Senior Financial Analyst

About

Our client, a prominent financial services firm in East London, Eastern Cape, ZA, is seeking a highly analytical and detail-oriented Senior Financial Analyst. This role is critical in supporting the company's strategic financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and performance analysis. The successful candidate will leverage their expertise to provide actionable insights, drive financial decision-making, and contribute to the overall financial health of the organization. This is an excellent opportunity for a seasoned finance professional looking to make a significant impact.

Responsibilities

• Lead the annual budgeting and quarterly forecasting processes, collaborating with various department heads to ensure accuracy and alignment with strategic goals.
• Develop complex financial models to support strategic initiatives, investment decisions, and long-term financial planning.
• Analyze financial performance against budget and forecast, identifying variances and developing root cause analyses.
• Prepare monthly financial reports, dashboards, and presentations for senior management, highlighting key trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Conduct ad-hoc financial analysis to support business decision-making on pricing, profitability, cost management, and new business opportunities.
• Monitor key financial metrics and KPIs, providing insights into operational efficiency and financial effectiveness.
• Assist in the preparation of board materials and investor relations communications.
• Identify and implement process improvements within the FP&A function to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
• Ensure the integrity and accuracy of financial data used for reporting and analysis.
• Stay current with industry trends, economic factors, and regulatory changes that may impact the company's financial performance.
• Provide financial guidance and support to business partners across the organization.
• Assist in the evaluation of potential mergers, acquisitions, or other strategic transactions.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders across finance and other departments.
• Mentor and train junior members of the finance team.
• Perform variance analysis and explain discrepancies to senior leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related quantitative field.
• A Master's degree or MBA is a plus.
• Professional certification such as CA(SA), CFA, CMA, or CPA is highly desirable.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of progressive experience in financial analysis, FP&A, corporate finance, or a related role.
• Advanced proficiency in financial modeling and data analysis using Microsoft Excel (including VBA).
• Experience with financial planning and analysis (FP&A) software (e.g., SAP BPC, Oracle Hyperion, Anaplan, Adaptive Insights) is essential.
• Strong understanding of accounting principles and financial reporting standards.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and projects in a deadline-driven environment.
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy.
• Experience working within the financial services industry is advantageous.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.

This role requires on-site presence in our East London, Eastern Cape, ZA office to facilitate close collaboration with key financial and operational teams.