Financial Controller
Sataya · City of Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Apply & track with Apply EdgeFinancial Controller | Nutraceutical & Consumer Health | Hands-On Operational Finance Leadership | Hybrid
Requirements
Approximately 4+ years of relevant Financial Controller or financial accounting experience, including significant manufactured inventory. BCom Accounting, BCom Financial Accounting or equivalent preferredSataya is representing a growing South African health and wellness business that develops, markets and distributes nutraceutical and complementary health products . It sells through retail, wholesale, e-commerce and international channels, and operates across multiple entities and currencies, including a UK entity.The business is looking for an experienced, hands-on Financial Controller to own the day-to-day operational finance function, lead a small finance team and work closely with the CFO. This is not a purely reporting or management role. The right person will get into the detail, own the numbers, spot issues early and bring practical solutions to the CFO rather than just flagging problems.Experience in a business carrying significant manufactured inventory is a key requirement. The successful candidate needs to be comfortable with inventory accounting, COGS, stock movements, adjustments, write-offs, returns, stock counts and reconciliations.Key Responsibilities1) Financial Accounting & Month-EndOwn the month-end close and consistently meet agreed deadlinesEnsure financial transactions are recorded accurately and on timeReview the general ledger, income statement and balance sheetPrepare or review journals, accruals and provisionsEnsure balance sheet accounts are fully reconciled and supportedInvestigate discrepancies and unusual movements rather than simply reporting themPrepare the numbers and analysis that support the CFO's monthly management reporting2) Banking, Cash & Working CapitalReview monthly reconciliations for foreign currency and local South African bank accountsReview weekly payment schedules for accuracy and supporting documentationPrepare and maintain rolling monthly cash-flow forecasts covering debtor receipts, creditor payments, inventory purchases and foreign currency flowsUpdate forecasts for actuals and known commitments, and flag potential shortfalls or funding requirements earlyOversee debtors and creditors, including ageing, collections, reconciliations, supplier statements and disputes3) Inventory & Cost AccountingOwn the financial side of inventory accounting and reconciliationReview stock movements, COGS, adjustments, write-offs and returnsMake sure inventory is accurately reflected in the financial records, and that stock issues are identified and resolved promptly4) VAT, Statutory & External AdvisersPrepare or review VAT information and reconciliations for the South African and UK entitiesEnsure statutory submissions are accurate and completed on timeLiaise with external accountants, tax advisers and auditors as requiredSupport audit and independent review requirements5) Sales CommissionsCalculate sales representative commissionsValidate calculations against sales reports and approved commission structures6) Systems, Controls & Process ImprovementMaintain the financial integrity and accuracy of Sage IntacctInvestigate and resolve accounting and system issuesEnsure transactions from third-party platforms are recorded accuratelyIdentify practical ways to simplify, improve and automate finance processes7) Finance Team LeadershipManage and support the finance team, allocating responsibilities and monitoring deadlinesProvide guidance, coaching and training, with regular performance check-insStay close enough to the detail to step in where required, while keeping processing accurate and timelyIdeal Candidate ProfileEssentialStrong Financial Controller or financial accounting background, with approximately 4+ years of relevant experience (depth and relevance matter more than years alone)Proven month-end close and balance sheet control experienceStrong inventory accounting experience in a business carrying significant manufactured stock, including COGS, stock adjustments, write-offs, returns and reconciliationsCash-flow forecasting and working capital management experienceExperience managing or supervising junior finance staffA sound understanding of debtors, creditors, VAT and bankingA high level of ownership, accuracy and attention to detailStrongly PreferredSage Intacct experienceMulti-currency and multi-entity accountingBackground in FMCG, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, food, consumer products or wholesale and distributionRetail, wholesale or e-commerce exposurePower BI or similar reporting toolsQualificationBCom Accounting, BCom Financial Accounting or equivalent preferred. Practical, commercial and operational capability matters more than qualifications alonePersonal StyleTakes ownership without waiting to be told, and can be trusted to meet deadlines without being chasedChallenges numbers that don't make sense and investigates properly before escalatingBrings recommendations and practical solutions, not just problemsHas strong professional integrity and is comfortable communicating difficult informationUnderstands that stock is a core finance responsibility as well as an operational oneIs commercially curious about what's selling, where margins are moving and whyWorks independently, manages competing deadlines and flexes when month-end, audit or other peak periods require itCommunicates clearly with non-finance colleagues and handles difficult conversations professionallyCan lead a small team while staying hands-on and involved in the detailWhy Our ClientA growing health and wellness business with retail, wholesale, e-commerce and international channelsA genuinely hands-on role with ownership of the operational finance function and direct access to the CFOMulti-entity and multi-currency exposure, including a UK entityA structured performance incentive linked to financial control, reporting, inventory control, working capital and process improvement, with final payout mechanics to be confirmedHybrid working, with a structured handover from the outgoing Financial ControllerThis represents a confidential search conducted on behalf of our client. Further details will be shared with shortlisted candidates only.