Finance Associate

Responsibilities:

Provide strategic financial counsel:  Use your financial expertise and business insights to advise the leadership team on financial planning, risk management, and strategic investments that support our growth and profitability.  Drive financial excellence:  Establish and maintain robust financial processes, controls, and reporting systems to ensure transparency, accuracy, and compliance with regulatory requirements.  Optimise resource allocation:  Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify cost-saving opportunities, ensure efficient utilisation of capital, and maximise returns on investment.  Facilitate decision-making:  Analyse financial data, identify trends, and provide insightful analyses to support informed decision-making at various levels of the organisation.  Investor relations and fundraising:  Play a key role in investor relations, fundraising efforts, and capital management, ensuring effective communication and fostering strong relationships with investors and stakeholders.  Mentorship and talent development:  Contribute to the development of a high-performing finance team by providing leadership, guidance, and mentorship opportunities, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional growth.  Participate in meetings with management, clients, or other team members to discuss sales goals or marketing strategies   Maintain knowledge of competitors’ pricing and products   Manage all aspects of the financial accounting system, including managing cash flow and tracking expenditures.   Oversee budget and forecast preparation, and analyse actual performance against budget or forecast and advise on how adverse variances could be mitigated or averted in the future.  Ensure that monthly financial statements and management information are prepared and submitted promptly to enable management/the Board to review and guide the company’s operations effectively.  Monitor and ensure clients' and suppliers' account balances are updated and reconciled on a monthly basis.   Manage the annual external audit process to ensure it is effectively and efficiently completed for a clean audit report consistent with the comprehensive implementation of smooth operating systems within the company’s operations.   Establish and maintain relationships with bank relationship managers, regulatory bodies, and stakeholders to help mitigate product release issues.  Advise the team on forex risk and adopt strategies to manage the forex exposure on all transactions  Offer support and liaise with HR to determine training and development opportunities for the team.  Ensure the effective implementation of finance policies and procedures.   Complete timely filing of statutory returns and compliance with all regulatory financial requirements. 

Requirements:

A bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or a related field is required.  Professional certifications such as CPA, CFA, or MBA are highly preferred.  Extensive experience in financial planning, analysis, budgeting, and forecasting.  Proficiency in financial reporting, including the preparation of financial statements and management reports.  Deep knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).  Expertise in financial modelling, valuations, and investment analysis.  Advanced proficiency in financial modelling and analysis tools (e.g., Microsoft Excel, SQL, Python).  Familiarity with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and finance-related software.  Experience in navigating complex regulatory environments and compliance requirements.   Understanding of recurring revenue models, subscription-based pricing, and SaaS metrics.   Experience in capital structure optimisation, cash flow management, and working capital management.  Knowledge of technology trends, industry regulations, and their financial implications. The ability to analyse financial data, identify trends, and draw meaningful insights is essential in this role. Proficiency in financial analysis techniques and tools is highly desirable.  A solid understanding of financial principles, accounting concepts, and financial statements is crucial. Knowledge of budgeting, forecasting, and financial modelling is advantageous.  Familiarity with financial software and tools such as Excel, QuickBooks, or ERP systems is important for data analysis, financial reporting, and budget management.  A good grasp of mathematical concepts and the ability to perform calculations accurately are necessary for financial analysis and modelling.  Being able to identify and address financial issues, propose solutions, and make informed recommendations based on analysis is crucial.  Time management and organizational skills: The ability to manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and prioritize work effectively is important in a fast-paced finance environment.  The finance field is constantly evolving, and a willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies, regulations, and industry trends is highly valued.  Handling financial data and information requires maintaining confidentiality, adhering to ethical standards, and demonstrating integrity in all financial activities.  A strong command of Excel is crucial for financial analysis, data manipulation, and creating financial models. Skills in using formulas, functions, pivot tables, and data visualisation tools are highly valuable.  Competency in data analysis tools and techniques, such as statistical analysis, regression analysis, and data visualization, can enhance your ability to extract meaningful insights from financial data.  Proficiency in building financial models, including forecasting models, valuation models, and scenario analysis, is valuable for analyzing investment opportunities, evaluating business performance, and making informed financial decisions.  Familiarity with financial reporting standards (such as GAAP or IFRS) and experience in preparing financial statements, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements, is important for accurate and compliant financial reporting.  Knowledge of risk management principles, internal controls, and regulatory compliance requirements is valuable for ensuring financial integrity and   Proficiency in conducting financial research, utilizing online financial databases, and staying updated on market trends and industry benchmarks can enhance your ability to provide insightful analysis and support strategic decision-making. Motivated, optimistic, and passionate about our mission  Strong business acumen and understanding of operational processes.  Exceptional track record of leadership; strong ability to build relationships and trust as part of a small team  Obsessive attention to detail, responsive communication, thoughtful problem-solving, and an execution mindset; a zero inbox mentality is strongly preferred  Ability to work autonomously, incredibly professional, discreet, and trustworthy  Willingness to be flexible and nimble, including availability to work flexible hours as needed  Most importantly, abundant curiosity about how to make this world a better place to live in