Job Description

Background of the Company

Lindt & Sprxc3xbcngli (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd (Lindt SA) started operations in May 2011 and forms part of the Lindt & Sprxc3xbcngli group of companies. With more than 140 employees, Lindt SA is based in Cape Town with strong regional presence in Johannesburg, Durban and Port Elizabeth and a network of 15 Lindt retail stores.

As global leader in the premium chocolate sector, Lindt & Sprxc3xbcngli looks back on a long-standing tradition of almost 175 years which takes its origins in Zurich, Switzerland. Today, quality chocolate products by Lindt & Sprxc3xbcngli are made at 12 owned production sites in Europe and the USA. The products are distributed by 28 subsidiary companies and branch offices, in around 500 Lindt shops and cafxc3xa9s, and also via a comprehensive network of more than 100 independent distributors around the globe.

Position Purpose

Manage the process leading to accurate budgets and forecasts as well as statutory closings. As the custodian of the Lindt Internal Control System, implement and assess internal controls across the business and implement finance related corporate governance including the development of financial policies, standards, legislation and regulation.

Essential duties and key responsibilities:

• Lead the monthly financial close process, including ensuring all costs incurred are properly recorded, reviewing journal entries, account balance reconciliations and report preparation
• Preparation and analysis of monthly management accounts including commentary on, investigation of and communicating variances to relevant internal stakeholders
• Partner with control owners to provide guidance around Lindt Internal Control System including assessment of compliance, development and implementation of new controls
• Supervise the accounts receivable, accounts payable and financial accounting teams, manage their capacity and workload, set and measure KPIs and provide training and development
• Coordinate and manage all tax return data, information, and submissions
• Collaborate with external auditors, tax and other consultants to ensure successful audit results, statutory compliance and preparation of annual financial statements
• Participate in the ongoing development/establishment of accounting policies and procedures and operational strategies including the review and implementation of process and system changes.
• Continued focus on improving system efficiencies, business practices and actively review and advise on financial/accounting processes
• Collaborate and coordinate with business units to prepare budgets and forecasts.
• Prepare, review and processing of monthly payroll including bank payment, regulatory submissions and ERP posting
• Provide ad hoc analysis and reporting as requested from the CFO

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills - able to influence and communicate clearly at all levels, and across all departments
• Solution-oriented individual
• Proactive attitude and ability to identify project opportunities, propose them and complete them
• Methodical and structured approach to tasks
• Able to set priorities and clear targets
• Able to grow with the level of responsibilities and with the size and structure of the business
• Commitment to ensuring financial integrity, and ability to handle highly confidential information with discretion
• Passion for leading and developing a high performance team

• CA qualification or equivalent preferred; minimum qualification NQF 7 (Bachelor's degree, Post Graduate Certificate and B-tech)
• A minimum of 7 years' experience as an auditor or financial accounting manager role (preferably at Big 4)
• High level of accounting and IFRS knowledge
• Demonstrated ability of process improvements
• Advanced SAP knowledge and strong Excel skills
• Knowledge of the FMCG industry considered to be a distinctive advantage
• Highly numerate with excellent analytical skills and attention to detail

Lindt and Sprungli (South Africa)