Finance Analyst jobs in South Africa

The Financial Analyst at SMTAX will deliver comprehensive financial analysis, strategic insights, and fund oversight services to our external clients, including SMEs, high-growth enterprises, and structured funding vehicles. This role extends beyond traditional reporting to include capital allocation support, due diligence, fund performance monitoring, investment oversight, and ESG framework development, all aimed at ensuring sustainable financial growth, detailed governance, and enhanced decision-making.

• Analyse monthly management accounts, financial statements, and performance dashboards and present to clients management teams and boards.
• Conduct detailed variance, margin, cost, and profitability analysis to identify financial trends, risks, and improvement opportunities.
• Develop and maintain financial models for budgeting, forecasting, and scenario analyses to facilitate data‑driven decision‑making.

• Lead the preparation of annual budgets and rolling forecasts for clients, providing forward-looking financial projections aligned with growth strategies.
• Support strategic financial planning, including long‑term financial forecasting and capital structuring decisions.
• Draft, review, and improve business plans in light of performance analysis and strategic shifts, meeting with clients quarterly to present and refine these plans.

• Analyse and optimise cash flow cycles and liquidity positions, monitoring receivables, payables, and cost management structures.
• Implement controls to strengthen financial sustainability and operational efficiency.

• Monitor and report on the performance of managed funds, ring‑fenced projects, or client investment portfolios.
• Track capital deployment, returns, and compliance with mandate parameters, conducting investment feasibility analysis and risk assessments.
• Execute due diligence for vetting SME funding or financing applications for pre‑approval to internal or external credit committees.
• Conduct credit analysis and manage funding clients under our corporate and public sector investor or partner portfolios.
• Assist in compiling funding and/or investment proposals to attract and onboard new investors or clients focused on SMEs, emphasising positive impact tracking on impact funding.
• Set ESG frameworks and sustainable fund management principles to ensure compliance with environmental, social, and governance standards.

• Ensure financial reporting aligns with IFRS for SMEs and relevant South African regulatory standards.
• Support audit readiness and internal control implementation while maintaining compliance with funding agreements and reporting obligations.
• Conduct thorough compliance checks to ensure adherence to relevant regulations and standards.

• Present financial insights to client leadership teams in a clear and commercially relevant manner.
• Translate complex financial data into actionable business insights, supporting the Fractional CFO function in high-level financial advisory engagements.
• Maintain professional, solutions‑driven relationships with stakeholders, engaging directly with client management teams to interpret financial results.

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or a related field.
• Completed SAICA/SAIPA articles or equivalent experience (advantageous).
• 2–5 years’ experience in financial analysis, advisory, fund administration, or credit analysis.
• Advanced proficiency in Accounting software (especially Xero), and reporting tools (particularly Syft Analytics).
• Sound knowledge of South African financial regulations and reporting standards.
• Experience in fund accounting, investment analysis, capital structuring, and ESG frameworks is advantageous.

• Advanced analytical and quantitative skills with strong financial modelling capability.
• Strategic and commercial acumen with a focus on innovation in financial processes.
• High attention to detail and a strong governance discipline.
• Ability to manage multiple client portfolios and funding structures efficiently.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to translate complex financial data into actionable business recommendations.
• Professional integrity, confidentiality, and adherence to ethical practices in financial reporting tasks.

The Financial Analyst will play a pivotal role in strengthening financial oversight, optimising capital deployment, and enhancing investor confidence across SMTAX’s client base. By bridging traditional accounting, strategic advisory, fund performance management, and ESG principles, this position will reinforce SMTAX as a value‑driven outsourced finance partner, empowering our clients to achieve scalable growth and robust financial governance.