Financial Manager

The company is a governance-led managed IT services business running on Xero, with a recurring-revenue billing model (managed-service agreements and Microsoft cloud licensing). The Finance Manager owns the full finance function day-to-day and produces the management information and controls the executive needs to run the business. The role is deliberately broad: it combines hands-on finance operations with the reporting, forecasting and control work that currently sits above it. It is designed to grow into a Financial Controller seat as the person takes on more of the planning and assurance the business needs.

The successful candidate is someone who can run the function without daily supervision, close the month reliably, keep cash and creditors under control, and give management a clear, timely and accurate view of the numbers on which to make decisions.

Key responsibilities

Accounting and month-end

• Own the full accounting function: journals, general ledger, reconciliations and month-end close.
• Prepare monthly management accounts and financial reports, in partnership with the external accountant.
• Maintain complete, accurate financial records and ensure the integrity of all transactions.
• Support the annual audit and statutory compliance requirements.

Cashflow, banking and creditor management

• Maintain a live 13-week rolling cashflow forecast as the primary cash-planning instrument.
• Monitor daily cash and liquidity; download and allocate bank transactions in Xero.
• Manage the creditor position: schedule and prioritise supplier payments against available cash, and negotiate terms and arrangements where needed.
• Load supplier payments within the bank's controls, observing segregation of duties (loading is separate from release).
• Pursue improved credit terms, supplier discounts and effective working-capital management.

Payroll and HR administration

• Oversee monthly payroll (Xero Payroll / SimplePay), processed accurately and on time.
• Manage EMP201 submissions and payroll statutory compliance.
• Maintain leave records and payroll documentation.

Accounts receivable and collections

• Manage customer invoicing and billing cycles, and resolve billing queries.
• Run a disciplined collections process: proactive follow-up, structured reminders and account holds.
• Escalate overdue accounts through the full recovery ladder — preparing letters of demand and handing matters to attorneys where recovery efforts are exhausted.
• Conduct credit checks and maintain accurate customer account records.

Management reporting, controls and business partnering

This is the part of the role that lets the executive step back from daily finance. It is a core responsibility, not an occasional extra.

• Produce the monthly management pack — profit and loss against budget with variance commentary, balance sheet, cashflow and a KPI scorecard — to a fixed deadline for the monthly management meeting.
• Reconcile recurring revenue (agreement and licensing billing) between the operational system and Xero, and report on margin and coverage against the break-even position.
• Own the financial-controls framework: reconciliations, approval limits, segregation of duties and month-end sign-off.
• Provide the executive with cashflow, scenario and decision-support analysis on request.
• Flag risks, exceptions and decisions needed — govern by exception, not by chasing.

Systems and process improvement

• Administer and maintain Xero and related finance systems; keep the chart of accounts and transaction coding clean.
• Improve and automate finance workflows; maintain standard operating procedures and controls.
• Support and, over time, supervise junior finance staff.

Customer and supplier service

• Respond to customer and supplier queries within agreed service levels.
• Maintain professional relationships with customers, suppliers, the bank and the external accountant.

Key performance indicators

• Monthly management accounts accurate and delivered by the agreed working day.
• Bank, debtor and creditor reconciliations completed accurately and by the set day each month.
• 13-week cashflow forecast maintained and current at all times.
• Payroll processed accurately and on time, every month.
• Debtors (days sales outstanding) held within target; overdue accounts escalated on schedule.
• Supplier commitments met according to agreed terms and available cash.
• Budget variances identified and explained monthly.
• Financial records maintained accurately; statutory and payroll obligations met.
• Finance controls operating without breach; continuous improvement of processes.

Minimum requirements

Qualifications

• BCom in Accounting or Finance (essential).
• Part-qualified SAIPA or CIMA, or CA(SA) studying towards completion (strongly advantageous — supports the progression to Financial Controller).
• Xero Advisor Certification advantageous.

Experience

• At least 4–5 years' finance operations and reporting experience.
• Hands-on experience running month-end and producing management accounts (essential).
• Xero experience (essential).
• Experience in a recurring-revenue, services or IT business — or managed-service / cloud-licensing billing — advantageous.
• Experience managing cashflow and creditors in a cost-conscious environment.
• Experience running collections through to letters of demand and legal handover.
• Payroll experience (SimplePay or similar) advantageous.

Skills and competencies

• Strong grasp of accounting principles and financial controls.
• Advanced Excel; comfortable building and maintaining models.
• Analytical, commercially minded and accurate under pressure.
• Able to work independently, own the function and manage competing priorities.
• Clear communicator with customers, suppliers and management.
• Discreet and professional with confidential information.

Development path

The role is designed to progress to Financial Controller as the finance function matures and the person takes on more of the planning, controls and assurance that currently sit with the executive and external advisers. Progression is on merit, against demonstrated ownership of the function and the reporting cadence.

Remuneration

Market-related

Pay: R460 000,00 - R520 000,00 per year

Application Question(s):

• Do you hold a BCom degree in Accounting or Finance?
• Have you prepared monthly management accounts?

Education:

• Bachelors (Required)

Experience:

• finance operations and reporting: 4 years (Preferred)

Work Location: In person