Key Purpose Statement

• The role of the Brand Chief Financial Officer is to drive EBIT maximization and optimal capital allocation to deliver the short and mid-term objectives of the Brand, in line with the Brand strategic plan.

Principal Accountabilities

EBIT maximization

• Drive billing completeness by monitoring controls of billing input
• Implement controls for bursary application or renewal and ensure adherence to brand policies and guidelines.
• Based on profitability analysis, identify levers to maximize other income and minimize costs and drive business outcome.
• Develop a mid-term plan for Brand capital allocation, to deliver the Brand strategic objectives.

Planning

• Coordinate the budget development of the Brand and schools, in line with the Strategic mid-term plan.
• Facilitate the development of Brand and school business plan and drive implementation of the planned activities to deliver the budget. Manage the risks and opportunities.
• Drive EBIT forecast accuracy and develop timeously profit recovery measures if needed to deliver budget.
• Develop financial model to project IRR of main investment projects.

Enhancement of internal control and continuous business process improvement

• Continuously assess coverage and effectiveness of the Brand and school internal control system and drive enhancement.
• Maintain Brand governance and internal control system (approval framework, policies, guidelines, risk control matrix for all key processes with business impact).
• Continuously test effectiveness and coverage
• Conduct training and sensitization campaigns
• Document and maintain RACI matrices, SOP
• Develop controls, check lists
• Identify opportunities for efficiency, cost saving, customer experience enhancement and revenue maximization in business processes and drive continuous improvement
• Drive yearly asset count and improvement of asset safeguarding controls

Manage financial operations (billing, collection and procure-to-pay)

Drive effectiveness of fee collection and credit check of fee payers upon admission or re-registration:

• Coordinate and control monthly Pre-suspension/suspension/termination campaigns and yearly non re-enrolment campaigns.
• Coordinate and control financial clearance and credit check operations prior to student admissions..
• Continuously drive initiatives to minimize debt
• Coordinate billing operations and milestones

Drive optimal procurement decisions, suppliers paid on time and procurement requirements met timeously to deliver academic service.

• Control GSS SLA KPI for the source-to-pay cycle
• Identify opportunities to drive centrally cost savings
• Continuously monitor process quality and drive improvement
• Review and approve expenditures and process exceptions, in line with the Group policy and approval framework

Reporting

• Compile month-end reporting and control quality and SLA for GSS input
• Maintain financial dashboards and management reports to drive decision-making for the Brand and Principals

Competencies (Skills /Behavioural Attribute)

• Problem solving
• Map process flows
• Map RACI chart (roles and responsibilities)
• Project management
• Data analysis
• Good negotiator
• Excellent communication skills

Qualifications:

• Minimum requirement is B Com with completed Articles CA (SA) or MBA

Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years working experience in a Financial Manager/ CFO role in a similar-sized organisation.