The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is a leading scientific and technology research organisation that research, develops, localises and diffuses technologies to accelerate socio-economic prosperity in South Africa. The organisations work contributes to industrial development and supports a capable state.
Financial Manager
About The Job
The CSIR has a vacancy for Financial Manager in the Smart Society division. The successful incumbent will form part of the Next Generation and Institution (NGEI) management team, supporting them with financial information, analysis and advise for strategic decision making. They will provide input into the cluster strategy, identify business opportunities, feasibility determination and have overall accountability for financial management and the management of the financial staff within the NGEI cluster. This position is based in Pretoria.
Key Responsibilities
- Guide and assist the unit with budgeting and forecasting processes;
- Prepare and provide monthly financial reports for the monitoring of the success of the business plan implementation;
- Develop, prepare and provide standard and on-request financial reports and data analysis of unit activities or stakeholder financial contract information;
- Prepare stakeholder specific reports, including cash flow reports and forecasts for the National Integrated Cyberinfrastructure System Centre (NICIS) and participate in NICIS management meetings
- Obtain an understanding of the unit financial environment by pro-actively analysing and interpreting data and reports;
- Review customer and supplier agreements to mitigate risk and maximise cash flow;
- Implementation of effective contract management process that ensures compliance with IFRS 15, cost control and that invoicing is done timely and in line with contract.
- Identify and determine the impact of stakeholder requirements on financial reporting for timeous and accurate submission of financial information;
- Review planned purchases of property, plant and equipment to assess financial risks, availability of funding, payment terms and conditions, legislative requirements for importing and the return on investment;
- Participate in Procurement Selection Committees
- Review classification and useful life of assets to ensure adherence to accounting policies;
- Assist with the integration of new initiatives into and out of the CSIR and the transfer of initiatives between units within the CSIR;
- Attend initiative specific meetings with industry partners to provide financial feedback against the programme budget, deliverables and objectives;
- Ensure that customer contracts are accurately captured and administered in the financial system;
- Manage, direct and advise relevant staff on month end, quarter end and year end processes;
- Create awareness of relevant financial legislative and policy changes to assist management with the implementation of financial policies and procedures, legislation, accounting framework and audit requirements;
- Review and improve unit financial business processes and the financial internal control environment;
- Manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders, customers and suppliers;
- Prepare, assist and provide process descriptions and other financial information requirements to assist the auditors in meeting the set deadlines;
- Manage staff to ensure performance of duties in accordance with job requirements;
- Evaluate segregation of duties continuously to ensure the control environment remains intact;
- Identify gaps for training or development of staff to assist with skills retention and succession planning.
- A BCom Honours degree or equivalent, with at least seven years working experience in a complex and multi-dimensional financial department with at least five years at management level.
- Chartered Accountant (SA) and CIMA qualifications would be an advantage;
- Excellent experience in analysing and interpreting financial data and complex financial reporting;
- In depth experience in dealing with various internal and external stakeholders such as auditors, suppliers, industry funders, etc;
- Understanding of legislation applicable to a state-owned entity and working experience in such an entity will be beneficial;
- Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills;
- Ability to make informed decisions, attention to detail and a high level of accuracy;
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to develop solutions to complex financial issues;
- Very effective organisational skills and advanced Microsoft Office suite skills;
- Outstanding knowledge and ability to apply accounting principles;
- Excellent knowledge of statutory requirements, legislation, policies and procedures typically relevant in the area of responsibility;
- Exceptional ability to assess risk within the area of responsibility and skills to recommend and implement appropriate internal control systems;
- Ability to analyse financial data and to communicate the results to a diverse group;
- Ability to manage, evaluate and develop people;
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to have effective working relationships with people at all levels in the organisation;
- Excellent verbal, written, listening, presentation and communication skills;
- Ability to work/function well within teams with sensitivity to diverse cultures;
- Sound work ethic, time management skills and the ability to manage stress.
PLEASE NOTE THAT FEEDBACK WILL BE GIVEN TO SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES ONLY.
For more info, please contact the CSIR Recruitment Centre on 012841 7656 or email us at Recruitmentinfo@csir.co.za
The CSIR is an equal opportunity employer. As such, it is committed to the employment Equity Act and will through the filling of this vacancy, give preference to candidates from designated groups in terms of the Employment Equity Act. By applying for this position at the CSIR, the applicant understands, and agrees that the CSIR may solicit a credit and criminal report from registered credit bureau and/or South African Police Services (in relation to positions that requires trust and honesty and/or entail the handling of cash or finances), and may also verify the applicants educational qualification and employment history. The CSIR reserves the right to remove the advertisement at any time before the stated closing date and it further reserves the right not to appoint if a suitable candidate is not identified.
