Strategic Financial Management and Governance Leadership Role

Personnel Transport is seeking to appoint a highly skilled and commercially astute Financial Manager I to join its Corporate Services division in Gauteng. This permanent position reports directly to the Divisional Head: Finance and plays a critical leadership role in ensuring accurate financial reporting, strong financial governance, and the delivery of strategic financial insights that support both operational and executive decision-making.

The Financial Manager I serves as a trusted finance partner to operational leadership, translating financial strategy into practical execution. The role is responsible for driving financial discipline, strengthening cost control, optimising working capital, and supporting sustainable profitability across assigned business units within the division.

This opportunity is ideal for an experienced finance professional with a strong background in management accounting, financial planning, and governance within complex operational environments such as logistics or manufacturing.

About the Role

The Financial Manager I leads key finance functions including financial planning, cost control, budgeting, forecasting, management accounting, and cash management. The role ensures that financial systems and reporting structures are aligned with divisional standards while maintaining full compliance with IFRS and statutory requirements.

The position requires close collaboration with operational leaders to evaluate performance, identify risks and opportunities, and drive informed business decisions. By providing detailed financial analysis and performance insights, the Financial Manager strengthens profitability and enhances financial sustainability within the assigned portfolio.

This is a strategic yet hands-on role requiring both technical financial expertise and strong leadership capability.

Cost Accounting and Cost Control

The Financial Manager is responsible for developing and maintaining robust costing models, including standard costing and activity-based costing where applicable.

The role involves analysing financial performance in partnership with operational leaders, identifying cost-saving opportunities, and supporting informed decision-making.

Key responsibilities include monitoring route-level cost of operations such as fuel consumption, driver and workshop labour costs, fleet maintenance expenses, overhead allocations, and depot performance variances to ensure optimal cost efficiency and service sustainability.

Variance analysis must be conducted to identify improvement opportunities and drive cost optimisation initiatives.

The Financial Manager supports the evaluation of new initiatives, projects, and investments through financial modelling and business case development while ensuring accurate service costing and margin analysis aligned to revenue generation.

Budgeting, Forecasting and Performance Monitoring

The role leads the preparation of annual budgets, forecasts, and rolling forecasts in line with divisional guidelines.

Financial performance must be monitored against approved budgets and forecasts, with variances identified and corrective actions recommended.

Monthly management accounts, dashboards, and detailed financial performance reports are prepared and reviewed for submission to the Divisional Head: Finance.

Profitability analysis is conducted by business unit, route, depot, and/or project to strengthen financial oversight and operational effectiveness.

The Financial Manager also supports operational cost control initiatives and productivity improvement efforts.

Cash Flow and Working Capital Management

The Financial Manager manages and monitors cash flow forecasts for assigned operations to ensure liquidity and identify funding requirements that support financing decisions.

Working capital optimisation across receivables, payables, inventory, and cash balances forms a key component of the role.

Capital and operational expenditure must be monitored to ensure spending remains within approved limits and aligned with business priorities.

Cost optimisation initiatives are supported while maintaining operational effectiveness and service continuity.

Financial Reporting and Compliance

The Financial Manager ensures accurate, complete, and timely financial reporting in accordance with IFRS, company policies, and local statutory requirements.

The integrity of the general ledger, balance sheet reconciliations, and supporting schedules must be maintained at all times.

The role coordinates statutory financial statements and audits for assigned entities, working closely with external auditors and advisors.

Compliance with tax legislation, VAT, payroll requirements, and other regulatory obligations is ensured in collaboration with tax specialists.

Internal Controls, Governance and Risk Management

Effective internal controls must be implemented and maintained to safeguard company assets and ensure financial integrity.

Financial, operational, and compliance risks are identified within the assigned portfolio, with mitigation actions implemented accordingly.

The Financial Manager ensures adherence to divisional finance policies, procedures, and delegations of authority while supporting internal and external audit processes and resolving audit findings.

Systems, Processes and Continuous Improvement

The role ensures effective use of financial systems and ERP platforms to support accurate reporting and analysis.

Continuous improvement initiatives are driven within finance processes to enhance reporting efficiency and data quality.

System enhancements, standardisation initiatives, and process harmonisation across operations are supported to strengthen financial governance and operational alignment.

Finance master data, reporting structures, and control frameworks must remain aligned with divisional standards.

Team Leadership and Stakeholder Engagement

The Financial Manager leads, coaches, and develops finance team members within the assigned portfolio, fostering a culture of accountability and high performance.

Work allocation, objective setting, and performance reviews are conducted to ensure optimal team effectiveness.

Strong working relationships are built with operational teams, shared services, and corporate finance functions.

The Financial Manager acts as a key finance contact for internal stakeholders and selected external partners, including auditors and service providers.

Minimum Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field (NQF 7/8 or equivalent).

ACMA, CIMA, or similar professional qualification is preferred.

5–10 years of progressive financial experience, including at least 3–5 years in a financial management or senior finance role.

Experience in logistics, manufacturing, or similarly complex operational environments is advantageous.

Solid knowledge of IFRS, cost accounting, management accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and statutory reporting is required.

Experience in multi-entity or multi-country environments is advantageous.

Core Competencies

Strong financial and commercial acumen with an operational mindset.

Ability to analyse complex financial data and translate insights into actionable recommendations.

High attention to detail and accuracy.

Strong understanding of financial controls, governance, and risk management.

Effective planning, prioritisation, and deadline management skills.

Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to influence non-financial stakeholders.

Leadership capability with a focus on coaching, development, and team performance.

Integrity and commitment to quality and compliance.

Employment Details

Position: Financial Manager I
Reference Number: UNI260218-9
Business Unit / Division: Personnel Transport
Contract: Corporate Services
Location: Gauteng, South Africa
Employment Type: Permanent – Normal
Minimum Education Level: Bachelors Degree | Advanced Diploma
Closing Date: 02 March 2026

Apply for Financial Manager I – Gauteng

Candidates who meet the above requirements and possess strong financial management experience within operational environments are encouraged to submit their application before the closing date.

👉 Submit your application for Financial Manager I

Applications close on 02 March 2026.

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