Financial Controller

JOB DESCRIPTION

*
* Location:

V & A Waterfront, Cape Town
Working Arrangement:
Hybrid

K2 Recruit is partnering with a growing South African health and wellness business that develops, markets and distributes nutraceutical and complementary health products across retail, wholesale, e-commerce and international markets.

We are looking for an experienced, hands-on Financial Controller to take ownership of the day-to-day operational finance function, manage a small finance team and work closely with the CFO.

This is a role for someone who enjoys being in the detail
. You will not simply be responsible for producing reports -- you will own the numbers, identify issues, investigate discrepancies and bring practical solutions to the table.

A particularly important part of this position is inventory and cost accounting
. The successful candidate will have solid experience working in a stock-intensive environment, ideally involving manufactured inventory, and be comfortable with COGS, stock movements, adjustments, write-offs, returns, stock counts and reconciliations.

If you are commercially minded, technically strong and enjoy taking ownership, this could be an excellent opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a growing business.

• Own the month-end close process and ensure agreed deadlines are consistently achieved.
• Ensure accurate and timely recording of financial transactions.
• Review the general ledger, income statement and balance sheet.
• Prepare and review journals, accruals and provisions.
• Ensure balance sheet accounts are fully reconciled and supported.
• Investigate discrepancies, variances and unusual movements.
• Prepare financial information and analysis to support monthly management reporting.

• Review local and foreign-currency bank reconciliations.
• Review weekly payment schedules for accuracy and completeness.
• Prepare and maintain rolling monthly cash-flow forecasts.
• Incorporate debtor receipts, creditor payments, inventory purchases and foreign-currency movements into cash-flow planning.
• Update forecasts for actuals and known commitments and proactively flag potential cash-flow requirements.
• Oversee debtors and creditors, including ageing, collections, reconciliations, supplier statements and disputes.

This is a critical component of the role.

• Own the financial side of inventory accounting and reconciliation.
• Review stock movements, COGS, adjustments, write-offs and returns.
• Ensure inventory is accurately reflected in the financial records.
• Investigate and resolve stock discrepancies and variances.
• Support accurate stock counts and reconciliation processes.

• Prepare and review VAT information and reconciliations for South African and UK entities.
• Ensure statutory submissions are accurate and completed on time.
• Liaise with external accountants, tax advisers and auditors.
• Assist with audit and independent review requirements.

• Calculate sales representative commissions.
• Validate commission calculations against sales reports and approved commission structures.

• Maintain the financial integrity and accuracy of Sage Intacct.
• Investigate and resolve accounting and system-related issues.
• Ensure transactions from third-party platforms are accurately recorded.
• Identify opportunities to improve, streamline and automate finance processes.
• Strengthen financial controls and operational efficiencies.

• Manage and support the finance team.
• Allocate responsibilities and monitor deadlines.
• Provide guidance, coaching and training.
• Conduct regular performance check-ins.
• Ensure accurate and timely processing while remaining hands-on when required.

• Proven experience as a Financial Controller, Financial Accountant or similar operational finance professional
  .
• Approximately 4+ years' relevant experience
  , with depth and relevance more important than years alone.
• Strong month-end close and balance-sheet control experience.
• Proven experience with inventory accounting in a stock-intensive or manufacturing environment
  .
• Practical understanding of COGS, stock adjustments, write-offs, returns and inventory reconciliations.
• Experience with cash-flow forecasting and working-capital management.
• Experience managing or supervising junior finance staff.
• Strong understanding of debtors,…