Senior Finance Manager

ARCS; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

ARCS in Gauteng seeks a Senior Finance Manager to lead the financial function across multiple dealerships, driving profitability and strong controls.

The role oversees budgeting, forecasting, monthly reporting, cash flow management and commercial analysis, working closely with Dealer Principals, Sales Managers and senior leadership.

Applicants require 5+ years in motor dealership finance, advanced Excel skills, and proven leadership under pressure.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' experience in a Financial Manager or Senior Financial Manager role.
• Minimum 5 years' motor dealership experience – essential.
• Strong knowledge of dealership accounting systems and financial controls.
• Experience working with Dealer Principals, Sales Managers and senior management.
• Proven ability to analyse: Sales performance, Gross profit, Margins, Stock ageing, Departmental results.
• Strong understanding of dealership profitability and improving financial performance.
• Proven experience managing, leading and developing a finance team.
• Multi-dealership experience will be an advantage.
• Excellent analytical, leadership and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines.
• Valid driver's licence.
• Must be able to successfully meet applicable verification and background-check requirements.
• Preference may be given to candidates based in the East Rand or Edenvale proximity.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the full financial function across dealerships.
• Prepare monthly management accounts and financial reports.
• Manage budgeting, forecasting and cash flow.
• Ensure compliance with accounting standards, tax legislation and internal financial controls.
• Oversee creditors, debtors, general ledger and asset management.
• Monitor vehicle margins, sales performance, incentives, rebates and stock ageing.
• Work closely with Sales and Operations to improve dealership profitability.
• Provide commercial financial analysis and recommendations to senior management.
• Challenge and support management regarding financial performance, cost control and profitability.
• Reconcile manufacturer accounts and ensure accurate OEM reporting.
• Manage month-end and year-end financial processes.
• Analyse financial performance and provide strategic recommendations to management.
• Lead, mentor and develop the finance team.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and automotive industry best practices.
• Provide direction, management and leadership across accounting, business planning and budgeting activities.
• Deliver timely and relevant financial management reports to key stakeholders.

Skills

5+ years exp

Motor dealership exp

Commercial acumen

Analytical skills

Advanced Excel

Leadership

Budgeting

Forecasting

Financial reporting

Team development

OEM reporting

Job description

INTRO

An established automotive dealership environment is seeking an experienced and commercially focused Senior Finance Manager to take responsibility for the overall financial management function. The successful candidate will provide financial leadership across accounting, business planning and budgeting, while delivering accurate and timely financial reporting and commercial insights to senior management.

This role requires a finance professional with substantial motor dealership experience, strong commercial acumen and a proven ability to drive financial performance, profitability and effective financial controls within a fast-paced automotive environment.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee the full financial function across dealerships.
• Prepare monthly management accounts and financial reports.
• Manage budgeting, forecasting and cash flow.
• Ensure compliance with accounting standards, tax legislation and internal financial controls.
• Oversee creditors, debtors, general ledger and asset management.
• Monitor vehicle margins, sales performance, incentives, rebates and stock ageing.
• Work closely with Sales and Operations to improve dealership profitability.
• Provide commercial financial analysis and recommendations to senior management.
• Challenge and support management regarding financial performance, cost control and profitability.
• Reconcile manufacturer accounts and ensure accurate OEM reporting.
• Manage month-end and year-end financial processes.
• Analyse financial performance and provide strategic recommendations to management.
• Lead, mentor and develop the finance team.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and automotive industry best practices.
• Provide direction, management and leadership across accounting, business planning and budgeting activities.
• Deliver timely and relevant financial management reports to key stakeholders.

REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum 5 years' experience in a Financial Manager or Senior Financial Manager role.
• Minimum 5 years' motor dealership experience – essential.
• Strong commercial dealership experience, including:
  • Sales management
  • Vehicle profitability
  • Margins
  • Incentives
  • Rebates
• Strong knowledge of dealership accounting systems and financial controls.
• Experience working with Dealer Principals, Sales Managers and senior management.
• Proven ability to analyse:
  • Sales performance
  • Gross profit
  • Margins
  • Stock ageing
  • Departmental results
• Strong understanding of dealership profitability and improving financial performance.
• Proven experience managing, leading and developing a finance team.
• Multi-dealership experience will be an advantage.
• Excellent analytical, leadership and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines.
• Valid driver's licence.
• Must be able to successfully meet applicable verification and background-check requirements.
• Preference may be given to candidates based in the East Rand or within reasonable proximity to Edenvale.