Head of Finance

Network Recruitment; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Network Recruitment represents an FCA-regulated impact investment manager seeking a Head of Finance to lead the finance function across funds and related entities. You will oversee fund accounting, financial reporting, treasury, budgeting, audit, tax and regulatory reporting, working with senior management and service providers.

The role emphasizes strong cash management, governance and financial controls, with responsibility for ensuring timely NAVs, statutory accounts and external audits while

Qualifications

• Recognised professional accounting qualification (ACA/ACCA/CA(SA)/CIMA or equivalent).
• Significant post-qualification experience in investment management or related environment.
• Strong knowledge of financial reporting, budgeting, treasury and financial controls.
• Experience overseeing fund net asset values, audits and external finance service providers.
• Advanced Excel skills and excellent written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Oversee fund accounting, monthly NAV calculations, reconciliations, valuations and provisions.
• Review financial information produced by the fund administrator and oversee annual financial statements and audits.
• Manage monthly management accounts, balance-sheet reconciliations and intercompany balances.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting and financial planning; monitor variances and liquidity.
• Oversee payroll and employee-benefit administration from a finance perspective.

Skills

Technical accounting

Commercial judgement

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Prioritisation

Education

ACA/ACCA/CA(SA)/CIMA or equivalent

Tools

Excel

Job description

Our client is an FCA-regulated impact investment manager providing financing solutions to financial institutions serving small and medium-sized enterprises in emerging and underserved markets.

About the Role

The Head of Finance is responsible for leading the finance function across the investment funds, investment-management entities and related companies. The role oversees fund and corporate accounting, financial reporting, treasury, budgeting, audit, tax, regulatory reporting and financial controls. The Head of Finance works closely with senior management, Investments, Risk and Compliance, Operations and Investor Relations, while managing relationships with fund administrators, auditors, banks, accountants, tax advisers and other service providers.

Responsibilities

Fund Finance and Reporting

• Oversee fund accounting, monthly net asset value calculations, reconciliations, valuations and provisions.
• Review and approve financial information produced by the fund administrator.
• Oversee annual fund financial statements and external audits.
• Ensure portfolio and accounting records are complete, accurate and appropriately reconciled.
• Review financial information used in investor and committee reporting.

Corporate Finance

• Oversee accounting and financial reporting for the investment manager and related entities.
• Manage monthly management accounts, balance-sheet reconciliations, payments and intercompany balances.
• Lead annual budgeting, forecasting and financial planning.
• Monitor financial performance against budget and report material variances.
• Oversee payroll and employee-benefit administration from a finance perspective.

Treasury and Liquidity

• Manage cash-flow forecasting, liquidity and treasury requirements.
• Ensure sufficient cash is available in the appropriate currencies to meet obligations.
• Monitor foreign-exchange exposure and oversee approved hedging transactions.
• Manage banking relationships, mandates and payment controls.

Audit, Tax and Compliance

• Lead annual audits and coordinate responses to auditor requests and findings.
• Oversee statutory accounts, tax filings and company-secretarial requirements.
• Work with Risk and Compliance to meet applicable financial and regulatory reporting obligations.
• Maintain an effective financial-control environment, including appropriate approvals and segregation of duties.
• Escalate material reporting errors, control weaknesses or compliance concerns promptly.

Leadership and Service-Provider Oversight

• Lead, manage and develop the finance team.
• Oversee fund administrators, external accountants, auditors, tax advisers and other finance service providers.
• Monitor outsourced activities, service levels and reporting deadlines.
• Improve finance systems, processes, controls and reporting tools.
• Provide financial advice and analysis to senior management, the Board and relevant committees.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Recognised professional accounting qualification, such as ACA, ACCA, CA(SA), CIMA or equivalent.
• Significant post-qualification experience in investment management, financial services, fund accounting or a related environment.
• Strong knowledge of financial reporting, management accounting, budgeting, treasury and financial controls.
• Experience overseeing fund net asset values, audits and external finance service providers.
• Strong cash-flow forecasting, liquidity-management and analytical capabilities.
• Experience presenting financial information to senior management, Boards or committees.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience within an FCA-regulated investment manager or alternative investment fund manager.
• Experience in private credit, trade finance, asset-backed lending or emerging markets.
• Knowledge of US GAAP and IFRS.
• Experience with international funds, entities, currencies and regulatory reporting.
• Familiarity with impact investing or sustainable finance.

Required Skills

• Strong technical accounting and financial-control expertise.
• Commercial judgement and the ability to support strategic decisions.
• High levels of integrity, accuracy and attention to detail.
• Effective leadership, communication and stakeholder-management skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and reporting deadlines.
• Practical and improvement-focused approach to systems and processes.

Preferred Skills

• Experience within an FCA-regulated investment manager or alternative investment fund manager.
• Experience in private credit, trade finance, asset-backed lending or emerging markets.
• Knowledge of US GAAP and IFRS.
• Experience with international funds, entities, currencies and regulatory reporting.
• Familiarity with impact investing or sustainable finance.