Group Financial Controller

The Group Financial Controller will play a pivotal role in managing the day to day finance functions in support of the Apogee group of companies as a whole. The Group Financial Controller will report directly to the CFO, will work closely with the local finance and legal & risk teams, as well as regional financial controllers, to ensure timeous and accurate financial reporting and financial governance adherence across the Group.

Requirements

The key responsibilities of the role will consist of, but not be limited to, the following:

Ledgers and Financial Reporting

• Ensure absolute accuracy in the preparation and timely presentation of financial results on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis on an individual company and consolidated basis in accordance with IFRS and relevant regulatory requirements, including foreign currency translation as required.

• Work closely with the financial planning & analysis manager to enable the effective communication of financial performance and variances against budget to all stakeholders.

• Spearhead group-wide audit readiness, manage the year-end audit process and liaise with external auditors.

• Work with regional financial controllers to ensure compliance with all tax regulations, including VAT, corporate income tax, and other relevant taxes.

• Oversee intercompany loan status to ensure that records are accurately kept.

Governance

• Maintain and strengthen internal controls, including the adoption and maintenance of a corporate Manual of Financial Policies and Procedures as well as a month-end closing checklist.

• Ensure robustness in online banking approvals and maintain an up-to-date record of all bank mandates and bank accounts.

• Drive the implementation and optimisation of financial systems and processes to improve efficiency and accuracy.

• Identify and implement best practices in financial management.

• Manage the relationships with the companies’ retail banking partners.

• Support international operations by overseeing transfer pricing and intercompany arrangements.

• Manage and continuously improve the payroll process, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with relevant legislation.

Working Capital

• Accounts payable and accounts receivable monitoring and recording across the entire group of companies
• Regular review of corporate-wide debtors and creditors, with recommendations to Regional VPs /Group CFO as to any actions to take.

Team

• Manage the day to day running of the finance function.

• Build, lead and mentor a high-performing back-office finance function, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.

• Manage team performance and development, ensuring the team has the skills and resources to achieve its objectives.

Success Profile

Knowledge

•        Qualified Accountant (CA (SA), ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with significant post-qualification experience

•        Strong technical accounting knowledge, including IFRS and local GAAPs (ideally US and UK GAAP)

•        Good understanding of the principles of consolidation of entities’ performance across multiple jurisdictions

Experience

•        Three years experience in a senior financial management role

•        Experience with financial systems implementation and optimisation

•        A track record of process improvement and control implementation

•        Experience in group consolidations, intercompany processes and transfer pricing

•        Proficient in using accounting software packages, ideally SAGE 300, Sage X3 and Datarails

•        Liaison with auditors both on a local entity and group basis

•        Experience of providing monthly reports on a timely basis to stakeholders, as well as reporting to lenders under debt facility obligations

•        Experience operating across international jurisdictions and fast-paced environments

Competencies

Core Competencies:

•        Driving customer value

•        Fostering Collaboration

•        Passion for results

Role Competencies:

•        Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

•        Accuracy

•        Ensuring efficiency & excellence

•        Planning and organising

•        Communication

•        Decision Making

•        Initiating Action

Personal Attributes

•        Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills

•        Strong communication and interpersonal skills

•        Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across all levels of the organisation

•        Ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality

•        Integrity and trustworthiness

•        Proactive and solution-oriented mindset

•        Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team

•        Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

•        Excellent time management skills and ability to meet deadlines with a passion for building a modern, scalable finance function

Other

•        Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment, fostering positive relationships with colleagues and service providers

•        A flexible and adaptable mindset, open to learning and incorporating new technologies and methodologies

•        Alignment with our company values and a commitment to contributing to a positive and inclusive workplace culture

•        Respectful Communication: values and practises respectful communication, actively listening to others' ideas and providing constructive feedback, contributing to a supportive and inclusive team culture