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. The role requires hands-on management of debtors, cash flow, and controls, interfacing with Sales, Marketing and Operations to drive growth.

The ideal candidate will have a BCom/ Diploma in finance, 5+ years in financial management, and strong ERP (Sage Evolution) and Excel skills. Relocation to Gqeberha within 30 days is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelors/ diploma in accounting or finance with at least 5 years in financial management or control.
• Hands-on AR, debtors and credit-control with a large ledger experience (R2m+).
• Proven debt-collection processes and reducing DSO preferable (<45 days).
• Experience preparing debtor ageing and cash-flow reports for management.
• Experience managing credit limits, month-end closing and reconciliations.
• 3+ years with Sage Evolution; Pastel beneficial; strong Excel and finance systems skills.
• Experience automating debtor reminders, dashboards, and internal controls.
• Leadership of finance/admin staff and engagement with non-finance teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage complete accounts receivable and enforce debt-collection policies.
• Collaborate with Sales to resolve payment delays and credit issues.
• Prepare weekly debtor reports and cash-flow forecasts for management.
• Automate financial processes, reminders, and dashboards.
• Lead ERP enhancements and ensure auditable financial data.
• Oversee month-end closing and reconciliations across debtor and cash accounts.
• Maintain governance and compliance with approved processes.
• Mentor junior finance staff and drive team performance.
• Support cross-functional teams to improve payment practices and compliance.
• Assist with inventory reconciliation and stock reporting as needed.

Skills

Debtors management

Cash-flow forecasting

ERP systems (Sage Evolution)

Advanced Excel

Team leadership

Automation & dashboards

Education

BCom in Accounting or Finance

Diploma in Financial Management

Tools

Pastel

Sage Evolution

Excel

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.