Financial Manager

Hungry Lion; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 60 000 - 80 000; Full time

Job summary

A growing restaurant chain in Stellenbosch seeks a proactive Financial Manager to oversee the month-end process and guide a small team in financial operations. This role focuses on accurate reporting, compliance with tax regulations, and financial forecasting, contributing directly to the organization’s success. The ideal candidate will be a qualified accountant with leadership experience, ready to make an impact in a fast-paced environment offering ample growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• Several years PQE as a qualified accountant.
• Proven senior managerial experience leading a team for a minimum of three years.
• Experience with IFRS or IFRS for SMEs.

Responsibilities

• Manage the month-end process for all entities in the Group.
• Review monthly management accounts and perform ratio analyses.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory returns and tax submissions.

Skills

Excellent technical accounting skills

Advanced Excel skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Project management skills

Coaching and strong management skills

Education

Chartered accountant or similar internationally recognised qualification

Tools

ERP systems (e.g., SAGE X3)

Job description

THE OPPORTUNITY

Reporting to the Group Head of Corporate Finance, the Financial Manager will be responsible for the effective management of a small team to ensure the accurate and timely month‑end process for all entities in the Group (as allocated to the FM). This includes the preparation/review and submission of regulatory returns, VAT and tax calculations and the provision of financial information to business functions across the Group, enabling them to make budgeting and investment decisions.

This role is ideally suited to a proactive, hands‑on Financial Manager who is passionate about building and shaping a high‑performing finance function. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in a growing business, contributing in a dynamic environment and supporting the Group on a meaningful journey to expand and elevate the brand.

DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure the production of high‑quality financial outputs on time from the financial accounting team, including the following:
  • Bank reconciliations are performed monthly to ensure that the cash records are correct
  • Liaise with the accounts payable team to ensure that accruals and prepayments are booked correctly
  • Provide technical guidance to Group Accountants on complex accounting transactions or IFRS for SME calculations (i.e. lease smoothing)
• Review monthly management accounts, including the Income Statement and Balance Sheet, and perform ratio analyses to provide an accurate and insightful financial assessment
• Review the balance sheet reconciliations prepared by the Group Accountants and flag any unusual items
• Review and complete the VAT and Tax returns (including withholding tax, income tax, provisional tax and PAYE) for the relevant tax authority within the required deadlines
• Respond to ad‑hoc financial or tax queries (that is, tax audits) by gathering and interpreting data
• Review intergroup transactions and balances (including administration and management fees, franchise fees), ensuring appropriate identification, measurement and treatment of foreign currency exposures and exchange differences
• Assist with the treasury management function by preparing the necessary information for intergroup transfers between different group entities
• Prepare a rolling 12‑month cash flow forecast and compare the year‑to‑date actuals to the forecast
• Assist with preparing reports and compiling information for board meetings
• Prepare year‑end statutory financial statements and review those prepared by the team, including the preparation and review of consolidated financial statements
• Liaise with auditors and ensure the statutory financial statements are signed before the deadline
• Lead group finance projects and take responsibility for overseeing projects from start to finish
• Assist with documenting accounting procedures company‑wide and support system transitions aligned with business growth
• Lead reporting processes to achieve business objectives
• Approve bank and foreign exchange payments
• Assist with maintaining statutory compliance and governance
• Assist in the preparation and coordination of the annual budgeting process
• Ensure the team understands and adheres to all financial and accounting regulations and legislation
• Provide on‑the‑job training and support to team members

REQUIREMENTS

Essential

• Charted accountant, qualified accountant (SAICA, SAIPA, CIMA, ACCA) or similar internationally recognised qualification with several years PQE
• Proven senior managerial experience leading and managing a team of at least three members for a minimum of three years
• Previous IFRS or IFRS for SMEs experience
• Experience in managing, developing and motivating a team
• Experience in managing projects
• Good knowledge of different jurisdictional tax requirements
• Experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAGE X3) and reporting automation

Desirable

• Experience of taxation (exposure to international taxation is advantageous)
• QSR experience
• Exposure to multinational entities within a group reporting environment
• Availability to travel internationally every quarter

COMPETENCIES

• Excellent technical accounting skills
• Coaching and strong management skills
• Advanced Excel skills (experience with artificial intelligence tools will be advantageous)
• High attention to detail and an organised, logical approach are essential
• Proactive and solutions‑oriented
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and to meet tight deadlines
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective working relationships and influence change
• Team player
• Good communication skills
• Project management skills

AN INTRODUCTION TO HUNGRY LION

Hungry Lion’s journey began with a single store in Stellenbosch, Cape Town, in 1997, with a simple vision: to serve great food with genuine warmth and energy. Over the years, that vision has grown into a powerful business with a strong and expanding footprint, with hundreds of restaurants across multiple African countries.

We’re growing fast and building for the future. Our ambitious expansion strategy is opening doors to new countries, new communities, and new possibilities for our teams. This means real career growth, exposure to a dynamic multinational business, and the chance to be part of a brand that’s making a powerful impact in the quick‑service restaurant (QSR) industry.

Our success is powered by people; passionate, driven individuals who bring energy, creativity, and excellence to everything they do. From our restaurant teams to our corporate leadership, every person plays a vital role in delivering exceptional service and growing our brand. Joining Hungry Lion means being part of a fast‑paced, dynamic, and supportive environment where your ideas, skills, and ambition can make a real impact.