Head of Finance

Cash Crusaders; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading second-hand retailer in South Africa is seeking a Head of Finance to lead a finance team across multiple divisions. This role requires extensive experience in operational finance management, payroll oversight, and strategic planning, ideally within a retail environment. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in managing substantial budgets and a commitment to ethical financial practices. The company offers a competitive remuneration package, professional development opportunities, and a culture that values innovation.

Benefits

Competitive remuneration package

Annual performance bonuses

Medical aid

Pension fund contributions

Employee discounts

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• At least 12-15 years of progressive finance experience, with 5-7 years in a senior role, preferably in retail or franchising.
• Experience in managing payroll operations at a senior level, knowledge of SA labor law, statutory deductions, and payroll systems integration with HR.
• Proven track record managing substantial budgets (R 1bn and above).

Responsibilities

• Mentor and lead a finance team across all divisions.
• Lead accounting, treasury, tax, and audit processes.
• Oversee payroll functions, ensuring compliance and accuracy.
• Develop and oversee annual budgets and financial strategies.
• Establish internal controls and manage retail risks.
• Deliver financial modeling for business decisions.
• Analyze and reduce costs across operations.
• Partner with stakeholders to present financial insights.
• Implement and enhance financial systems.

Skills

Leadership and Communication

Adaptability

Technical Proficiency

Excel Proficiency

Payroll Expertise

Problem-Solving

Ethical Integrity

Analytical and Strategic Thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Commerce, or related field

Master's degree or MBA preferred

Professional certification such as CA(SA)

Tools

Sage 300

Microsoft Excel

Sage One

Sage Intacct

Job description

Overview

Company Overview

Cash Crusaders is South Africa's largest second-hand retailer, founded in 1996 and headquartered in Cape Town. With over 280 retail stores nationwide, we specialize in buying, selling, and pawning a wide range of new and pre-owned goods, including electronics, appliances, jewellery, musical instruments, and more. We also provide short-term cash loans and pawning services, empowering entrepreneurs and communities through accessible retail and financial solutions. The business is split into 3 divisions:

• Franchising (Original franchise company with approx. 120 stores)
• CCW (New Goods imports and supply chain solutions)
• Corporate stores (Company owned outlets with approx. 160 stores)

Job Title: Head of Finance
Department: Finance
Reports to: Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Employment Type: Full-time

Responsibilities

• Team Leadership: Mentor and lead a finance team in excess of 30 members across all 3 divisions, promoting a culture of excellence, ethical practices, and adaptability in a franchised retail setting. Responsibilities include succession planning, skills development, and fostering excellence and accuracy within the finance team.
• Operational Finance Management: Lead accounting, treasury, tax, and audit processes, ensuring accurate reporting, cash flow optimization, and compliance with IFRS, SARS requirements, and the Companies Act.
• Managing the Payroll Department: Oversee the design, implementation, and monitoring of all payroll-related functions across corporate stores and head offices, ensuring accurate and timely payroll, compliance with PAYE, UIF, SDL, pension/provident fund contributions, alignment with BCEA provisions and internal policies. Include payroll audits, internal controls, and integration with HR and finance platforms; maintain confidentiality and manage vendor relationships; provide strategic payroll optimization recommendations; ensure payroll reporting supports financial planning and analysis.
• Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A): Develop and oversee annual budgets, forecasts, and multi-year financial strategies, accounting for seasonal retail trends, franchise royalties, pawn loan interest, and inventory cycles.
• Risk Management and Compliance: Establish internal controls and manage risks related to retail and lending, including adherence to NCA, NCR, Second-Hand Goods Act, FICA, and AML regulations.
• Strategic Support: Deliver financial modeling for business decisions (franchise expansions, store acquisitions, digital lending) and advise on economic factors.
• Cost Control and Optimization: Analyze and reduce costs across Corporate stores, Franchise operations and supply chain.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Partner with franchisees, executives, auditors, banks, and regulators (e.g., FSCA) to present financial metrics and insights; communicate financial implications clearly to stakeholders.
• Technology Integration: Implement and enhance financial systems (ERP like Sage or Pastel); advance automation and analytics for accuracy and speed.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Commerce, or related field; Master's degree or MBA preferred.
• Professional certification such as CA(SA).
• At least 12-15 years of progressive finance experience, with 5-7 years in a senior role, preferably in retail or franchising.
• Experience in managing payroll operations at a senior level, knowledge of SA labor law, statutory deductions, and payroll systems integration with HR and ERP platforms (Sage 300).
• Experience in a franchised or multi-site environment, with knowledge of SA regulatory frameworks for credit providers and second-hand dealers.
• Proven track record managing substantial budgets (R 1bn and above).

Skills and Competencies

• Leadership and Communication: Excellent interpersonal skills to lead a large financial team and communicate financial data to non-finance teams.
• Adaptability: Thrive in a fast-paced, franchised retail environment with multiple priorities.
• Technical Proficiency: Proficiency in financial software (Sage One and Sage Intacct).
• Excel Proficiency: Strong Microsoft Excel skills.
• Payroll Expertise: Deep payroll governance, systems, and compliance knowledge with ability to translate data into insights.
• Problem-Solving: Address issues around financial reporting, tax, and year-end audits.
• Ethical Integrity: Commitment to ethical financial practices and transparency.
• Analytical and Strategic Thinking: Ability to analyze complex data and forecast retail and lending trends within SA context.

What We Offer

• Competitive remuneration package, including annual performance bonuses, medical aid, pension fund contributions, and employee discounts.
• Professional development opportunities and career progression within South Africa's leading second-hand retailer.
• A collaborative, entrepreneurial culture that values innovation.