Senior Financial Analyst

CIMA Finance Financial Analyst Management Accounting

Key Responsibilities

Financial Accounting, Expense Control & Business Partnering

Our client is looking for a professional who can ensure accurate financial accounting and effective business partnering by monitoring expenses, maintaining correct journal allocations, and managing purchase requisition approvals.
Key responsibilities include:

• Ensuring all journal entries are accurately captured and allocated to the correct accounts and cost centres
• Monitoring operating expenses and ensuring alignment with budgets
• Reviewing and approving purchase requisitions in line with policy and budget controls
• Providing financial insights and variance explanations to business unit managers
• Resolving accounting queries and maintaining accurate audit trails

Financial Planning & Forecasting

The successful candidate will support strategic decision-making through accurate financial forecasting and planning.
Responsibilities include:

• Developing monthly, quarterly, and annual financial forecasts
• Supporting strategic and operational planning cycles
• Conducting scenario and sensitivity analysis
• Collaborating with business units to gather assumptions and validate financial projections

Revenue & Sales Performance Analysis

Our client requires someone who can deliver data-driven insights into sales performance to support revenue growth and sales strategy.
Responsibilities include:

• Tracking sales performance against targets
• Analysing revenue across regions, product lines, and customer segments
• Preparing sales performance dashboards and management reports
• Identifying trends, growth opportunities, and underperforming areas
• Supporting sales pipeline and conversion analysis

Pricing & Margin Management

The role involves monitoring pricing strategies to ensure competitiveness while protecting profit margins.
Responsibilities include:

• Analysing product pricing and margin performance
• Monitoring pricing deviations, discount structures, and promotional pricing
• Conducting price elasticity and margin analysis
• Supporting pricing adjustments in collaboration with sales and marketing teams

Logistics & Distribution Cost Analysis

The Senior Financial Analyst will analyse logistics and distribution costs to improve cost efficiency while maintaining service levels.
Key duties include:

• Analysing transportation, warehousing, and freight costs
• Calculating cost-to-serve by customer, region, and distribution channel
• Identifying cost-saving opportunities with supply chain teams
• Supporting logistics strategy through financial insights

Customer & Product Profitability Analysis

Our client is seeking a candidate who can provide detailed profitability insights to support strategic decision-making.
Responsibilities include:

• Conducting profitability analysis by customer, product, and region
• Identifying underperforming products or customer segments
• Supporting pricing and discount decisions with profitability insights
• Monitoring product life cycles and portfolio performance

Sales Commission Management

The role includes managing the commission process to ensure accuracy and alignment with sales performance.
Responsibilities include:

• Calculating and validating commission payments
• Monitoring commission spend against budget
• Supporting the development and adjustment of commission structures
• Working with HR and Sales to ensure alignment with performance goals

Management Reporting & Performance Analysis

The Senior Financial Analyst will provide leadership with meaningful financial insights and performance analysis.
Responsibilities include:

• Preparing monthly management reports and dashboards
• Conducting variance analysis against budgets and forecasts
• Analysing key financial metrics and performance drivers
• Delivering actionable insights to senior management

Financial Modelling & Business Case Support

Our client requires strong financial modelling capability to evaluate strategic initiatives.
Responsibilities include:

• Developing financial models such as ROI, NPV, DCF, and breakeven analyses
• Evaluating capital expenditure proposals and investment opportunities
• Conducting scenario and sensitivity analysis
• Presenting financial risks and opportunities to leadership

Budgeting & Cost Management

The successful candidate will support budget development and cost optimisation initiatives.
Responsibilities include:

• Coordinating the annual budgeting process
• Monitoring departmental budget performance
• Identifying cost trends and potential savings
• Analysing fixed and variable cost drivers

Strategic & Operational Support

Our client is looking for someone who can act as a financial partner to operational teams.
Responsibilities include:

• Participating in strategic planning discussions
• Providing financial input into pricing, expansion plans, and operational decisions
• Recommending initiatives to improve profitability
• Facilitating communication between finance and operational teams

Data Analysis & Visualisation

The role involves improving financial insights through data analytics and reporting tools.
Responsibilities include:

• Developing dashboards and visual reports using tools such as Power BI, Tableau, or Excel
• Analysing large datasets to identify trends and anomalies
• Automating reporting processes where possible
• Presenting financial information in an accessible format

Process Improvement & Efficiency

Our client values continuous improvement within the finance function.
Responsibilities include:

• Streamlining reporting and analytical processes
• Improving tools, templates, and systems
• Increasing automation and reducing manual tasks
• Documenting finance processes and procedures

Compliance & Financial Controls

The Senior Financial Analyst will help ensure financial accuracy and regulatory compliance.
Responsibilities include:

• Ensuring financial reporting aligns with policies and accounting standards
• Supporting internal and external audit processes
• Maintaining proper documentation and audit trails
• Safeguarding data integrity and confidentiality

Stakeholder Management

The role requires effective collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
Responsibilities include:

• Building strong working relationships across departments
• Participating in stakeholder meetings and providing financial guidance
• Managing expectations and resolving issues in line with company policies
• Providing advice on finance-related matters affecting stakeholders

Qualifications & Experience

Our client is looking for candidates with the following:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Management Accounting, or a related field (NQF 8)
• CIMA registration preferred
• Minimum 7 years’ experience in Accounting or Management Accounting
• 3–5 years’ experience in a management or senior analytical role

Technical Skills

• Strong computer literacy (MS Office Suite, ERP/SAP systems, and finance software)
• Advanced financial modelling capability
• Advanced Excel skills
• Strong knowledge of financial processes, controls, and reporting