Finance Manager

Job title: Finance Manager

Role Purpose

To lead and coordinate the organisation’s financial management, accounting, reporting, treasury, payroll, compliance, risk management, and governance functions, ensuring accurate financial reporting, effective financial controls, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement of financial systems and processes in support of the MQA’s strategic objectives.

Key Performance Areas

Financial Strategy, Governance and Continuous Improvement: Implement and monitor the financial management strategy and operational plans. Develop, review and maintain financial policies, procedures, delegations of authority and standard operating procedures. Ensure compliance with legislative, regulatory and governance requirements. Drive continuous improvement of finance systems, processes and controls. Promote financial management best practices and operational efficiency. Ensure alignment of finance processes with organisational quality standards.

Financial Accounting and Reporting: Manage the preparation and review of monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports and financial statements. Ensure accurate recognition, classification, and reporting of financial transactions in accordance with GRAP and other applicable standards. Maintain the integrity of the general ledger and supporting reconciliations. Coordinate year-end financial reporting and audit preparation processes. Maintain complete, accurate and audit-ready financial records and supporting documentation. Prepare management reports and financial analyses to support decision-making.

Budgeting and Financial Planning: Coordinate budget planning, preparation, review and consolidation processes. Support the development and monitoring of operational and capital budgets. Analyse financial performance against budgets, forecasts, and strategic targets. Prepare and review expenditure and variance reports for management and projects. Verify budget availability before approval of payments and commitments. Provide financial information and recommendations to support strategic decision-making. Identify opportunities for cost optimisation and improved financial performance. Monitor project expenditure and cash flow projections against approved budgets.

Expenditure and Accounts Payable Management: Oversee supplier, project and operational payments. Review creditor reconciliations and payment schedules. Ensure all payments are valid, authorised, accurately recorded and free from duplication. Monitor expenditure against approved budgets. Ensure compliance with procurement policies, financial controls, and legislative requirements. Maintain effective creditor management practices.

Payroll Management and Financial Controls: Oversee payroll accounting, reconciliations and reporting processes. Review payroll journals and related control accounts. Ensure payroll transactions are processed accurately and timeously. Identify and resolve payroll discrepancies in collaboration with Human Resources. Maintain effective payroll controls and compliance with statutory requirements. Ensure appropriate allocation of payroll costs to relevant budget structures.

Treasury and Cash Management: Oversee bank reconciliations and cash management activities. Ensure timely and accurate reconciliation of operational and investment bank accounts. Monitor organisational cash flow and liquidity requirements. Optimise the management of surplus funds and investment returns. Authorise and monitor transfers between accounts where required. Strengthen controls over banking transactions and cash-handling processes.

Risk Management and Internal Control: Develop, implement and maintain financial risk registers and mitigation plans. Identify, assess and monitor financial and operational risks. Strengthen internal controls and governance processes. Promote fraud prevention and risk awareness across the finance function. Monitor emerging risks and implement corrective actions where necessary. Support organisational risk management objectives and compliance requirements.

Audit and Compliance: Coordinate responses to internal, external, forensic and specialised audits. Ensure timely resolution of audit findings and recommendations. Monitor compliance with the PFMA, Treasury Regulations, organisational policies and other applicable legislation. Maintain documentation and evidence required for audit purposes. Support the achievement and maintenance of positive audit outcomes.

Donor Funding Financial Management: Manage the financial administration and reporting of donor-funded projects. Review and process donor-funded transactions and allocations. Monitor donor budgets, expenditure and funding utilisation. Prepare donor financial reports and supporting schedules. Perform donor bank reconciliations and cash flow management. Participate in donor review meetings and provide financial performance updates. Support funding drawdown processes and compliance with donor requirements.

Quality and Continuous Improvement: Ensure compliance with organisational quality standards and procedures. Identify opportunities for process improvement and operational excellence. Implement corrective actions arising from audits, reviews and assessments. Monitor service delivery standards and implement improvements where required. Contribute to organisational effectiveness through continuous improvement initiatives.

Stakeholder Relationship Management: Build and maintain productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Provide financial guidance, advice and support to business units and management. Promote effective communication and collaboration across the organisation. Resolve finance related queries efficiently and professionally. Represent the Finance Unit on relevant committees and forums.

People Management: Manage employee performance and accountability within the unit. Ensure performance agreements and development plans are implemented and monitored. Coach, mentor and develop team members to achieve departmental objectives. Allocate resources and workloads effectively. Promote employee engagement, teamwork and a high-performance culture. Lead by example in living and promoting MQA values.

Key requirements: qualifications, experience and competencies:

Qualifications: National Senior Certificate (NSC) or National Certificate: Vocational (NCV) (NQF 4). A Bachelor’s Degree or Advanced Diploma (NQF Level 7) in Financial Management, Financial Accounting, Accounting Sciences, or a related accounting field is preferred. A Postgraduate Diploma or Honours Degree (NQF Level 8) in a relevant field will be an added advantage.

Experience: Minimum of eight (8) years’ relevant experience in financial management and reporting, including complex financial reconciliations, with at least three (3) to four (4) years at a supervisory level.

Competencies:

Knowledge: Financial management, reporting, and complex reconciliations. Financial contract management. GRAP standards and financial reporting. Accounting governance, controls, and compliance. Audit and risk management. Treasury, payroll, and accounts payable. Knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics GP (Great Plains) or a similar financial management system. PFMA, SDLA, Companies Act, B-BBEE Act, Treasury Regulations, and other applicable legislation.

Leanership opportunities

Skills: Attention to detail and accuracy. Advanced Microsoft Excel. Analytical and interpretative skills. Report writing. Verbal and written communication. Decision-making and problem-solving. Systematic and Organised approach. Time management and planning

Attributes: Integrity and ethical conduct. Self-motivated and proactive. Resilient and adaptable. Results-oriented with the ability to meet deadlines. Perseverance and commitment. People and stakeholder oriente