Senior Finance Manager

Rory Mackie & Associates; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 800,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading South African fashion retailer seeks a qualified technical accountant to head their accounting function. The role demands at least 10 years of experience in a complex financial environment, particularly within retail. Responsibilities include overseeing technical accounting, leading share schemes, and participating in strategic projects. This dynamic position offers a chance to work in a fast-paced environment focused on quality and operational excellence, supporting both collaborative and innovative workplace culture.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years experience in a financial environment.
• Currently at Finance Manager level in a public listed company.
• Must demonstrate a successful track record in technical accounting.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all technical accounting matters and implementation of new standards.
• Facilitate audits and ensure compliance with IFRS.
• Manage share schemes and related accounting activities.
• Participate in strategic projects that support Group objectives.

Skills

Technical accounting standards

Interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Problem solving skills

Education

CA (SA)

Job description

Overview

Our client is a leading South African fashion retailer with a well-established reputation in the clothing retail industry. The organisation operates in a fast-paced retail environment and is known for its focus on quality, customer experience, and operational excellence within the fashion and retail space.

An exciting opportunity exists in the Group’s finance team - they are seeking a dynamic, experienced qualified CA (SA) to head up the Group’s technical accounting function, in addition to a number of operational areas and strategic projects. It offers the successful applicant an opportunity to become part of a dynamic team in a fast-paced retail environment that fosters a culture of innovation, collaboration, personal development and excellence.

Responsibilities

Technical accounting

• Assume responsibility for all technical accounting matters, including the implementation and oversight of new accounting standards
• Member of the Group accounting forum, which is responsible for overseeing the accounting treatment, processes and preparation of financial statements of the Group and subsidiary companies
• Oversee the preparation and review of the Group and subsidiary company annual financial statements, ensuring best-in-class financial reporting, IFRS compliance and technical accuracy within a tight reporting timetable. This includes the preparation of accounting policies, disclosure frameworks, selected note disclosure and facilitating the external audit review
• Facilitate the technical review by external auditors of the Group and subsidiary company annual financial statements
• Responsible for maintaining the financial reporting control framework for purposes of the CEO/CFO attestation as required in terms of the JSE Listings requirements

Share schemes

• Responsible for all share scheme and related accounting, including reconciliations
• Prepare share scheme disclosure for Group and subsidiary company annual financial statements
• Prepare share scheme workings and reconciliation for the Group tax team to facilitate income tax calculations and returns
• Maintain the data in the accounting package used for share-based payment accounting, including the reconciliation to the share scheme system
• Assist with the preparation and review of the calculation of diluted number of shares in issue
• Accounting for the Group’s share scheme trust

Funding

• Participate in funding negotiations and review of funding agreements
• Monitor covenant compliance and report back to lenders
• Report to board and investment committee on covenant compliance and funding costs
• Review all related reconciliations

Merchandise imports

• Oversee the finance imports (shipping) function and provide guidance and support to the team
• Review all journals, reconciliations and monthly profit & loss/trading reports
• Check and approve import clearing agent invoices and payments
• Report to investment committee on foreign exchange exposures
• Report to tax forum on import VAT and duty compliance

Merchandise accounts payable

• Oversee the merchandise accounts payable function and provide guidance and support to the teams
• Review all reconciliations and ad hoc transactions

Sundry debtors

• Oversee sundry debtors team and provide guidance and support to the team
• Review all journals and reconciliations
• Responsible for monitoring and reporting on all sundry loans/advances to suppliers and the Group’s supplier development fund

Ad hoc/strategic projects

• Participate in and support the delivery of ad hoc and strategic projects that support the Group’s strategic objectives

Requirements

• CA (SA)
• Currently the candidate should at least be at a Finance Manager level in a public listed company of a similar size, and ideally within retail or similar sector
• Extensive experience (at least 10 years post articles or more) and successful track record of working in a complex financial environment, at this level
• Highly numerate with a professional understanding of technical accounting standards, financial statements and reporting, and financial controls
• Experience in credit retail would be an advantage

Competencies

• High level of energy, drive and pace associated with working in a highly dynamic and fast-paced fashion environment
• Good interpersonal, communication and organisational skills
• High attention to detail
• The ability to work under pressure and to strict deadlines
• Resilient, tenacious and assertive
• Good analytical and problem solving skills
• Exceptional technical skills