Finance Manager

A Finance Manager plays a crucial role in any organization, overseeing the financial health and guiding the financial strategy of the business. Below is a general job description for a Finance Manager, which includes key responsibilities, qualifications, and skills typically required for the role:

Key Responsibilities:

1. Financial Reporting and Analysis:

   • Prepare financial statements, business activity reports, and forecasts.
   • Monitor financial details to ensure that legal requirements are met.
   • Supervise employees who do financial reporting and budgeting.
   • Review company financial reports and seek ways to reduce costs.

2. Strategy and Planning:

   • Analyze market trends to find opportunities for expansion or for acquiring other companies.
   • Help management make financial decisions.

3. Budgeting:

   • Prepare the annual budget and long-term financial plans.
   • Manage the budget process and promote budgetary discipline across the organization.

4. Cash Flow Management:

   • Ensure cash flow is appropriate for the organization’s operations.
   • Supervise the treasury of the organization including managing banking relationships.

5. Internal Controls and Compliance:

   • Implement and ensure compliance with internal financial and accounting policies and procedures.
   • Ensure that all statutory requirements of the organization are met including Withholding Payments, Income Tax, Goods and Services Tax, and other relevant laws.

6. Investment and Risk Management:

   • Advise on investment activities and provide strategies that the company should take.
   • Maintain an understanding of financial markets and the impact they have on the company.

7. Stakeholder Management:

   • Coordinate with external auditors, tax advisors, and other financial consultants.
   • Present financial reports to board members, stakeholders, executives, and clients in formal meetings.

Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, or business administration is often the minimum requirement, with many organizations preferring a master’s degree in a related field or an MBA.
• Professional qualification such as CFA/CPA or similar will be considered a plus.

Skills:

• Strong analytical and data gathering skills.
• Good business acumen for problem solving.
• Competency with financial software and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• A deep understanding of business principles and practices.
• Superior attention to detail and the ability to organize and prioritize tasks.

Experience:

• Experience in a finance role with progressive responsibility, such as financial analyst, accounting manager, etc.
• Proven experience in financial planning, risk management, and negotiation.

Personal Attributes:

• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Ethical behavior and discretion when handling financial information.
• Ability to stay knowledgeable about the industry and financial regulations and legislation.