The Sabi Sand Nature Reserve is now recruiting for the position of Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

The Sabi Sand Nature Reserve is South Africa’s oldest and best-known private game reserve. The Sabi Sand Nature Reserve is a very sought-after tourist destination with unsurpassed Big 5 game viewing and a variety of lodges. The reserve has pioneered a host of wildlife and conservation management practices. This is an exceptional opportunity for a person who wants to be part of a dedicated team.

Main Function

To provide effective professional leadership and ensures the establishment and implementation of sound financial management, accounting, procurement, provisioning, and internal control systems and processes, for the organisation, in compliance with relevant legislative requirements.

Job Description

• Ensure financial management structures are in place by reviewing, establishing, and maintaining financial management structures.
• Ensure financial management systems are in place by ensuring that the effective, efficient and transparent financial management system is in place.
• Provide strategic support and guidance by ensuring the development, monitoring, and review of Annual Performance Plans.
• Develop and implement organisational risk management and control.
• Develop and oversee the organisational budgeting process and procedures, budget holders and stakeholders to review the budget proposal before submission to the relevant authority.
• Oversee and manage the budget monitoring process, including the monthly and quarterly financial and performance reports, and provide recommendations and advice to address significant variances
• Monitor the operation of accounting systems, controls, and procedures to ensure the integrity of the financial information.
• Ensure the effective, efficient, economic, and transparent use of financial and other resources
• Provide financial management support to internal stakeholders.
• Manage engagements with assurance providers (for example, risk and audit), including, responding to matters raised.
• Utilise the Basic Accounting System (BAS) to oversee accounting transactions, control the general ledger, perform financial administration and prepare financial reports.
• Utilise VIP Sage, Microsoft Word & Excel for human resource management, payroll, and reporting.
• Utilise Pastel, Case Ware, and Excel for provisioning, procurement, stock control, and reporting.

Role and Responsibilities

• Ensure the accuracy and completeness of the company’s financial statements and full compliance with all laws and regulations in all jurisdictions in which we do business.
• Support the CEO in ensuring that the company’s operations are fully compliant.
• To support the CEO in ensuring the development and execution of the organizational and other strategies.
• Act in good faith and promote the long-term success of the company for the benefit of all members and wider stakeholders.
• Exercise independent judgment, reasonable care, skill, and diligence when carrying out duties.
• Challenge and contribute constructively to EXCO/Board decision-making, using the skills and experience they possess.
• Provide effective day-to-day oversight of the company’s operations, controls, and financial performance.
• Avoid conflicts of interest between their personal interests and their duties.

Additional responsibilities

• Maintain a productive relationship with the CEO and support the relationship with the Chairman in facilitating an effective EXCO/Board. The CFO should join the CEO and support the Chairman in ensuring that appropriate governance standards permeate all parts of the organisation.
• Support the CEO in developing the company’s strategy and budget for consideration by the EXCO/Board and in delivering the agreed strategy and budget once it has been set and approved by the EXCO/Board.
• Responsible for providing strong functional leadership to the Company’s Finance, Tax, Treasury, Pensions, and Investor Relations communicating to those departments the expectations of the EXCO/Board concerning the company’s objectives, culture, values, attitudes, and behaviours, and ensuring that operational policies and practices help drive those appropriately.
• The CFO has administrative responsibility for the audit and is accountable to the EXCO/Board through the CEO/Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee. They must ensure
• the avoidance of any conflict of interest or compliance issues in despatching this administrative responsibility.
• Responsible for ensuring the company operates sound risk management and internal control systems to safeguard stakeholders’ interests, and the company’s assets and to ensure the integrity of the company’s financial performance and statements.
• The CFO is expected to maintain an ongoing dialogue with the CEO/Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee and the company’s external auditor.
• To maintain good working relationships with other executives within the company, especially with the reserve manager and within the departments, and to provide constructive challenges to them in light of his responsibilities as a CFO and an executive within the company.
• To support the CEO in ensuring that management fulfils its obligation to provide the EXCO/Board with: accurate, timely, balanced and clear financial and other relevant key performance indicators (KPIs) and information in a form and of a quality that will enable it to discharge its duties effectively. The necessary resources for developing and updating the EXCO/Board/Directors’ knowledge and capabilities; and appropriate knowledge of the company, including access to company operations and members of the workforce.
• To support the CEO with his responsibilities for senior management appointments and succession planning and the development of senior management talent, especially in respect of the HODs, but not limited to, the functions which he/she is responsible for.
• The CFO should appreciate constructive challenges from non-executive Directors as an essential aspect of good governance and should encourage the non-executive Directors to test proposals in the light of their wider experience outside the Company
• The CFO shall carry out to the best of her/his abilities all such matters delegated from the EXCO/Board or the CEO from time to time.

Qualifications and Experience

• Qualified CA (SA) with 15 to 20 years of working experience.
• Fully computer literate with Caseware, Excel, Sage VIP, and Pastel software skills.
• Advanced knowledge of financial legislation, regulations, and standards.
• Good analysis and problem-solving skills.
• Human resources and labour relations experience will be an added advantage.
• 15 years of experience in business engineering and restructuring process.
• Must have a good understanding of Trusts and Associations.
• Must belong to SAICA or any relevant financial body.

Personal Traits

• Excellent communication and people skills are essential for this role.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• Professional, diplomatic, and able to work well with stakeholders at various levels.
• Able to manage complexity and adapt to changing conditions.
• The candidate must be flexible and able to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Applicants must not have a criminal record and must be willing to undergo a polygraph test.
• Applicants must be South African citizens.
• Applicants must be willing from time to time to spend time working in a Big 5 Game Reserve.
• Applicants must be willing to sleep out of town from time to time.

To apply for this position

Email your motivational letter, CV, copy of matric certificate, and copies of relevant qualifications, together with a copy of your ID, and a reference letter(s) to hrofficer@sabisand.co.za

The application letter must be submitted with relevant contact details.

No applications will be accepted without the above-mentioned documents.
If you do not receive any feedback or communication from us within two weeks after the closing date, please consider your application as unsuccessful.

Closing date for all applications: 18 October 2022 @ 12:00

This job description is neither exhaustive nor exclusive and may be reviewed in the future depending upon operational requirements and staffing levels. Employment is at the sole discretion of the employer and the employer reserves the right not to make an appointment.