Senior Financial Controller

Senior Financial Controller

A high-growth, tech-led financial services environment needs a Senior Financial Controller who can both build and run. Think greenfield finance infrastructure, ERP rollout, shared services set-up, tight regulatory compliance – all while keeping the numbers spotless and the auditors smiling.

CORE PURPOSE

This role is the operational deputy to the Head of Finance Transformation and Digital Operations, owning the traditional finance engine room for a regulated financial institution. Expect a mix of hands-on technical finance, heavy IFRS, ERP implementation, and leadership of the finance operating layer – from GL design and reporting to VAT, tax, and statutory compliance.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

ERP Implementation (Microsoft Dynamics 365 F&O)

Lead the finance workstream on the ERP implementation

Draft SOPs for AP, AR, GL, fixed assets, accruals, prepayments, and intercompany

Review and sign off Business Requirements Specifications before configuration

Design UAT test scripts, coordinate execution, and provide formal go-live sign-off

Provide technical accounting input into system design alongside external auditors

GL Design & Financial Reporting Infrastructure

Own the GL structure – chart of accounts, reporting hierarchies, TB design, and dimensions

Design month-end and year-end close processes, timetables, and journal control frameworks

Build the full financial reporting suite – management accounts, board packs, group packs, AFS

Design and implement intercompany accounting frameworks across group entities

Lead the design of AFS in partnership with auditors

Select and implement a reporting tool to automate financial statement production

Shared Services & Finance Operations

Design and embed a finance shared services model (AP, AR, payment processing, banking ops)

Set up robust payment controls, dual authorisation, and segregation of duties

Manage a central vendor contract register, renewal cycles, and commercial terms

Oversee accurate, reconciled, compliant banking platform transaction processing from day one

Group Reporting, Consolidation & BAU Close

Prepare and submit group reporting packs to strict timelines

Manage consolidation entries, intercompany eliminations, and minority interests

Align group, management, and regulatory reporting to one source of financial truth

Own monthly close – GL sign-off, journals, accruals, and balance sheet reconciliations

Produce monthly management accounts with sharp variance analysis for senior leadership

Maintain IFRS compliance across statements, policies, and disclosures

Lead external audit support, audit packs, queries, and sign-off coordination

Finance Business Partnering

Provide commercial and financial insight to business units

Translate complex IFRS-heavy data into clear, actionable insights for non-finance stakeholders

Identify cost optimisation opportunities aligned to cost-to-income targets

Support financial models, business cases, and investment appraisals for strategic initiatives

QUALIFICATIONS

Registered CA(SA) in good standing with SAICA

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Financial Management

NQF Level 8 qualification in Accounting or Finance

EXPERIENCE & SKILLS

8+ years post-articles finance experience

Strong exposure to banking, financial services, fintech, or regulated financial environments

Proven track record in:

Month-end and year-end close

Group consolidations and AFS preparation

IFRS reporting and tax/VAT compliance

Experience in ERP finance implementations (ideally Dynamics 365 F&O)

Background in building or operating finance shared services

Confident engaging auditors and regulatory stakeholders

Deep practical IFRS expertise (IFRS 9, 15, 16, IAS 12, 32, 39)

Key strengths: financial integrity, build mindset, ownership, collaboration, commercial acumen, detail focus, strong communication, and people leadership