Head of Finance

Recruitment Matters; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is seeking a strategic and experienced Head of Finance to manage the finance department, ensuring compliance and strong financial governance. This senior leadership role involves overseeing financial reporting, managing audits, and delivering strategic insights while leading a hybrid finance team across regions.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' experience as CFO or Head of Finance.
• Experience in shipping or logistics industry is an advantage.
• Exposure to global Big 5 accounting firms preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee accurate and timely financial reporting in compliance with IFRS/local GAAP.
• Manage statutory audits and finalize audited financial statements.
• Lead budgeting and forecasting in collaboration with the Managing Director.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Understanding of IFRS

Tax laws knowledge

Emotional intelligence

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Conflict resolution

Deadline management

Proficiency in MS Office

Education

Chartered Accountant with CPA or ACCA qualification

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Our client is looking for a strategic and experienced Head of Finance to lead and manage the finance department while ensuring compliance, strong financial governance, and alignment with organizational objectives. This senior leadership role requires a hands-on professional capable of driving financial performance, optimizing processes, and supporting cross-functional initiatives.
Responsibilities

• Oversee accurate and timely financial reporting in compliance with IFRS/local GAAP
• Manage the completion of statutory audits and finalize audited financial statements
• Maintain strong revenue assurance practices and working capital optimization
• Monitor compliance with customer tariffs and manage vendor obligations
• Strengthen internal control frameworks and lead SOP reviews and development
• Ensure full tax compliance (direct and indirect), including filing and payments
• Oversee cash flow planning, forecasting, and prudent investment of surplus funds
• Lead budgeting and forecasting in collaboration with the Managing Director
• Deliver strategic financial insights through management reporting and board presentations
• Manage banking relationships, negotiate financing, and ensure KYC adherence
• Lead a hybrid finance team across locations, promoting high performance
• Support payroll and HR collaboration on employee records and initiatives

Key Skills

• Strong leadership and cross-functional collaboration capabilities
• Deep understanding of IFRS, tax laws, and international taxation principles
• High emotional intelligence and the ability to lead multicultural teams
• Effective communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to manage strict deadlines and work under pressure
• Proficiency in MS Office and ERP systems
• Minimum 5 years' experience as a CFO or Head of Finance
• Experience in the shipping or logistics industry is an advantage
• Exposure to global Big 5 accounting firms is preferred
• Willingness to relocate and work across the Middle East and Africa regions

Qualifications

• Chartered Accountant with CPA or ACCA (UK) qualification