Financial Controller Job Grahamstown South Africa,Finance & Banking

Location: Grahamstown

For a luxury 5-star game lodge, the Financial Controller should combine strong accounting expertise with hands-on hospitality and operational understanding. Current Eastern Cape lodge vacancies commonly look for 3–5+ years of senior hotel finance experience, strong financial controls, budgeting, forecasting and reporting skills.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
Financial Management

Manage the day-to-day financial operations of the lodge.
Prepare accurate monthly management accounts and financial reports.
Maintain the general ledger and ensure all transactions are correctly recorded.
Perform monthly balance sheet reconciliations.
Monitor income, expenditure, profitability and cash flow.
Prepare and monitor annual budgets and regular forecasts.
Provide financial analysis and recommendations to the General Manager and senior management.

Hospitality Finance & Cost Control

Monitor departmental budgets and actual expenditure.
Control food, beverage, housekeeping and operational costs.
Monitor lodge stock levels, stock movements, wastage and variances.
Oversee purchasing controls and ensure purchases are properly authorised.
Analyse food and beverage cost percentages and gross profit margins.
Monitor revenue streams and identify opportunities to improve profitability.
Ensure strong financial controls are maintained across all lodge departments.

Creditors, Debtors & Cash

Oversee creditors and supplier reconciliations.
Monitor debtor accounts and outstanding balances.
Reconcile bank accounts and lodge cash accounts.
Conduct cash-up and revenue checks.
Monitor petty cash and staff advances.
Ensure supplier invoices are accurately processed and authorised.

Payroll & HR Finance

Assist with payroll processing and verification.
Check salaries, overtime, allowances, deductions and benefits.
Ensure payroll information reconciles with the accounting records.
Monitor staff-related costs against budget.

Compliance & Controls

Ensure compliance with company financial policies and procedures.
Maintain accurate financial records for audit purposes.
Ensure statutory financial and tax requirements are met.
Prepare information required for internal and external audits.
Implement and maintain effective internal controls.
Identify financial risks and recommend corrective action.

Management Support

Work closely with the General Manager and Heads of Department.
Explain financial results and variances to non-financial managers.
Assist HODs with budgeting and expenditure control.
Provide commercial insight to support lodge decision-making.
Identify areas of overspending and implement cost-saving measures.
Drive improvements in financial systems, procedures and reporting.

Remote Lodge Responsibilities

Be comfortable working in a remote/live-in game lodge environment.
Work independently with limited day-to-day support from Head Office.
Maintain strict confidentiality and financial integrity.
Be able to work around month-end, year-end and operational requirements, including weekends or public holidays when necessary.

Qualifications & Experience
Essential:

Matric / Grade 12.
Degree or Diploma in Accounting, Finance, Financial Management or a related field.
At least 3–5 years' experience as a Financial Controller, Financial Manager or Senior Hotel Accountant.
Previous experience within a 4- or 5-star hotel, lodge or luxury hospitality environment.
Strong knowledge of accounting principles and financial controls.
Experience with budgeting, forecasting and management accounts.
Excellent Excel skills.
Experience with accounting and/or hotel financial systems.

These requirements are consistent with current Financial Controller vacancies for luxury game reserves and hotels in South Africa.
Advantageous

Previous game lodge/safari lodge experience.
Experience with multiple lodge properties.
Hospitality cost-control experience.
Knowledge of hotel systems such as Opera, Micros, SUN, Pastel or similar.
SAICA/ACCA/CIMA-related studies or qualification.
Experience with payroll systems.
Knowledge of South African VAT, PAYE and other statutory requirements.
Valid driver's licence.
Experience working in a remote/live-in environment.

Key Competencies

Excellent numerical and analytical ability.
High attention to detail.
Strong financial and commercial acumen.
Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
High level of integrity and confidentiality.
Strong problem-solving ability.
Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to influence and support operational HODs.
Proactive, hands-on approach.
Strong Excel and reporting capability