[Hiring] Chief Financial Officer @Ajpersonnel

Role Description

Excellent career opportunity for a CFO within the education sector to ensure the financial integrity, liquidity and capital discipline of the company.

Qualifications

• Professional qualification: CA(SA)
• 8 - 12 Years’ experience in a financial management role: education sector exposure advantageous but not essential
• A commercial track record beyond accounting or audit
• Demonstrated multi-entity consolidation and ownership of an external audit
• Demonstrated cash and working-capital management in a constrained, turnaround or high-growth-strain setting
• Demonstrated financial modelling, budgeting, and reforecasting owned personally
• Demonstrated hands-on leadership of a lean Finance team
• Willing to commute to Head Office regularly and occasional travel to campuses across the country
• Preference for Johannesburg, Bloemfontein or Cape Town -based candidates

Requirements

• Lead the Finance Department and ensure efficient financial operations of all business units in the portfolio
• Oversee accounting, budgeting, cash flow management, audit, payroll, billing, and financial compliance in accordance with financial operational requirements
• Manage and oversee the financial consolidation process across all business units
• Present financial statements that are accurate, complete, and timely, in full compliance with IFRS and applicable South African regulatory requirements
• Ensure robust internal controls and risk management practices are implemented and standardised across the Group
• Provide oversight and recommendations in terms of capital raising requirements
• Contribute to assessing the financial viability of potential mergers and acquisitions
• Responsible for reporting to Exco and the Board on the financial activities of the business
• Translate strategic initiatives into financial models and execution plans
• Support the CEO and Chief Strategy Officer in: Growth planning, new school rollouts/expansion and pricing and revenue strategies
• Develop financial models to support decision-making, expansion, and scenario planning
• Conduct ratio analysis to provide more comprehensive financial oversight and support informed decision-making
• Analyse profitability, cost structures, and operational efficiencies across business units
• Present and provide clear financial insights to guide decision-making of the Executive team and Board
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual management reports, including variance analysis and performance dashboards on both a division basis and a consolidated basis
• Own the 13-week rolling cash forecast at group and entity level, maintained weekly
• Own banking relationships, bank mandates, and the payment authorisation matrix
• Develop funding solutions for new projects and the expansion of existing schools
• Perform financial due diligence for new school acquisitions, greenfield developments, or partnerships
• Evaluate Capex requirements, cost projections, fee structures, and projected returns for new schools
• Assess affordability and sustainability of expansion plans using long term financial modelling and recommend the most optimal financing options
• Collaborate with other departments to ensure expansion decisions are aligned with strategic goals
• Ensure compliance with South African regulations and expected governance standards including tax/return requirements
• Manage annual audits and liaise with external Auditors
• Implement processes to mitigate financial risk, including debt management, covenant monitoring, and insurance oversight
• Participate in any due diligence processes and close out finance related findings including updated finance policies, standard operating procedures and training
• Provide financial support and strategic insights to the Executive team and Board
• Communicate financial performance and key risks in a clear, accessible manner to non-financial Stakeholders
• Engage with potential Lenders and/or Investors such as banks, funders, and financial institutions when required

Application Process

Only if you meet the minimum job requirements and experience as mentioned above, you may submit a detailed updated CV.

• Please Apply Online and complete your registration via our website to enable and protect you as a candidate and to accept the new POPIA terms and conditions.
• This will then create your permanent profile with which you can apply for all jobs as advertised by AJ PERSONNEL.
• However, you may remove your profile from AJ PERSONNEL when you are no longer in the job market.
• Please take note that the applicants who do not adhere to the minimum requirements will not be considered for the respective position.
• Note our clients may expire jobs at their own discretion.
• AJ PERSONNEL will only respond to shortlisted candidates.
• If you have not received a response within two (2) weeks from applying, your application was then unsuccessful for that specific position, however your profile remains on our system for future opportunities.