Sayari Earth
Finance Manager (Full Time)
Details
- Deadline: 11 January 2026
- Region: Mossel Bay, Western Cape
- Type of employment: Full time
Job Description
Sayari Earth is seeking a strategic and experienced Financial Manager to lead our financial operations in a dynamic, project-driven environment. Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), you will establish and optimize a scalable financial control framework using tools like Xoro and Zoho Projects, while providing investor-grade reporting, cost visibility, and actionable insights. This role demands a forward-thinking leader who excels in financial modeling, budgeting, and forecasting to drive strategic decision-making in the carbon removals sector. This is a full‑time position.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Strategic Financial Planning and Modeling
- Develop and maintain advanced financial models for budgeting, forecasting, and scenario analysis, including 18–24 month cash runway projections incorporating project timelines, grant inflows, and revenue from carbon credit issuances.
- Provide strategic insights on margins, cash flow, liquidity, and resource utilization to support operational and executive decision‑making.
- Conduct sensitivity analyses for risks such as issuance delays, market price fluctuations, and project under‑delivery.
- Period Close & Compliance
- Own monthly/quarterly closes (target: Day 5–7 completion), ensuring reconciliations of project costs, deferred revenue, restricted funds, and carbon credit inventory.
- Ensure full compliance with IFRS, IAS, tax, statutory requirements, and carbon standards (e.g., Verra), including accurate capitalization vs. expense treatment for project costs. This experience will be advantageous.
- Project Lifecycle & Cost Management
- Implement and manage project registers, standardizing cost categorization and tracking unit economics (e.g., cost per credit).
- Allocate shared costs and monitor budget variances, triggering reviews for deviations >10 %.
- Lead the implementation of new accounting applications and systems to enable precise cost accounting by project, integrating tools like Xero with time‑tracking software (e.g., Clockify) and Zoho Projects for enhanced visibility and automation.
- Carbon Credit Inventory & Revenue Management
- Define and enforce policies for revenue recognition, inventory valuation, and forward offtake deposits under IFRS/IAS guidelines.
- Maintain detailed credit ledgers and provide monthly movement reports, modeling attrition and provisions.
- Cash, Funding & Liquidity Management
- Build integrated cash flow models, track restricted grants, and perform scenario‑based forecasting to mitigate financial risks.
- Governance, Risk, and Assurance
- Establish and maintain internal controls, risk monitoring (e.g., carbon integrity, non‑permanence), and policy suites.
- Coordinate external audits and ESG assessments, ensuring audit‑ready documentation for benefit‑sharing and community obligations.
- Reporting and Systems Enablement
- Produce integrated financial and impact reports for shareholders, partner stakeholders, investors, and grantors.
- Automate data processes using Xero, Clockify, Zoho Projects and custom registers to streamline reporting and decision support.
- Team Oversight and Development
- Provide oversight of administrative and finance staff, ensuring efficient team operations and alignment with organizational goals.
- Ensure ongoing training and development for admin and finance team members to enhance skills, compliance, and performance.
- Manage staff performance, including setting objectives, conducting regular performance reviews, providing feedback, and implementing improvement plans to foster growth and accountability.
Essential Qualifications and Requirements
- Chartered Accountant (CA) qualification or equivalent (e.g., CPA, ACCA, CIMA) with full membership in a recognized professional body.
- In‑depth knowledge of IFRS and IAS, with proven experience applying these standards in project‑based or grant‑funded environments.
- Demonstrated expertise in financial modeling, budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning, ideally in environmental, carbon, or sustainability sectors.
- Proven ability to implement and optimize accounting applications (e.g., Xero, ERP systems) for project‑specific cost accounting and automation.
- Strong analytical skills, with experience in cost management, revenue recognition, and risk assessment.
- Minimum 5 to 7 years of relevant experience in financial management or controllership roles.
- Proficiency in financial software (e.g., Xero, Clockify) and advanced Excel/modelling tools.
- Valid Police Clearance Certificate required upon offer.
- Ability to work full‑time in Mossel Bay and align with Sayari Earth’s mission.
Preferred
- Experience in carbon markets, sustainability projects, or non‑profit/grant‑funded organizations.
- Strong communication skills for stakeholder reporting and cross‑functional collaboration.
- Skills in group‑level account consolidations, including preparing consolidated financial statements for multiple entities or projects.
How to Apply
View the full job description and application instructions on the Vacancies page at www.actionappointments.co.za/vacancies and email your application (completed AA bio form, one‑page motivation letter and updated CV [all in MS Word format]) to Sunday 11th January 2026 to tracy@actionappointments.co.za.