Financial Controller

Red & Yellow Creative School of Business; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Red & Yellow Creative School of Business in South Africa seeks a Financial Controller to manage accounting and financial activities, ensure accurate records, timely invoicing, and reliable financial information for decision-making. The role collaborates with Finance Administrators, Head of Finance, MD and leadership.

You will drive month-end close, revenue recognition, budgeting, audits, student accounts in Salesforce, and KPI dashboards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 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); Salesforce experience advantageous.
• Strong attention to detail and analytical skills.
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to collaborate and inspire a team.
• Advanced Excel skills.
• Ability to work as part of a team in a dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist in month-end closing processes and financial reporting.
• Monthly bank and loan reconciliations.
• Maintain Fixed Asset Register with accurate records.
• Prepare journals, accruals, provisions and reclassifications.
• Ensure revenue recognition aligns with policies.
• Extract weekly revenue reports and provide insights.
• Assist with management accounts and annual financial statements.
• Support budgeting and forecasting processes.
• Assist audit files and financial statements.
• Develop reports/dashboards for financial and student accounts; identify automation opportunities.
• Oversee student accounts, invoicing, and collections.

Skills

Data analysis

Problem solving

Leadership

Communication

Time management

Excel

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance

SAIPA/CIMA/ACCA designation advantageous

Tools

Sage Pastel

Salesforce

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
• 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
• 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