Head of Finance

We've got a position available for a Head of Finance

Company: King Price Life

Purpose of position:

The Head of Finance is King Price Life Insurance's senior finance leader below the CFO, accountable for the day-to-day operational, reporting and control environment of the business. The role acts as the CFO's right hand, taking ownership of financial reporting, statutory and tax compliance, banking and treasury, and the design of a robust internal control environment, freeing the CFO to focus on strategic and board-level matters. This is a senior, hands-on role for someone equally comfortable setting policy and doing the detailed work themselves.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial reporting & budgeting

• Own the annual budgeting process, including expense budgeting and management of inputs across the business
• Oversee preparation of monthly management accounts (data input and reconciliation), including budget-to-actual variance analysis and performance commentary
• Prepare annual financial statements
• Apply and maintain technical accounting positions as required (e.g. IFRS 9, IFRS 17/10), including accounting policy development and technical memos

Audit, controls & governance

• Manage and act as primary liaison for the year-end financial audit
• Manage external consultants, including internal audit, valuation specialists (ECLs, options) and tax consultants
• Design and implement internal financial controls, and maintain a robust control environment
• Prepare reporting packs for the audit committee

Tax & regulatory

• Take full responsibility for the relationship with SARS, including engagement and all required updates
• Own income tax, provisional tax and dividends tax e-filing, and submission of all annual returns (including the manual process required for life insurers)

Banking, treasury & procurement

• Hold full responsibility for banking relationships across all major institutions, and for controls within the banking environment
• Oversee design and execution of the procurement and payment process, including execution of daily payments
• Oversee working capital and institutional-level splits, and the day-to-day treasury function

Leadership

• Act as the CFO's right hand, deputising on operational and reporting finance matters
• Build, lead and develop the finance team, mentoring individuals within the function

Requirements & Qualifications

• CA(SA), qualified chartered accountant
• Insurance experience
• Minimum 5-8 years' post-articles experience, including a background in external audit (Big 4 or equivalent) with exposure to financial services - ideally insurance, banking, wealth management or asset management
• Strong technical accounting knowledge (IFRS 9, IFRS 17, IFRS 10) and experience applying it in a practical reporting environment
• Experience managing statutory financial statement preparation, budgeting and management reporting
• Experience with SARS engagement and corporate tax compliance (income tax, provisional tax, dividends tax)
• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing internal financial controls
• Proven people leadership and mentorship experience
• Comfortable operating at both a strategic level and doing detailed, hands-on work
• Strong stakeholder management skills - confident liaising with auditors, tax consultants, valuation specialists and the audit committee

Skills & Attributes:

• Strong analytical, numerical, and problem-solving skills
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Proficiency in data analysis and actuarial modelling
• Ability to interpret and communicate complex information clearly
• Strong organisational and time management skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Proactive, accountable, and results-oriented
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development