Financial Controller (Remote)
Somewhere
πΏπ¦ Hirezar Summary for South African Applicants
This fully remote full time position at Somewhere is open to applicants from South Africa. The estimated monthly salary is R46,250 β R64,750 ZAR. This role is suited for mid-level professionals. As a remote position, you can work from anywhere in South Africa β whether you're based in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, or a smaller town.
Job Description
Role Overview: The Financial Controller
We are a fast-growing, project-based creative firm specializing in high-end design and digital services. We are seeking a hands-on, systems-orientedControllerto own our end-to-end financial operations. This is not a passive "bookkeeping" role; we are looking for a strategic financial leader who can translate complex project data into actionable business intelligence.
Your mission is to ensure our "financial engine" runs with total precision. You will be responsible for everything from maintaining clean, audit-ready books to building sophisticated job-costing models that protect our margins. You will act as the primary financial partner to the CEO, providing the data-driven clarity needed to scale from $2M to $10M+.
Key Responsibilities
I. Financial Operations & Reporting
* Full-Cycle Accounting:Own the monthly, quarterly, and year-end close processes, ensuring 100% accuracy in P&L statements, Balance Sheets, and Cash Flow reports.
* System Optimization:Maintain and improve ourQuickBooks Online (QBO)environment, ensuring the Chart of Accounts is structured for high-growth scalability.
* Accuracy & Reconciliation:Perform rigorous reconciliations across multiple accounts, ensuring all financial data is current and verified.
II. Job Costing & Project Profitability
* Margin Protection:Build and manage detailed job-costing systems for all active projects. You will track budget-to-actual costs at the "molecular" level.
* Efficiency Auditing:Identify margin inefficiencies, cost overruns, and scope creep. You will partner with Project Managers to maintain strict financial discipline on every deliverable.
* Complex Allocation:Ensure that labor, materials, and contractor fees are accurately allocated across a diverse portfolio of projects.
III. Strategic Cash Flow & Forecasting
* Rolling Forecasts:Develop and maintain 13-week rolling cash flow forecasts to ensure leadership has visibility into future liquidity.
* Risk Mitigation:Proactively identify cash flow risks and project shortfalls, providing recommendations for mitigation before they impact operations.
* Growth Planning:Support the CEO with financial modeling for new business units and headcount planning.
IV. Vendor & Payment Oversight
* Workflow Management:Oversee the end-to-end AP/AR lifecycle, implementing approval workflows that ensure security and efficiency.
* Inventory & Purchasing:Track high volumes of material purchases and contractor invoices, verifying accuracy against project specs before payment.
V. Systems & Process Improvement
* Tech Stack Integration:Seamlessly integrate financial data with our operational tools, includingMonday.com,HoneyBook, and other project management platforms.
* SOP Documentation:Establish and enforce scalable Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all financial touchpoints across sales, ops, and finance.
Who You Are
Required Experience
* Project Accounting Background:5+ years of experience in a Controller or Senior Accounting role, specifically within project-based industries (Construction, Interior Design, Agency, or Real Estate).
* QBO Expert:Advanced proficiency in QuickBooks Online with a proven ability to "clean up" and optimize legacy systems.
* Forecasting Specialist:Strong experience building complex cash flow models and financial dashboards from scratch.
* Advanced Spreadsheets:Expert-level Excel/Google Sheets skills (pivots, lookups, complex modeling).
Skills & Mindset
* The Operator Mindset:You don't just report the numbers; you look for the story they tell and propose solutions to improve them.
* High-Volume Capability:Comfortable managing multiple projects with varying budgets, timelines, and vendor requirements simultaneously.
* Systems Thinker:You enjoy designing workflows that connect creative teams with financial results.
* Exceptional English:Professional fluency in written and verbal English is essential for communicating with US-based leadership and stakeholders.
What Success Looks Like
* Flawless Close:Delivering accurate monthly financials within the first 5 business days of the month.
* Zero Surprises:Providing leadership with a clear, proactive view of cash flow 90 days out.
* Profit Visibility:Every project has a real-time profitability score that Project Managers can use to drive decisions.
* Systemic Efficiency:Financial tasks that used to be manual are now automated through your integrations with Monday.com and HoneyBook.
Why Join Us?
* High Autonomy:You are the lead financial architect for a scaling business.
* Stable Partnership:We value long-term stability and are looking for a Controller to grow with the firm for years to come.
* Impact:Your work directly dictates our ability to invest in new growth and creative initiatives.
Tips for South African Applicants
Timezone Advantage
South Africa (SAST, UTC+2) overlaps well with European business hours and has a few hours of overlap with US East Coast. Mention your timezone flexibility in your application.
Salary in Context
At R46,250/month, this role is competitive with the average South African remote salary. The USD equivalent ($2,500/mo) benefits from the favourable exchange rate.
Application Tips
Tailor your CV to international standards β use a clean format, highlight remote work experience, and include your English proficiency. Many SA applicants succeed by emphasising their strong work ethic and cultural adaptability.
Load Shedding Preparedness
If you're applying for a remote role, having a backup power solution (UPS, inverter, or generator) and mobile data as a backup internet connection shows employers you're prepared for South Africa's infrastructure challenges.
About Somewhere
Somewhere is a company in the Recruitment & Staffing industry that hires remote workers from South Africa. They currently have 685 open positions on Hirezar. View all Somewhere jobs β