Mission/ Core purpose of the Job

The CFO acts as a chief financial advisor and strategic finance advisor, providing financial support to the CEO & senior management while overseeing the financial operations of the company and making decisions to improve the overall financial health of the company.

The role ensures the financial growth, profitability and viability of the organisation through building confidence in the investor community, driving organic & inorganic growth, appropriate administration of the business, effective working capital management, and proactively managing the financial performance of the company.

The Chief Finance Officer leads setting up of financial systems and structures and assumes full responsibility and authority for operations of the function. Additionally, leads, coordinates and manages the financial resources, ensuring that operational efficiencies and cost optimization strategies are developed in line with OpCo objectives, and is also responsible to produce accurate financial statements to report to key stakeholders.  The role is fully accountable for consolidated financial and non-financial reporting for the company

The role leads teams across the below four sub functions:

• Corporate Performance Management
• Tax & Transfer Pricing
• Treasury & Cash Management
• Finance Operations

The role entails working under the guidance of Group CFO Digital and Fintech, and maintains regular liaison with Group DigiFin Finance team

The Chief Finance Officer reports to FinCo CEO and is supported by Managers

Main Job Functions:

Strategy Development and Implementation

• Lead creation of the functional strategy aligned with the overarching business goals and in line with group mandate
• Ensure effective implementation of the strategy by means of developing and providing direction, structure, frameworks, models, plans and roadmaps
• Lead regular review of the functional strategy and roadmap to ensure its alignment with the changing dynamics of the internal and external ecosystem

Staff Leadership and Management

• Build and manage a high performing team by providing leadership, role clarity, training and career development
• Source, induct and manage talent in accordance with legislative guidelines
• Continually develop a culture of strong collaboration and effective team working
• Ensure open communication channels with staff and implement change management interventions where necessary
• Provide definition of roles, responsibilities, individual goals and performance objectives for the team
• Set KPIs and provide regular performance feedback through a well-defined and implemented performance review program
• Develop and implement a training plan in order to build and develop skills within the team
• Encourage knowledge transfer through the implementation of a knowledge transfer plan and drive continuous improvement philosophy through the knowledge transfer plan
• Performance manage resources in accordance with HR policy and legislation where necessary
• Actively participate in leadership team and develop skills of own team
• Promote a ‘Fintech centric’ and ‘partnership approach’ to develop strong relationships with other working groups and ensure adherence to Group governance

Governance

Strategic Meetings

• Hold strategic meetings, ensuring relevant participation from subordinates and provide guidance and input in the various discussions
• Lead OpCo wide transformation initiatives, elicit inputs from relevant parties
• Lead implementation of adequate risk mitigation and controls
• Oversee evaluation baseline of Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and KPIs
• Approve new initiatives and where outside of DoA, drive approval from CEO / Group
• Provide relevant budget for internal projects
• Review proposal on change initiatives SLA, policies and procedures and oversee execution of the same

Escalations

• Escalate issues that will result in severe time, scope, productivity, and cost or resource impact to CEO / Group team
• Manage and provide solutions to escalations that have multiple processes / functions impact on critical path of service delivery

Function Tactical

• Review all projects initiated in the function
• Review and finalise objectives, targets and budgets for the function
• Review key risks, issues and dependencies and set mitigation actions
• Develop and manage budgets
• Sign-off / make decisions regarding tactical changes
• Chair tactical meetings

Performance

• Monitor performance and alignment with OpCo as well as group strategy
• SLA approval and exception performance review

Reporting

• Report on a monthly basis to the CEO relating to progress made within the function and in accordance with the measurement metrics set by the organisation
• Report on an ad hoc basis on specific projects, as required

Budgets

• Manage function’s budgets in line with business objectives
• Manage project initiative budgets in line with business objectives
• Ensure that the cost of operations are reduced, in line with a least cost operating strategy stemming from the business drivers

Operational Delivery

Functional Leadership:

As the functional leader of the Finance vertical, the role is accountable to:

• Monitor and align the direction, strategy and results of the Finance vertical, collectively and as individual work areas in the OpCo, ensuring that the Group guidelines are duly complied with
• Provide feedback to Group CFO on current process’ effectiveness and efficiency
• Hold meetings with other OpCo CFOs and Group CFO team to suggest internal process/work stream improvement techniques
• Lead and drive an integrated solution development and problem-solving philosophy across the function
• Monitor true-value metrics to measure the impact and benefit of the function to OpCo and in turn, Group FinCo. Drive continuous improvement across all verticals
• Generate visibility for the true-value contributions of the function within Group FinCo and Opco to drive greater service acceptance and adoption

Delivery Leadership:

As the delivery leader of the Finance vertical, the role is accountable for the following work area outcomes:

Strategy & Analytics, Budgeting, Data and Reporting

• Oversee implementation of policies, procedures and guidelines set forth by group Finance team and ensure compliance with the same
• Lead, control and establish governance to manage the consolidated OpCo Finance strategy, budgets and financials
• Cascade the Group Fintech budget, analytics and reporting framework in the Function
• Deliver results under the guidance of the Group CFO Digital & Fintech, abiding by all the set directives and regularly reporting compliance

Financial & Procurement Operations

• Act as chief advisor and strategist providing needed support to the OpCo CEO with respect to the identification of financial risk and long term financial effect of business decisions (through Financial Scenario Analysis)
• Representation and management of specific Opco related committees – Risk & Audit Committee, Capex committee
• Oversee maintenance of integrity of the financial data, financial processes, procedures and financial controls in line with established accounting processes, regulations governing the business and internal control policies
• Lead the Forecasting, budgeting and  financial planning process for the OpCo to ensure all budgets adequately reflect periodic resource requirements and revenue estimates for the business, communicate the same to the Group
• Responsible for the review, approval and / or update of business plans, budgets and forecasts of the function
• Advise and provide support for the resolution of issues in forums such as Board meetings, Operational Review, etc
• Support the OpCo CEO with funding requirements where required by liaising with external Financial Services organizations as may be required
• Manage cash flow of the company ensuring generation of sufficient funds for day to day operations and CAPEX spend; monitor actual spending and ensure financial compliance with all business transactions
• Ensure that accounting KPIs are reported to Group FinCo regularly and any deviations from the budget are reported
• Review and Approve all finance & accounting transactions and ensure processes/procedures are effective and comply with regulatory and statutory requirements and Group Finance policies and directives
• Implement tax risk management strategies and review all computations and submissions in alignment with the risk framework
• Ensure adequate training is provided on tax reporting cloud systems
• Handle all transfer pricing controversies and disputes, resolving/escalating issues, as required. Additionally, oversee preparation of transfer pricing documents for all intra-group transactions and receive sign-off from group team
• Review monthly financial reports and budgets for the Group Exco to support the financial decision making process
• Oversee local procurement activities and resolve issues, if any. In case of business critical challenges, escalate to Group Finance team
• Other duties, as assigned

Managerial / Supervisory Responsibilities

• Accountable for the morale, performance, and development of the function’s human capital
• Approve work structure process before adoption by the team
• Coach and mentor direct reports
• Ensure assigned team is led, motivated, and rewarded to achieve KPA’s
• Ensure that coaching / mentoring programs and personal development plans are in place for all staff members
• Ensure effective management of diversity among personnel in the function
• Identify staff training and development needs and implement necessary actions
• Motivate and manage individuals to perform at the highest level, especially in terms of delivery and meeting target deadlines
• Possess the authority, presence, and integrity to command respect from colleagues and from external contacts
• Provide career development for direct reports (counselling, coaching, identifying key performance areas, career planning, and goal setting)

Provide guidance and leadership ensuring future focus and current efficiency

Job Requirements (Education, Experience and Competencies)

Education:

• Minimum of 4 years tertiary degree (B.Sc. Accounting / BCom Accounting, or a related discipline)
• Professional qualification – CA /CFA/ACCA (required)
• MBA or Masters (advantageous)

Experience:

• Minimum 10-12 years relevant experience with at least 5 years in a senior management role or in a similar position
• Experience in Fintech, banking or Financial Services  is preferred
• Successful track record as a senior management professional in delivering exceptional business growth & financial results
• Proficient in driving company’s financial performance, business growth and platform monetization
• Experience working in a global/multinational enterprise with a good understanding emerging markets
• Demonstrated track record as a relationship builder.
• Strong interpersonal and networking skills, including the ability to develop and maintain relationships across a global organization and with the investor and analyst communities
• Proven ability to provide credible, actionable advice and counsel to senior leaders
• Credibility and gravitas, both with external and internal constituencies

Competencies:

Functional Knowledge:

• Financial Planning and Forecasting
• Financial Modelling, Analytics and Reporting
• Corporate Performance Management
• Accounting Standards and Procedures
• IFRS and GAAP
• Capital Structure and Liquidity Management
• Credit Management
• Working Capital Management
• Treasury Policy
• Financial Controls & Risk Management
• Tax Accounting & Optimization
• Investor Relations Strategy
• Business case evaluation
• Capex valuations

Skills