Finance Manager

Craven Cottage CC; Somerset West; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Job summary

Craven Cottage CC in the Western Cape region is seeking a Finance Manager to lead the financial strategy and reporting for the hospitality operation. You will manage monthly accounts, budgeting, forecasting and cash flow, while overseeing accounts payable, payroll, and month-end processes to ensure accuracy and timely reporting.

The role requires strong Excel skills, experience with hotel industry accounting systems, and high integrity in handling confidential information.

Qualifications

• Finance qualification and relevant accounting experience.
• Experience as Finance Manager or similar role.
• Hospitality industry experience preferred.
• Strong Excel skills and accounting systems knowledge.
• Ability to meet deadlines with high integrity.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and process month-end journals including accruals, prepayments and depreciation.
• Review financial performance against budget, forecast and prior year with variance commentary.
• Oversee creditors, cashbook, petty cash and supplier payments.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting and cash flow planning.
• Ensure VAT submissions, audits and fixed asset records are maintained.

Skills

Financial reporting

Variance analysis

Budgeting

Cash flow management

Payroll review

Month-end close

Education

Finance qualification

Tools

Pastel

Xero

ProtelAir

Opera

Lightspeed

Micros

ChiDesk

Job description

Duties

Financial Management & Reporting

• Prepare, review and submit monthly management accounts and financial reports within agreed deadlines
• Monitor revenue, expenses, departmental performance, profitability and key financial results
• Review financial performance against budget, forecast and prior year, and provide meaningful variance analysis and commentary
• Ensure that all financial records are accurate, complete, properly supported and processed in the correct accounting period
• Maintain strong financial controls across all areas of the finance function

Accounts Payable, Cashbook & Petty Cash Oversight

• Oversee the daily processing, reconciliation and timeous payment of creditors
• Review supplier reconciliations, payment batches and supporting documentation before approval
• Oversee weekly electronic supplier payments
• Monitor creditor balances and supplier payment terms in line with cash flow requirements
• Oversee cashbook processing, bank reconciliations and petty cash controls

Debtors & Payroll Review

• Oversee debtor collections and monitor outstanding accounts
• Review debtor age analyses and assist with overdue account follow-up
• Review payroll information prior to final processing, including salary journals, deductions, overtime, leave pay and payroll allocations
• Ensure payroll-related transactions are accurately recorded and allocated

Month-End, Journals & Reconciliations

• Prepare and process month-end journals including accruals, prepayments, provisions, salary journals, stock journals and depreciation
• Review general ledger accounts and ensure month-end reconciliations are completed accurately and on time
• Investigate unusual variances or incorrect allocations

Stock, Cost Control & Revenue Oversight

• Monitor stock movement, cost of sales and stock variances across relevant departments
• Prepare monthly stock and trading summaries and distribute relevant reports within deadlines
• Support Heads of Departments with cost control, stock losses and gross profit improvement
• Review weekly revenue reporting and ensure revenue is accurately recorded and reconciled between operating systems and accounting records

Budgets, Forecasting & Cash Flow

• Lead and coordinate the annual budgeting process in conjunction with the Hotel Director and Heads of Departments
• Consolidate departmental budgets into the overall hotel budget and provide financial analysis and commentary
• Monitor actual results against budget and highlight risks, overspending and underperformance
• Manage cash flow requirements and support financial forecasting and planning
• Assist Heads of Departments in understanding and managing their budgets effectively

Statutory Compliance, Audit & Fixed Assets

• Ensure VAT and statutory submissions are completed accurately and timeously
• Manage year-end audit preparation, including audit schedules, reconciliations, and supporting documentation
• Maintain and review the fixed asset register and ensure capital expenditure is properly approved and recorded
• Ensure compliance with company policies, internal controls and relevant legislation

Operational & Departmental Support

• Work closely with operational departments including Front Office, Reservations, Food & Beverage, Kitchen, Housekeeping, Spa, Sales and Revenue Management
• Provide financial guidance on budgets, supplier accounts, stock, cost allocations, expenditure and profitability
• Identify financial risks, control weaknesses and opportunities for improvement
• Support the Hotel Director with financial and operational decision-making

Requirements

• Relevant finance, accounting or bookkeeping qualification
• Previous experience in a Finance Manager, Assistant Financial Manager, Management Accountant or similar finance role
• Hospitality industry experience is essential / highly advantageous, preferably within a hotel environment
• Strong experience in management accounts, budgeting, forecasting and cash flow management
• Good understanding of creditors, debtors, cashbook, reconciliations, payroll review, VAT, stock control and month-end processes
• Strong Excel skills and good general systems knowledge
• Knowledge of hotel and accounting systems such as ProtelAir, Opera, Lightspeed, Micros, Pastel, Xero, ChiDesk or similar will be advantageous
• Strong attention to detail, accuracy and ability to meet deadlines
• Ability to work effectively with both finance and non-finance team members
• High levels of integrity, professionalism and confidentiality