Financial Controller

Red & Yellow Creative School of Business; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Red & Yellow Creative School of Business, based in Cape Town, seeks a Financial Controller to run accounting and financial activities. You will ensure accurate records, proper student billing, timely invoices, and reliable information for decision-making.

You will collaborate with the Finance team, Head of Finance, and leadership to strengthen financial governance. The role involves month-end close, asset management, budgeting, forecasting, and compliance with tax laws.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3–5 years of accounting experience, preferably in the education sector.
• Experience with Sage/Pastel and Salesforce is a plus.
• Strong analytical and ledger management capabilities.
• Ability to lead a finance team and coordinate with departments.

Responsibilities

• Assist in month-end closing processes and financial reporting.
• Perform monthly reconciliations of bank and loan accounts.
• Maintain Fixed Asset Register with complete records.
• Prepare journals, accruals, provisions, and reclassifications.
• Ensure revenue recognition complies with policies and assist with revenue reporting.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual management accounts.
• Assist with annual financial statements and audit files.
• Assist with budgeting and forecasting processes and monitor variances.
• Prepare and file VAT and other tax returns.

Skills

Data analysis

Problem solving

Leadership

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance

Articles completed or professional designation advantageous

Tools

Sage/Pastel

Salesforce

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Red & Yellow Creative School of Business is South Africa’s leading authority in marketing, communication and design education. We have the mission to unlock creative thinking, to build brilliant careers and organizations using Commercial Logic and Creative Magic. Our mandate, as educators, is to prepare students for career success in the future, not the past. This single-minded purpose is why we exist, and what continues to drive and inspire us 30+ years later.

We are looking for talented people who are fun, dynamic and passionate about all things education and that enjoy working with people – students, lecturers and staff to join various teams across our fast-growing company.

Job Summary

This candidate would be someone with strong data analysis skills, problem solving skills and solutions orientated who will be responsible for running the accounting and financial activities of the company. The successful candidate will ensure that the institution’s financial records are accurate, student accounts are properly maintained, invoices and statements are issued timeously, payments are allocated correctly, and management receives reliable financial information for decision-making.

The Financial Controller will work closely with the Finance Administrators, Head of Finance, Managing Director, Academic Administration and Student Support, and leadership to ensure strong financial governance, accurate student billing, effective debt collection, and smooth financial operations.

Key Responsibilities and Duties:

This position will require, but is not limited, to the following activities:

Financial Management and Reporting

• Assist in the execution of month-end closing processes to ensure timely and accurate financial reporting, including balance sheet and income statement reviews
• Perform monthly reconciliations of bank and loan accounts to ensure accurate financial data and resolve discrepancies promptly
• Manage the full maintenance of the Fixed Asset Register including accurate recording and completeness.
• Prepare journals, accruals, provisions, and reclassification entries
• Ensure revenue recognition is accurate and aligned to institutional policies
• Assist in the extraction of weekly revenue reports, providing insights through analysis to support financial planning
• Assist in the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual management accounts
• Support the preparation of annual financial statements and audit files
• Assist with annual budgeting and periodic forecasting processes
• Track departmental expenditure against approved budgets
• Identify variances and provide recommendations for corrective action
• Monitor operational costs and support EBITDA improvement initiatives
• Prepare and file VAT and tax returns, ensuring full compliance with relevant tax laws and regulations

Student Accounts Management:

• Manage stages of students account on Salesforce to ensure accurate reflection of payment and student status
• Oversee and assist with student invoicing and student account management and collection
• Implement collection strategies to improve recoverability of fees
• Monitor student registrations against financial clearance requirements and ensuring compliance with financial obligations prior to graduation or examination results release
• Address financial enquiries from students, staff, and other stakeholders effectively and professionally

Procurement:

• Assist in recording and verifying procurement transactions, ensuring proper documentation and adherence to procurement policies
• Review supplier reconciliations and payment runs
• Monitor supplier age analysis and cash flow implications

Stakeholder Support and Communication:

• Supervise Finance team where applicable
• Build strong relationships with academic departments, admissions, operations, and executive management
• Help strengthen financial controls by following best practices and suggesting improvements where necessary
• Assist in improving finance and student accounts processes and controls
• Develop reports and dashboards for financial and student account monitoring
• Identify automation opportunities to improve efficiency and accuracy

Qualifications and Experience:

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
• Minimum 3-5 years of accounting experience, preferably in the education sector
• Completed articles or professional designation (SAIPA, CIMA, ACCA, etc.) advantageous
• Proficiency with accounting systems (Sage/Pastel); experience with Salesforce is advantageous
• Understanding of financial regulations, accounting principles, and tax laws
• Strong attention to detail and analytical skills
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to collaborate, influence and inspire a team
• High degree of accuracy and attention to detail
• Strong organizational, communication and time management skills
• Advanced usability in Office Applications especially Microsoft Excel
• Experience in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Business Intelligence (BI) is advantageous

Behavioural Competencies:

• Strong communication skills and the ability to lead, command, inspire and contribute to Red & Yellow’s vision
• Self-driven and motivated with excellent administrative and time management skills (deadline driven)
• Proven competency in driving collaborative academic-industry initiatives
• Ability to work as part of a team in a dynamic environment
• A positive problem-solver
• Attention to detail

We seek to employ creative people who:

• embody a growth mindset
• are passionate about learning
• are adaptable and resilient
• are Respectful, Curious and Accountable