Our Client is seeking a Senior Finance Controller / Senior Accountant (Financial Services) to take full ownership of the accounting and financial control function for its South African operations, based in Cape Town.

This role is hands-on and control-focused, with approximately 75% accounting oversight and 25% tax and compliance. It is not a CFO or strategic finance role. The primary objective is to build and maintain a robust internal financial control centre, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and regulatory compliance within a transaction-heavy financial services environment.

You will supervise outsourced accounting providers, strengthen reconciliation and reporting processes, and serve as the primary finance liaison with tax advisors, auditors, and regulators.

Accounting & Financial Control

Own and supervise the full accounting cycle, currently managed by outsourced providers.
Ensure accurate and timely month-end close and reliable financial reporting.
Strengthen and maintain reconciliation processes across CRM systems, payment gateways, insurance partners, and bank statements.
Own cash control, including daily cash balances, payment processing, and transfer monitoring.
Allocate shared costs across multiple entities and projects within the group structure.
Work closely with development teams to improve financial reporting, data extraction, and system reliability.

Tax, Compliance & Regulatory

Monitor changes in financial and tax legislation and ensure timely implementation.
Coordinate with external tax advisors, translating tax opinions into practical operational actions.
Monitor VAT and other tax obligations, supporting tax forecasting and compliance.
Ensure compliance with local financial regulations and internal control standards.
Develop, maintain, and update internal financial policies and corporate documentation.
Support audits and regulatory interactions, including preparation and regulator engagement.

Essential Experience & Skills

5+ years’ experience in accounting or financial control within financial services (fintech, lending, banking preferred).
Strong practical knowledge of South African accounting and tax, including VAT.
Proven experience supervising or leading accountants, including outsourced providers.
Experience operating in a regulated environment.
Solid understanding of cash flow management in high-volume, transaction-driven businesses.
Ability to work directly with tax advisors and implement recommendations effectively.
Strong reconciliation, controls, and risk-management mindset.
Fluent in English (written and verbal).

Nice to Have

Experience in microfinance or consumer lending.
Experience preparing for or supporting regulatory audits.
Professional qualification such as CA(SA), ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent.
Experience transitioning from outsourced to in-house accounting.
Experience working within a multi-entity group structure.