Gauteng: Financial Controller posted by Smith Garb

About the Role

The Finance team requires an experienced Controller to assume direct ownership of all audit-related deliverables. The South African entity is currently multiple years in arrears, and the successful candidate will lead the process of bringing all financial periods up to date and fully compliant with IFRS and statutory requirements. This role demands a highly skilled, inquisitive professional with strong technical accounting knowledge, audit management expertise, and a hands-on, solutions-driven mindset.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess historical financial information and prepare supporting documentation required for audit completion.
• Engage with internal stakeholders to obtain all supporting evidence needed for statutory audits.
• Manage the relationship with external financial statement preparers to ensure IFRS-compliant financials for all outstanding periods.
• Lead interactions with external auditors, ensuring proactive engagement and delivery within agreed timelines.
• Identify gaps, implement process improvements, and support the Finance team in achieving ongoing compliance.
• Provide support to Financial Leadership on various deliverables, including:
  • Current-period controllership tasks in coordination with the South African Controller
  • Audit and compliance support for other African entities (Nigeria and Morocco)
  • Corporate Income Tax, VAT, and Transfer Pricing matters
• Uphold and embody the organisation’s core values in all aspects of work.

Required Experience & Competencies

• Strong experience as a Financial Controller or Senior Accountant.
• Qualified Accountant – ideally CA(SA); ACCA, CIMA, CPA or equivalent designation will also be considered.
• Proven experience as the primary liaison during statutory audits.
• Advanced knowledge of IFRS, with strong exposure to IFRS 15, IFRS 16, and IFRS 9.
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, make sound recommendations, and engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Audit or statutory account preparation experience is essential.
• A combination of education and experience may be considered where suitable.

Additional Skills

• Strong decision-making ability with the capacity to gather, interpret, and act on financial information.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills across all organisational levels.
• Detail-oriented, proactive, and capable of managing complex, multi-period audit processes.

If you are a resilient, technically strong Finance Professional with a passion for compliance, problem-solving, and operational excellence—this role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a globally recognised organisation.