Financial Controller

Staff Solutions; Makhanda; On-site; ZAR 480,000 - 720,000; Full time

Job summary

Staff Solutions in Makhanda (South Africa) seeks an experienced Finance Manager to lead financial reporting, budgeting, and cash management for a luxury hospitality group.

Key duties include preparing monthly reports and reconciliations, driving IFRS compliance, supervising staff, and partnering with auditors.

The role requires a relevant degree, 3–5 years in hospitality finance, and advanced Excel with hotel systems proficiency.

Qualifications

• Education: Relevant Degree or Diploma in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Experience: 3–5 years of progressive finance experience with 1–2 years in a supervisory role within a star hotel or luxury hospitality environment.
• Systems: Proficiency in hotel financial management systems (Sage 300/Accpac, Protel, Opera PMS, Micros POS, Materials Control) and online banking platforms.
• Excel Skills: Advanced MS Excel for data analysis and reconciliations.
• Knowledge: IFRS, SA VAT legislation, and hotel industry regulations.

Responsibilities

• Prepare accurate, timely monthly reports and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Provide analysis of financial data to inform strategic decisions, identifying trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Assist budgeting and forecasting with department heads and shareholders.
• Manage daily cash usage and liquidity; load payments for authorization.
• Prepare VAT reconciliations and ensure SA tax compliance.
• Reconcile balance sheet accounts monthly and process journal entries.
• Lead and develop the Finance and operations team with integrity.

Skills

Financial reporting

Budgeting

Forecasting

Cash management

Reconciliations

Journal entries

Leadership

Education

Relevant Degree or Diploma in Accounting or Finance

Tools

Sage 300/Accpac

Protel

Opera PMS

Micros POS

Materials Control

Job description

Key Responsibilities

1. Financial Reporting & Analysis

• Prepare accurate and timely monthly reports and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Provide insightful analysis of financial data to inform strategic decision-making, identifying trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Prepare reports, ensuring variances against budget are investigated and explained to the Finance Manager and General Manager.

2. Budgeting & Forecasting

• Assist the Finance Manager in leading the annual budgeting process and periodic re-forecasting in collaboration with department heads and shareholders.
• Monitor financial performance against approved budgets, providing detailed variance analysis and recommending corrective actions.

3. Cash Management & Banking (Hands-On)

• Manage daily cash usage and liquidity by executing daily transfers to/from the Call Account to optimize interest earnings.
• Prepare and load all payments (creditors, salaries, and ad-hoc disbursements) on the banking platform for authorization.
• Compile and submit the daily deposit schedule to the Central Reservations Office to ensure accurate allocation of advance payments and deposits.
• Send weekly bank statements to the Group CFO for group-level oversight.

4. Reconciliations, Journals & Statutory Compliance

• Reconcile various Balance Sheet accounts (including bank accounts, accruals, prepayments, and inter-company loans) monthly, resolving discrepancies timeously.
• Prepare and enter monthly Journal Entries (accruals, provisions, depreciation, and reclasses) into the general ledger.
• Prepare, process, and reconcile group and intercompany transactions, ensuring all cross-entity balances are accurately recorded, settled timeously, and fully reconciled monthly.
• Prepare and submit VAT reconciliations (Input/Output) for monthly/bi-monthly SARS submissions, ensuring full compliance with South African tax legislation.
• Ensure full compliance with South African tax legislation (VAT, PAYE), statutory reporting requirements, and relevant labour regulations.
• Liaise with external auditors, local authorities, and government authorities as needed.

5. Accounts Payable, Receivable & Cost Control

• Keep a constant eye on Accounts Payable (AP) age analyses, flagging overdue accounts and high‑risk balances to the Finance Manager.
• Prepare and remit various monthly invoices and proactively follow up on payment thereof.
• Supervise the Accounts Payables Clerk, ensuring they are diligently chasing outstanding debt and managing the guest ledger.
• Monitor departmental expenses and implement cost-saving initiatives without compromising service standards.
• Oversee stock control, purchasing controls, and cost management across all revenue-generating and support departments.

6. Operational & Administrative Controls

• Send out weekly exchange rates to all departments (Lodges, Reservations etc,) to ensure rate cards and POS systems are updated for international guests.
• Establish, maintain, and continuously improve robust internal control procedures across all departments.

7. Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop the Finance and operations team.
• Foster a culture of accountability, integrity, and continuous improvement.
• Provide financial coaching and guidance to senior managers to enhance their financial literacy and accountability.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• Education: Relevant Degree or Diploma in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum 3–5 years of progressive finance experience, with at least 1–2 years in a supervisory role within a star hotel or luxury hospitality environment.
• Systems: Advanced proficiency in hotel financial management systems (e.g., Sage 300/Accpac, Protel, Opera PMS, Micros POS, Materials Control) and online banking platforms.
• Excel Skills: Advanced MS Excel skills for data analysis and reconciliations.
• Knowledge: Good understanding of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), South African VAT legislation, and hotel

Personal Attributes

• Meticulous: Zero-tolerance for errors in reconciliations, payment loading, and reporting.
• Initiative-taking: A "hands-on," 'can-do' attitude with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment; actively hunts for missing invoices and follows up on outstanding payments.
• Leadership: Strong ability to influence, coach, and inspire cross-functional teams while supervising junior staff.
• Integrity: Unwavering commitment to confidentiality and ethical financial management.