Finance Manager (Remote SA)

About the RoleOur client is seeking a hands-on Finance Manager to own and execute the company’s finance operations from the ground up. This role is not just strategic—it’s highly operational. You will set up finance systems, manage day-to-day accounting, and provide actionable insights that directly influence business decisions.

This is an operator role—you’ll be rolling up your sleeves to implement processes, ensure accurate reporting, and drive improvements in cash flow, vendor management, and financial control.

Key ResponsibilitiesOwn the Books: Set up and manage accounting from scratch in Xero; maintain the general ledger, reconcile accounts, and execute monthly closes.

Accounts Payable & Vendor Management: Oversee supplier payments, enforce approval workflows, negotiate terms, and optimize vendor relationships.

Cash Flow & Liquidity Management: Build and maintain 13-week cash flow forecasts, track runway, identify risks, and recommend immediate actions.

Financial Modeling & Scenario Planning: Create short- and long-term models, unit economics dashboards, and scenario analyses to guide operational decisions.

Reporting & Actionable Insights: Deliver monthly management reports including P&L, balance sheet, cash flow, and KPIs, with recommendations for improvement.

Systems, Controls & Processes: Design and implement practical finance policies, close checklists, and internal controls suitable for a lean, growing business.

Compliance Coordination: Partner with external accountants and advisors to ensure timely tax, payroll, and statutory filings.

Cross-Functional Execution: Collaborate with leadership and department heads to budget, track spend, improve margins, and embed finance as an operational partner.

Multi-Entity & Multi-Currency Management: Manage financial operations across multiple entities and currencies, including consolidations, intercompany transactions, and FX considerations.

Required QualificationsBased in South Africa with full-time availability.

4+ years of hands-on accounting/finance experience, including full ownership of bookkeeping and monthly close.

Proficiency in Xero.

Strong Excel or Google Sheets skills, including cash flow forecasting, scenario modeling, and reporting.

Experience managing AP cycles, supplier payments, and approvals.

Proven experience working across multiple entities and currencies, including consolidations, intercompany accounting, and FX exposure.

Process-oriented and able to build operational systems and controls in a lean environment.

Strong communicator capable of translating financial data into actionable recommendations.

Nice to HaveExperience in high-growth startups or SMBs.

Exposure to investment tracking or fundraising environments.

Familiarity with budgeting tools or lightweight BI platforms.

Tools UsedXero – AccountingExcel / Google Sheets – Financial modeling, reporting, and cash flow management