Financial Controller (Permanent)

Job Title: Financial Controller Start Date: 2026-08-13 - 2026-09-12 Vacancy Type: Permanent PE006773 Sectors: Hospitality / Hotel Location: Eastern Cape , Grahamstown Salary: (Market related) Brief: 5-star|accounting|finance|financial accounting|financial controller|hospitality Our client in the Hospitality Industry is seeking a Financial Controller to join their 5-star establishment in Grahamstown/ Makhanda Skills 5-star accounting finance financial accounting financial controller hospitality Detail: Key Responsibilities 1. Financial Reporting & Analysis Prepare accurate and timely monthly reports and balance sheet reconciliations. Provide insightful analysis of financial data to inform strategic decision-making, identifying trends, risks, and opportunities. Prepare reports, ensuring variances against budget are investigated and explained to the Finance Manager and General Manager. 2. Budgeting & Forecasting Assist the Finance Manager in leading the annual budgeting process and periodic re-forecasting in collaboration with department heads and shareholders. Monitor financial performance against approved budgets, providing detailed variance analysis and recommending corrective actions. 3. Cash Management & Banking (Hands-On) Manage daily cash usage and liquidity by executing daily transfers to/from the Call Account to optimize interest earnings. Prepare and load all payments (creditors, salaries, and ad-hoc disbursements) on the banking platform for authorization. Compile and submit the daily deposit schedule to the Central Reservations Office to ensure accurate allocation of advance payments and deposits. Send weekly bank statements to the Group CFO for group-level oversight. 4. Reconciliations, Journals & Statutory Compliance Reconcile various Balance Sheet accounts (including bank accounts, accruals, prepayments, and inter-company loans) monthly, resolving discrepancies timeously. Prepare and enter monthly Journal Entries (accruals, provisions, depreciation, and reclasses) into the general ledger. Prepare, process, and reconcile group and intercompany transactions, ensuring all cross-entity balances are accurately recorded, settled timeously, and fully reconciled monthly. Prepare and submit VAT reconciliations (Input/Output) for monthly/bi-monthly SARS submissions, ensuring full compliance with South African tax legislation. Ensure full compliance with South African tax legislation (VAT, PAYE), statutory reporting requirements, and relevant labour regulations. Liaise with external auditors, local authorities, and government authorities as needed. 5. Accounts Payable, Receivable & Cost Control Keep a constant eye on Accounts Payable (AP) age analyses, flagging overdue accounts and high-risk balances to the Finance Manager. Prepare and remit various monthly invoices and proactively follow up on payment thereof. Supervise the Accounts Payables Clerk, ensuring they are diligently chasing outstanding debt and managing the guest ledger. Monitor departmental expenses and implement cost-saving initiatives without compromising service standards. Oversee stock control, purchasing controls, and cost management across all revenue-generating and support departments. 6. Operational & Administrative Controls Send out weekly exchange rates to all departments (Lodges, Reservations etc,) to ensure rate cards and POS systems are updated for international guests. Establish, maintain, and continuously improve robust internal control procedures across all departments. 7. Team Leadership & Development Lead, mentor, and develop the Finance and operations team. Foster a culture of accountability, integrity, and continuous improvement. Provide financial coaching and guidance to senior managers to enhance their financial literacy and accountability. Qualifications & Experience Essential Education: Relevant Degree or Diploma in Accounting, Finance, or a related field. Experience: Minimum 3–5 years of progressive finance experience, with at least 1–2 years in a supervisory role within a star hotel or luxury hospitality environment. Systems: Advanced proficiency in hotel financial management systems (e.g., Sage 300/Accpac, Protel, Opera PMS, Micros POS, Materials Control) and online banking platforms. Excel Skills: Advanced MS Excel skills for data analysis and reconciliations. Knowledge: Good understanding of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), South African VAT legislation, and hotel Personal Attributes Meticulous: Zero-tolerance for errors in reconciliations, payment loading, and reporting. Initiative-taking: A "hands-on," 'can-do' attitude with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment; actively hunts for missing invoices and follows up on outstanding payments. Leadership: Strong ability to influence, coach, and inspire cross-functional teams while supervising junior staff. Integrity: Unwavering commitment to confidentiality and ethical financial management. show more... For more information please contact: Nomzamo Mboyiya Apply