Financial Controller

Kontak Recruitment; Gqeberha; On-site; ZAR 609,000 - 730,000; Full time

Job summary

Kontak Recruitment is seeking a Financial Controller in Port Elizabeth to own the financial administration function within a fast-moving FMCG/distribution business. You will lead debtors management, cash-flow discipline, and robust financial controls while driving reporting and automation initiatives.

The role reports to the Managing Director and collaborates with Sales, Marketing and Operations to support sustainable growth.

Qualifications

• Relevant BCom in Accounting or Finance with at least five years’ financial management experience.
• Hands-on accounts receivable, debtors and credit-control experience with a high-volume ledger.
• Experience reducing debtor days and implementing formal collection procedures.
• Experience preparing weekly debtor-ageing and cash-flow reports for management.
• Experience managing customer credit limits, month-end close and reconciliations.
• At least three years’ Sage Evolution experience; Pastel experience is advantageous.
• Experience automating debtor reminders, dashboards and internal controls.

Responsibilities

• Manage the complete accounts receivable function and enforce debt-collection policies.
• Work with Sales to resolve payment delays and credit issues while managing credit limits.
• Prepare weekly debtor reports and cash-flow forecasts for management.
• Automate financial and administrative processes, including reminders and dashboards.
• Lead ERP implementations, improvements and system enhancements.
• Oversee month-end closing, internal controls and reconciliations.
• Mentor junior finance staff and collaborate with Sales, Marketing and Operations.

Skills

Debtors management

Cash-flow discipline

Financial controls

Reporting

Process automation

Sage Evolution

Pastel

Excel

Team leadership

ERP implementations

Education

BCom in Accounting/Finance

National Diploma in Financial Management

Tools

Pastel

Sage Evolution

ERP systems

Job description

Financial Controller job vacancy in Port Elizabeth.

A growing South African consumer products business operating within the fast-paced FMCG and distribution sector is seeking an experienced Financial Controller to take ownership of its financial administration function.

Reporting to the Managing Director, the successful candidate will play a key role within the management team, with particular responsibility for debtors management, cash-flow discipline, financial controls, reporting and process automation.

This is a hands‑on operational position requiring a commercially minded professional who can manage the numbers, improve systems and processes, guide the finance and administration team, and work closely with Sales, Marketing and Operations to support sustainable business growth.

Salary: R60 000 – per month, CTC.

Minimum Requirements:

• Relevant BCom in Accounting or Finance, National Diploma in Financial Management, or equivalent qualification, with at least five years’ financial management, financial control or senior financial administration experience.
• Hands‑on accounts receivable, debtors and credit‑control experience, including managing a substantial, high‑volume ledger; exposure to a monthly debtor book of R2 million or more and 100+ active accounts is advantageous.
• Proven experience implementing formal debt‑collection procedures and reducing debtor days through process or system improvements; maintaining DSO below 45 days is advantageous.
• Experience preparing weekly debtor‑ageing and cash‑flow reports or forecasts for senior management.
• Experience managing customer credit limits, applications and approvals, as well as month‑end closing and debtor and cash‑account reconciliations.
• At least three years’ Sage Evolution experience, with advanced Microsoft Excel and financial‑systems proficiency; Pastel experience is advantageous.
• Experience implementing automated debtor‑reminder and collection workflows, financial dashboards, reporting tools, internal controls and improved financial‑administration processes.
• Experience managing or mentoring finance or administration employees; oversight of two or more employees and experience managing underperformance and disciplinary processes are advantageous.
• Proven ability to work with Sales, Marketing and Operations leadership and influence non‑finance teams regarding payments, credit control and financial compliance.
• Strong attention to detail, accuracy, commercial awareness and operational discipline, with the ability to operate where finance and operations overlap.
• FMCG, distribution or high‑transaction‑volume experience is advantageous.
• ERP implementation or system‑improvement experience, use of AI or automation tools, and exposure to inventory reconciliation and stock reporting are advantageous.
• Must be based in Gqeberha or willing to relocate and assume the position within 30 days of appointment.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage the complete accounts receivable function, enforce debt‑collection policies, monitor debtor ageing and DSO, and reduce overdue debt within the 60- and 90-day categories.
• Work with Sales to resolve payment delays, disputes and credit issues, while managing customer credit limits, applications and approvals.
• Prepare weekly debtor reports and cash‑flow forecasts for management.
• Automate financial and administrative processes, including debtor reminders, collections workflows, dashboards and reporting tools.
• Ensure financial systems provide accurate, efficient and auditable data, and lead or support ERP implementations, improvements and system enhancements.
• Oversee financial administration, internal controls, debtor and cash‑account reconciliations, and month‑end closing processes.
• Maintain financial governance and ensure compliance with approved business processes.
• Manage or mentor junior finance and administration employees and support improved team performance.
• Partner with Sales, Marketing and Operations to embed financial discipline and improve payment practices and compliance among non‑finance teams.
• Assist with inventory reconciliation and stock reporting as required.
• Provide broader operational support in line with changing business priorities.
• Achieve agreed targets for debtor days, collection efficiency, reporting accuracy, process automation, overdue‑debt reduction and timely cross‑functional delivery.