Financial Controller

The Financial Controller is responsible for ensuring the integrity of financial reporting, statutory compliance, tax obligations, and audit readiness across multiple legal entities in Africa.

This position serves as the key accounting and compliance lead, partnering with finance leadership, external auditors, tax advisors, and business stakeholders to deliver accurate financial information, maintain strong internal controls, and support strategic decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Accounting & Reporting

• Own the month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes.
• Prepare and review financial statements in accordance with IFRS and corporate reporting requirements.
• Ensure accuracy and completeness of general ledger transactions and account reconciliations.
• Review and approve journal entries, accruals, provisions, and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Perform detailed balance sheet reviews and identify opportunities for process improvements.
• Maintain accounting integrity across multiple legal entities and currencies.
• Support consolidation and group reporting requirements.

External Audit Management

• Act as the primary finance contact for external auditors.
• Coordinate annual statutory audits and interim reviews.
• Prepare audit schedules, working papers, and supporting documentation.
• Manage audit requests and ensure timely resolution of audit queries.
• Monitor and drive closure of audit findings and recommendations.
• Ensure audit readiness throughout the year through strong documentation and controls.

Tax Compliance & Governance

• Manage direct and indirect tax compliance across African entities.
• Coordinate preparation and submission of corporate income tax, VAT, withholding tax, PAYE, and other statutory returns.
• Liaise with tax advisors and revenue authorities regarding tax matters.
• Support transfer pricing documentation and compliance requirements.
• Monitor changes in tax legislation and assess business impacts.
• Manage tax audits, assessments, queries, and refund processes.

Internal Controls & Compliance

• Ensure adherence to corporate finance policies and internal control frameworks.
• Review financial processes to identify and mitigate risks.
• Support SOX and internal control compliance requirements where applicable.
• Ensure compliance with local statutory and regulatory obligations.
• Maintain documentation supporting key financial controls.

Treasury & Cash Management Support

• Support cash flow forecasting and working capital management.
• Monitor banking activities and cash reconciliations.
• Assist with foreign currency and intercompany transaction management.
• Support funding and repatriation requirements where applicable.

Business Partnership

• Collaborate with FP&A, operational finance, billing, payroll, and commercial teams.
• Provide technical accounting guidance to finance and business stakeholders.
• Support financial projects, system enhancements, and process automation initiatives.
• Assist management with financial analysis and ad hoc reporting requirements.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• CA(SA), ACCA, CIMA, SAIPA, SAICA, or equivalent professional qualification.
• Minimum 5-8 years' experience in accounting, audit, statutory reporting, and tax compliance.
• Experience managing external audits and multiple legal entities.
• Strong knowledge of IFRS and local statutory reporting requirements.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with ERP systems (SAP preferred).

Advantageous

• Experience operating across multiple African jurisdictions.
• Knowledge of transfer pricing and cross-border tax requirements.
• Experience within a multinational or shared services environment.
• Exposure to finance transformation and automation initiatives.

Success Measures

• Timely completion of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting.
• Clean audit outcomes and timely closure of audit findings.
• Accurate and on-time submission of all tax returns.
• Strong balance sheet governance and reconciliation quality.
• Zero significant compliance breaches.
• Continuous improvement in finance processes, controls, and reporting efficiency