard financial integrity, drive month-end, VAT compliance and robust controls while supporting management with timely reporting.

The role covers accounts payable/receivable, inventory costing, payroll inputs and commercial support for tenders and contracts. You will mentor staff and ensure processes align with statutory requirements.

Qualifications

• Minimum accounting/finance degree or diploma with VAT and management reporting experience.
• Experience in a finance, accounting or senior bookkeeping role with month-end reporting.
• Practical experience with Sage or similar accounting systems and strong spreadsheet skills.

Responsibilities

• Maintain complete and accurate accounting records; process cashbooks, journals, loan accounts and foreign currency accounts.
• Review supplier transactions and payment schedules; manage month-end supplier payments.
• Monitor age analyses and process invoices and credit notes; support collections.
• Complete month-end journals and reconciliations; prepare management reports.
• Ensure VAT compliance and respond to audit queries; maintain audit-ready documentation.
• Maintain bills of materials and costing; support stock takes and job costing.
• Prepare payroll inputs and ensure accuracy and timeliness of payroll submissions.
• Provide finance support to management, tenders and contracts; train staff on Sage.

Skills

Financial accounting

Month-end reporting

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Excel spreadsheets

Internal controls

Education

Accounting/Finance degree or diploma

Professional designation advantageous

Tools

Sage accounting system

Microsoft Excel

Job description

1. Position Purpose

The Finance Manager is responsible for the accurate, timely and compliant management of the organisation’s financial, accounting and related administrative activities across the applicable companies. The role safeguards financial integrity, supports sound commercial decision-making, maintains effective financial controls, oversees transactional and month-end processes, and provides responsive support to management and operational teams.

2. Key Responsibilities

• Financial accounting and bookkeeping: Maintain complete and accurate accounting records; process cashbooks, journals, loan accounts, finance agreements, credit cards, petty cash and foreign currency accounts; reconcile balances; and investigate discrepancies.
• Accounts payable and banking: Review supplier transactions and payment schedules, load authorised payments, manage month-end supplier payments, and maintain appropriate supporting documentation and controls.
• Accounts receivable and revenue: Monitor age analyses, investigate receipts, support collections, verify customer and representative allocations, review job cards and proof-of-delivery documentation, process invoices and credit notes, and ensure invoiced work is correctly closed or remains accurately reflected as active.
• Month-end and reporting: Complete month-end journals and reconciliations, compare general ledger accounts to the trial balance, prepare sales and management reports, analyse expenses, investigate unusual movements, and provide accurate ad hoc reporting to management.
• Tax, audit and statutory support: Ensure transactions are captured for VAT purposes, review VAT reports, respond to accountant queries, provide supporting records, assist with year-end journals, and maintain audit-ready documentation.
• Inventory, manufacturing and costing: Maintain bills of materials and manufacturing processes in Sage; process inventory journals and transfers; review work in progress, inventory and labour costing; support stock takes; investigate variances; and prepare costing information for local and imported jobs.
• Payroll and people administration: Prepare wage, salary and commission schedules; calculate overtime; maintain leave and sick-leave records; and ensure payroll inputs are accurate, authorised and submitted on time.
• Commercial and operational support: Assist management, sales representatives, administration and warehouse teams with finance-related queries; support tenders, contracts, vendor forms, credit applications, trade references, pricing and government contract requirements.
• Controls, systems and continuous improvement: Implement and monitor finance, administration and warehouse policies and procedures; investigate system or data imbalances; work with service providers to resolve discrepancies; and train staff on Sage where required.
• Compliance and records: Maintain orderly financial records, protect confidential information, support health and safety file compilation, and comply with internal approval limits, delegated authority and applicable legislation.

3. Authority and Accountability

The Finance Manager is accountable for the quality, completeness and timeliness of financial information and may review, query and return unsupported or incorrectly coded transactions. Banking releases, contractual commitments, write-offs, credit limits and other transactions remain subject to the employer’s delegated authority and approval framework. The role must promptly escape material errors, control failures, suspected fraud, cash-flow risks and compliance concerns to management.

4. Minimum Requirements

• Relevant diploma or degree in accounting, finance, bookkeeping or a related field; an appropriate professional designation is advantageous.
• Demonstrated experience in a finance, accounting or senior bookkeeping role, including month-end reporting, reconciliations, VAT and management reporting.
• Practical experience with Sage or a comparable accounting system and strong spreadsheet skills.
• Working knowledge of accounts payable, accounts receivable, inventory, job costing, payroll inputs, fixed assets and general ledger controls.
• Experience in a manufacturing, distribution, project or multi-company environment is advantageous.
• Ability to handle online banking and confidential information in accordance with approved controls and segregation-of-duties requirements.

5. Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

• High level of accuracy, numerical aptitude and attention to detail.
• Strong analytical, reconciliation, investigation and problem-solving capability.
• Sound understanding of accounting principles, internal controls and financial reporting.
• Ability to prioritise competing deadlines and deliver reliably during weekly, month-end and year-end cycles.
• Clear written and verbal communication, with the confidence to resolve queries across departments and with external parties.
• Professional judgement, integrity, discretion and a commitment to confidentiality.
• Commercial awareness, service orientation and a practical approach to process improvement.
• Ability to coach colleagues and promote consistent use of financial systems and procedures.

6. Key Performance Indicators

• Accuracy and completeness of accounting records, reconciliations, costings and reports.
• On-time completion of banking, invoicing, payment, payroll-input, VAT, month-end and year-end activities.
• Timely resolution and escalation of aged balances, stock variances, job-costing issues and system discrepancies.
• Quality of management information and responsiveness to operational and management queries.
• Compliance with authorisation controls, recordkeeping requirements, policies and applicable legislation.
• Effectiveness of process improvements, staff support and Sage training.

7. General Conditions

The Finance Manager may be required to perform reasonable additional duties consistent with the level and purpose of the role. Duties may be reviewed as operational requirements, systems, structures or legislation change. The detailed task list in Addendum A forms part of this job description and should be read together with the employer’s policies, procedures, delegated authority framework and employment agreement.