Overview
Head of Finance Jobs in City of Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa at Catherine Deane
Title: Head of Finance
Company: Catherine Deane
Location: City of Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Role Overview
Catherine Deane is seeking a commercially minded and detail-oriented Group Financial Controller (or Head of Finance level) to lead and strengthen the financial management of our global business.
This role is responsible for overseeing all financial operations across the group, ensuring accuracy, visibility, and discipline in financial reporting, cash flow management, and planning. In addition to core financial control responsibilities, this individual will play a key role in improving systems, supporting strategic decision-making, and building a structured, scalable financial environment.
Working closely with leadership and cross-functional teams in Hong Kong, the UK, and South Africa, this role requires both strong technical expertise and the ability to operate proactively in a growing and evolving business.
After reviewing the area below, please send your CV to [email protected] if you feel you are a suitable candidate for this position.
Key Responsibilities
1. Financial Operations & Cash Flow Management
- Oversee all day-to-day accounting operations across the group
- Monitor and review daily cash flow, ensuring accuracy and completeness
- Maintain and update cash flow tracking and projections
- Manage intercompany funding and transfers across entities
- Lead receivables management, working closely with sales teams on overdue accounts
- Oversee payables, ensuring timely, accurate, and well-controlled payments across all entities
- Identify and assess financing opportunities where relevant
- Coordinate and lead regular cash flow review meetings with management
2. Financial Reporting & Control
- Lead the preparation and review of monthly management accounts for all entities
- Prepare consolidated group P&L and analyse performance vs budget and prior periods
- Ensure all financial transactions are accurately recorded, documented, and compliant
- Deliver clear and insightful financial reporting to the management team on a bi-weekly and monthly basis
- Review stock valuation and ensure accuracy of inventory reporting
- Drive improvements in reporting quality, timelines, and transparency
- Establish and maintain strong financial controls across the group
3. Planning, Budgeting & Forecasting
- Lead the annual budgeting process, including revenue, cost of sales, and operating expenses
- Develop monthly P&L forecasts aligned with business plans and sales channels
- Prepare and maintain rolling cash flow forecasts
- Regularly review actual performance against budget and provide variance analysis
- Update and refine forecasts throughout the year in line with business performance
- Support leadership with financial insights to inform strategic decision-making
4. Audit, Tax & Compliance
- Lead the year-end audit process across all entities
- Liaise with external auditors, including fee negotiation and audit coordination
- Ensure accurate preparation and review of financial statements
- Review tax computations and returns prepared by external advisors
- Ensure ongoing compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements across jurisdictions
5. Systems, Process & Continuous Improvement
- Evaluate and improve accounting systems, processes, and workflows
- Drive greater structure, consistency, and efficiency across financial operations
- Implement best practices to enhance visibility, traceability, and control
- Support the business in building scalable financial infrastructure for growth
6. Team & Cross-Functional Support
- Manage and support finance-related activities across regions
- Collaborate closely with leadership and operational teams
- Provide financial guidance to support business decisions and initiatives
- Contribute to company-wide projects and strategic planning
7. Human Resources & Payroll Support
- Oversee payroll processes for UK & South Africa
- Maintain personnel records and ensure compliance with local requirements
- Support employment contract administration and updates
- Manage pension enrolment and contributions for UK employees
8. Additional Responsibilities
- Oversee associated entities and related accounts
- Review costing, freight, duties, and supplier terms
- Monitor and review key operational costs (rent, insurance, IT, etc.)
- Identify cost-saving opportunities and efficiency improvements
Mindset & Ways of Working
At Catherine Deane, we are building a business grounded in transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement. This role plays a critical part in shaping a disciplined and structured financial environment across the group.
We are looking for someone who:
- Operates with a growth mindset, continuously improving systems and processes
- Is highly collaborative, working effectively across international teams
- Takes ownership and accountability, with strong attention to detail and follow-through
- Demonstrates high integrity and honesty, acting with professionalism and sound judgment in all financial matters
- Maintains ethical standards and discretion, particularly when handling sensitive or confidential information
- Is proactive and solution-oriented, identifying issues early and addressing them constructively
- Values clarity, visibility, and traceability in all financial processes
- Brings structure and discipline, ensuring consistency and accuracy
- Communicates clearly and confidently, especially when handling challenges or discrepancies
- Is open to feedback and continuous refinement, contributing to a culture of improvement
- This role requires someone comfortable working in an environment where systems and processes are actively evolving and being strengthened over time.
Please email your CV to Sarah at [email protected]