Finance Manager, Durban, South Africa

K2 Recruit is partnering with a fast-growing, founder-led IT services company to appoint a Finance Manager who will act as the organisation's financial conscience, commercial soundboard, and decision gatekeeper.

This is not a traditional accounting role — it is a commercial finance leadership position focused on driving discipline, accountability, and data-led decision-making across the business.

Purpose of the Role

To ensure the business operates with financial clarity, control, and discipline, translating strategy into numbers, guardrails, and measurable outcomes.

You will:

• Eliminate “hope-based” decision making
• Provide early warning on cash flow, margin, and forecast risk
• Embed financial accountability across leadership
• Ensure ROI-driven thinking in all major business decisions

Key Responsibilities

Financial Governance & Decision Control

• Act as the mandatory financial pre-check for key business decisions:
  • Hiring and headcount changes
  • Salary adjustments and offers
  • Software and vendor spend
  • Capex and strategic investments
• Review and recommend: Approve / Amend / Defer based on financial logic
• Ensure no material commitment proceeds without financial review (unless waived by Directors)

Budgeting, Forecasting & Strategy Translation

• Translate the company's growth strategy into financial targets
• Own budgeting, forecasting, and performance tracking
• Deliver clear visibility on:
  • Revenue growth
  • Gross profit performance
  • Business unit contribution

Sales Engine & Commercial Oversight

• Monitor pipeline health and revenue realism
• Flag risk early (not after the fact)
• Ensure sales assumptions are backed by data, not optimism

Commercial Enablement

• Upskill managers in:
  • Costing and margin thinking
  • Headcount ROI
  • Cash flow impact
• Embed financial accountability language across leadership

Forecasting & Risk Management

• Provide forward-looking risk analysis (cash, margin, pipeline)
• Deliver early warning signals on financial pressure points
• Support proactive decision-making

Required Outputs

• Financial guardrails and approval framework
• Annual budget & forecasting model
• Sales engine financial dashboard
• Monthly executive summary (one-page insight view)
• Leadership commercial enablement inputs

Requirements

• Relevant finance qualification (CA(SA), CIMA, or equivalent preferred)
• Experience in commercial finance / FP&A / financial management
• Strong understanding of IT cost modelling, business operations and sales-driven environments
• Ability to influence leadership with data and insight
• High attention to detail with strong commercial judgement

Ideal Profile

• Confident, commercially sharp finance professional
• Comfortable challenging leadership constructively
• Strong analytical and forecasting capability
• Low ego, high clarity, systems-driven thinker
• Thrives in fast-growth, founder-led environments

Success Measures

• Improved forecast accuracy and financial predictability
• Stronger budget discipline and spend control
• Increased commercial maturity across leadership
• Clear, data-led decision-making culture

If you're a finance professional who wants to move beyond reporting into real commercial influence and decision-making impact, this role offers exactly that.