South Africa: Financial Manager posted by Kendrick Recruitment

Financial Manager | Luxury Nature Reserve | White River

Kendrick Recruitment is currently seeking an experienced and highly skilled Financial Manager for a luxury nature reserve based in White River. This is a key leadership role responsible for overseeing all financial operations, ensuring strong financial control, statutory compliance, and accurate reporting to support strategic decision-making.

Salary: Negotiable (Dependent on Experience)
Location: White River
Accommodation: Live-in position

Purpose of the Role
To manage the organisations financial operations, ensuring accurate reporting, effective financial control, statutory compliance, and sound financial management to support operational and strategic decision-making.

Key Responsibilities
Prepare and manage budgets, forecasts, cash-flow projections, and management accounts
Monitor and control expenditure in line with approved budgets
Ensure accurate and timely monthly financial reporting
Review daily financial operations including reconciliations (bank, creditors, debtors, cash, and payroll where applicable)
Manage cash flow, banking, payment runs, and working capital
Ensure compliance with statutory requirements including tax, VAT, COIDA, and related legislation
Maintain and enforce financial policies, procedures, and internal controls
Coordinate and manage the annual audit process and liaise with external auditors
Prepare financial reports for management, Board, or Trustees as required
Oversee donor reporting requirements, including supporting documentation and 18A certificate issuance where applicable
Review departmental expenditure and provide financial guidance to management
Oversee payroll and related reconciliations where applicable
Lead, manage, and develop the finance team to ensure effective performance and delivery

Minimum Requirements
BCom or BCompt (Bachelor of Commerce / Accounting Science) or equivalent qualification
Professional qualification advantageous (CA(SA), CIMA, ACCA, SAIPA or SAICA)
Minimum 5+ years experience in finance or accounting
At least 2 years experience in a management or supervisory role
Strong knowledge of South African tax and statutory requirements
Experience in budgeting, cash flow management, and audit processes
Proficiency in accounting systems and advanced Microsoft Excel

Skills and Competencies
Strong financial, analytical, and problem-solving skills
Excellent attention to detail with ability to meet strict deadlines
Strong understanding of internal controls and risk management
Good communication skills with ability to engage non-finance stakeholders
Hands-on, proactive, and solutions-driven approach
Strong planning, organisational, and people management skills

Desirable Experience
Background in an NPO, trust, conservation, or reserve environment
Experience improving and implementing finance processes and controls
Familiarity with BI reporting tools
Exposure to system integration and financial systems optimisation
Experience in Board or Trustee reporting

Suitable candidates who meet the above criteria are invited to submit their CV to apply for this role.