Financial Controller

Key Responsibilities

Debtors & Cash Flow Management

• Take full ownership of the accounts receivable and credit-control function.
• Implement and enforce effective debt-collection procedures.
• Monitor debtor ageing and Days Sales Outstanding (DSO).
• Work closely with Sales to resolve payment delays, disputes and credit-related issues.
• Produce weekly debtor reports and cash-flow forecasts for management.
• Monitor overdue accounts and drive improvements in cash collection.
• Manage customer credit limits, credit applications and approvals.

Financial Systems & Automation

• Identify opportunities to automate and streamline financial and administrative processes.
• Implement automated debtor reminders and collections workflows.
• Develop and maintain automated financial dashboards and reporting tools.
• Improve the efficiency, accuracy and auditability of financial systems and data.
• Lead or contribute to ERP improvements, system enhancements and implementation projects.
• Continuously review financial processes and identify opportunities for improvement.

Financial Administration & Controls

• Oversee the day-to-day financial administration function.
• Maintain strong internal financial controls and governance.
• Ensure accurate and timely reconciliations across debtor and cash accounts.
• Support and lead month-end closing processes.
• Ensure financial procedures and controls are consistently applied across the business.
• Maintain accurate, complete and auditable financial records.
• Identify and address financial or process-related risks and discrepancies.

Cross-Functional & Operational Support

• Partner with Sales, Marketing and Operations to strengthen financial discipline across the business.
• Provide financial guidance and support to non-finance teams where required.
• Assist with inventory reconciliations and stock reporting.
• Provide management with financial information and insights to support business decisions.
• Take ownership of broader operational or financial projects as business priorities require.
• Mentor and support junior finance or administrative staff where applicable.

Key Performance Areas

• Debtor Days (DSO): Reduction and maintenance within agreed targets.
• Cash Collection: Improved percentage of overdue debt collected within agreed timeframes.
• Overdue Debt: Reduction in 60+ and 90+ day ageing balances.
• Financial Reporting: Accurate and timely weekly and month-end reporting with no material errors.
• Financial Controls: Consistent compliance with internal financial processes and controls.
• Process Automation: Successful automation and streamlining of manual financial processes.
• Systems Improvement: Successful implementation of relevant ERP, reporting or financial-system improvements.
• Cross-Functional Support: Effective delivery of financial and operational commitments across the business.

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum 5 years' experience in financial management, financial control, senior financial administration or a similar role.
• Strong, hands-on accounts receivable and credit-control experience not solely an oversight function.
• Relevant financial qualification, such as:
  • BCom Accounting / Finance
  • National Diploma in Financial Management
  • Equivalent financial qualification
• Advanced Excel and financial systems proficiency.
• Demonstrable experience implementing process automation within a finance environment.
• Strong understanding of financial controls, reconciliations, debtors and cash flow.
• High level of accuracy, attention to detail and operational discipline.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and influence non-finance teams.
• Strong organisational and problem-solving abilities.
• Commercially minded with the ability to interpret financial information in a broader business context.

Advantageous Experience

The following would be strong differentiators:

• Experience within FMCG, distribution or another high-volume transactional environment.
• Experience using Sage Evolution and/or Pastel.
• Exposure to ERP implementation or significant financial-system improvement projects.
• Experience developing automated debtor reminders or collections workflows.
• Experience building financial dashboards and automated reporting tools.
• Previous experience managing, mentoring or supervising junior finance or administrative staff.
• Strong commercial acumen and the ability to translate financial data into practical business insights.