Group Finance & Payroll Controller

Merchant West; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Merchant West Holdings seeks a senior financial professional to manage end-to-end accounting for designated group entities and provide strategic payroll oversight across the group. The role emphasizes collaboration with the CFO, group accountants, and auditors to ensure compliance and efficiency.

You will oversee month-end close, statutory returns, budgets, and maintain strong internal controls while driving process improvements across finance and payroll functions.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in a similar financial role.
• Experience in full-function financial accounting including annual financial statements.
• Strong knowledge of payroll legislation and statutory requirements.
• Experience with Sage 300 People HRIS & Payroll.

Responsibilities

• Lead full-function financial accounting for designated group entities from invoicing to annual statements.
• Perform day-to-day accounting: bank reconciliations, AP, AR, GL management.
• Ensure timely processing of supplier invoices and supporting docs.
• Prepare balance sheet reconciliations and monthly management accounts.
• Maintain general ledger integrity and accurate journal entries.
• Prepare annual financial statements per applicable standards and statutory returns.
• Oversee payroll end-to-end using Sage 300 HRIS; validate monthly payroll.
• Assist CFO with budgeting, ad hoc analysis, and year-end audits.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Attention to detail

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Independent worker

Stakeholder management

Time management

Organisational skills

Problem solving

Education

BCom degree with Finance/Accounting

Post degree qualification advantageous

Tools

Sage 300 People HRIS

Payroll systems

Job description

Merchant West Holdings seeks a senior financial professional to manage end-to-end accounting for designated group entities and provide strategic payroll oversight across the group. The role emphasizes collaboration with the CFO, group accountants, and auditors to ensure compliance and efficiency.

You will oversee month-end close, statutory returns, budgets, and maintain strong internal controls while driving process improvements across finance and payroll functions.