Chief Financial Officer at The People Practice

Our client, an upscale laundry and dry-cleaning organization, is looking for a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) who will have the overall responsibility for the strategic planning, implementation, managing and running of all the finance activities of a company, including business planning, budgeting, forecasting, risk and governance as well as negotiations.

Responsibilities

• Take responsibility (either directly or via staff) for all cash management, investments, insurance, budgeting, and financial reporting, and help drive the company’s financial strategy and hiring needs
• Coordinate development of annual operating, capital, and program budgets, as well as reporting for the same
• Ensure cash flow is compatible with operations by overseeing day-to-day accounting, recording, reporting, and internal-control activities of the organization
• Develop and implement best practices and tools to ensure a well-controlled yet flexible organization that has strong fiscal management, project coordination, cross-team communications, and workflows
• Comply with national and local financial requirements by studying existing and new legislation and taking appropriate action
• Providing leadership, direction and management of the finance and accounting team
• Providing strategic recommendations to the Founder / CEO and members of the executive management team and Governing Council
• Managing the processes for financial forecasting and budgets, and overseeing the preparation of all financial reporting
• Advising on long-term business and financial planning
• Provide commercial insight and leadership across the business in order to exceed business plan targets
• Responsible for ensuring the risk and compliance management framework is embedded and operational for the Group
• Establishing and developing relations with senior management and external partners and stakeholders
• Reviewing all formal finance, HR and IT related procedures 

Qualifications

• Master’s degree (or equivalent experience) in accounting, business accounting, or finance
• Minimum 10 years’ relevant work experience, 7 years management practice of which 3-5 years in FMCG/Retail. Relevant historical roles include but not limited to Director of Finance, Credit Controller, Corporate Development
• Professional development and training are an added advantage.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) qualification or relevant certifications 
• Proficient in analyzing financial information and using metrics to evaluate performance 
•  Proficiency in financial software and management tools and strong understanding of financial statements and their interpretation
• Strategic thinking and the ability to provide insights and recommendations to improve financial health
• Experience in managing receivables, payables, and liabilities
• Ability to lead and manage the finance department and collaborate with senior managers and the Board of Directors
• Knowledge of financial control and compliance to ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial data
• Knowledge of finance functions and their integration into overall business operations
• Familiarity with the role of a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and the responsibilities associated with the job title
• Expertise in financial planning and budgeting to support strategic initiatives
• Ability to develop and implement a business plan to drive financial growth
• Understanding of human resources management within the finance department

Must have skills

• Expertise in financial management, including cash flow, financial planning, and financial decision-making
• Proficiency in strategic planning and the ability to align financial initiatives with business goals
• Knowledge of capital structure and the ability to optimize financial resources
• Strong understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and ensuring compliance
• Excellent communication skills for effective collaboration with C-suite executives, including the Founder, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Production Officer (CPO) and Chief Operating Officer (COO)
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for effective stakeholder management and presenting financial information
• Strong analytical skills to assess financial risks and opportunities
• Leadership skills to guide and mentor the finance team and foster a high-performing finance department