Finance Manager

Job title: Finance Manager

Reporting to: Head of Group Finance

Location: Cape Town

ALL STAFF APPOINTMENTS WILL BE MADE WITH DUE CONSIDERATION OF THE COMPANY’S EE TARGETS

WHAT WE DO

Lula is an innovative and human-focused FinTech company on a mission to help small businesses optimise their cash flow. Our purpose is to help SMEs manage their businesses better, faster, and more simply, so they can spend more time doing what they love.

If you’re looking for a new place to call ‘home’ that believes in the potential of the broader SME landscape in South Africa and a place where you’ll work with awesome people - then Lula’s the place for you!

We’re making business banking fast, human, Lula!

OUR VALUES

Collaborative - we’re a clan and work together as a team, always towards a common goal

Committed - we’re accountable and follow through no matter the challenge

Curious - we look for better ways to do things and make a positive difference

Connected - we stay close to, learn from and look to understand each other and our customers

Compassionate - we go out of our way to care about our colleagues, our customers and our community

OVERALL PURPOSE

This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic finance team working in a fast-paced fintech environment offering broad exposure to various finance responsibilities. Reporting to the Head of Group Finance, you will play a crucial role in developing and maintaining robust internal controls, ensuring accurate and timely reporting and navigating Lula through its Big 4 statutory audit.

In addition to being a key member of the Finance team, you will support cross-functional teams including Product, Tech, Data, and People Operations. Your role will also involve participating in high-impact activities such as assisting with the due diligence process that supports funding raises and optimising our advance management systems.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead and manage a small highly efficient team of Financial Accountants, providing guidance and support to achieve departmental objectives.
• Conduct detailed reviews of month-end accounts to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Oversee and guide the preparation of our monthly advance register.
• In collaboration with the Head of Group Finance, prepare monthly reporting and insights to the CEO.
• Review and ensure the accuracy of monthly, quarterly and annual reporting to shareholders, debt funders and joint venture partners.
• Manage Local and foreign supplier payments and monitor cash flow.
• Ensure compliance with tax regulations, including SARS submissions and addressing any queries.
• Identify and implement improvements to internal control.
• Coordinate and act as the primary contact for the statutory audit process.
• Review monthly payroll prepared by People Operations to ensure its accuracy.
• Drive initiatives to enhance existing automation and streamline financial recording and reporting.

Project Work (ad hoc):

• Serve as a finance business partner providing financial information, tools, analysis and insights to other business units. Challenge their assumptions, assist in making informed decisions, and drive business strategy.
• Source, analyse, and interpret relevant data, presenting findings to cross-functional teams. An example includes reviewing credit provisioning results and analysing performance metrics.
• Guide the development and implementation of IFRS accounting standards and disclosure including IFRS 9 ECL.

THE COMPETENCIES WE’RE AFTER

• Exceptional Leadership: Proven ability to inspire, mentor, and guide finance team members toward achieving departmental and company goals. Experience in fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment.
• Time Management: Excellent skills in managing self and prioritising tasks under tight deadlines. Proficient in creating and maintaining organised schedules and workflows.
• Financial Reporting Expertise: Proficiency in preparing accurate reports, analysing financial data, and effectively communicating financial information to various stakeholders.
• Effective Communication and Collaboration: Confident in communicating with stakeholders, presenting financial findings, and working collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
• Analytical and Problem-Solving Abilities: Strong analytical skills to interpret data, identify trends, and resolve issues in the reporting process.
• Self-Starter: Ability to drive change and improvements in a start-up environment, adapting to evolving controls and processes.
• Strong Interpersonal Skills: Proven history of fostering effective team dynamics and working collaboratively across departments.
• High Performance: Demonstrated track record of delivering quality results and achieving high performance in previous roles.

THE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE WE’RE LOOKING FOR

• Grade 12/Matric achieved
• CA (SA) qualification with 2-3 years experience as a Finance Manager
• Experience in a fast-paced financial services environment, demonstrating adaptability and agility
• Extensive experience in financial reporting and analysis
• Proficiency with Xero or similar accounting systems
• Proven experience in leading and developing a small team of Accountants
• Successful track record of managing audits through to completion
• Experience with SARS submissions and adherence to deadlines and regulatory requirements
• Advanced Excel skills, SQL expertise is a plus
• Previous experience in a start-up environment preferred

Please note that all appointments are subject to our background checking process, which may include Credit, Criminal and any other job inherent checks