The Financial Controller is responsible for overseeing and managing all financial functions within Aujan Coca-Cola Beverage Company, including Treasury, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, General Ledger, and Tax. This role ensures the accuracy and integrity of financial reporting, maintains compliance with regulatory standards, and supports the companys overall financial strategy. The Financial Controller plays a key role in driving process improvements, financial controls, and cost management within a high-volume FMCG environment. Additionally, they lead and develop the accounting team, fostering a culture of performance and continuous improvement.
Accountabilities:
Financial Reporting & Accounting Control:
- Oversee the preparation of accurate and timely financial statements (balance sheet, income statement, cash flow statement) in compliance with IFRS/GAAP and FMCG-specific standards.
- Ensure the integrity of all financial records, ensuring proper bookkeeping, journal entries, reconciliations, and robust internal controls.
- Develop, implement, and maintain financial policies, procedures, and controls tailored to the unique needs of an FMCG manufacturing environment.
- Supervise the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports for management, ensuring transparency, compliance, and strategic insight into operations.
Leadership & Team Management
- Lead and develop a team of accounting professionals in the key areas of Treasury, AP, AR, GL, and Tax to ensure operational efficiency and accuracy.
- Establish performance targets and drive accountability within the team, fostering a collaborative culture that values high performance, integrity, and innovation.
- Provide coaching, mentoring, and career development for team members to build a strong, capable accounting department.
- Conduct regular performance reviews, ensuring alignment with both company and team goals and supporting continuous improvement initiatives.
Audit:
- Serve as the primary liaison for external auditors, ensuring audits are completed on time and compliant with both regulatory standards and Aujan Coca-Colas internal policies.
- Ensure audit readiness and prepare relevant documentation to support audits, responding to findings and implementing corrective actions promptly.
- Manage tax reporting and ensure all tax filings and tax audits are compliant with local and international laws.
Cash Flow & Treasury Management:
- Oversee cash flow management and liquidity, ensuring sufficient working capital to support day-to-day operations and growth initiatives.
- Supervise the Treasury team to optimize cash management, working capital, and banking relationships in line with the demands of a high-volume FMCG environment.
- Ensure accurate cash flow forecasting, including planning for seasonality and demand fluctuations typical in the FMCG industry.
Taxation & Compliance:
- Oversee the preparation and filing of corporate tax returns to ensure full compliance with local and international tax regulations.
- Collaborate with external tax consultants to optimize tax planning strategies, ensuring legal compliance while minimizing tax liabilities.
- Stay current with evolving tax regulations, advising senior management on potential impacts to the business.
- Manage tax audits, including liaising with external tax authorities, ensuring minimal exposure and successful resolution of any issues.
Process Optimization & Continuous Improvement:
- Drive the implementation of lean processes and efficiency improvements within financial operations, aligned with industry best practices in FMCG.
- Identify opportunities to streamline financial operations, automate processes, and reduce the month-end close cycle time.
- Use technology to improve the efficiency of financial controls and reporting, ensuring scalability in line with company growth.
Requirements:
- Bachelors degree in accounting, Finance, or a related field. Professional certification (e.g., CPA, ACCA, CMA) is highly preferred.
- 15 - 20 years of progressive experience in financial management within an FMCG environment, with at least 5-7 years in a leadership role.
- In-depth knowledge of FMCG-specific financial operations, including manufacturing cost structures, working capital management, and financial forecasting.
- Proven experience in external and internal audits, financial statements, and regulatory compliance.
- Proven experience in cost accounting, budgeting, and inventory analysis
- Strong understanding of costing methods, including standard costing, absorption costing, and marginal costing, common in the FMCG sector.
- Experience managing large accounting teams across Treasury, AP, AR, GL, and Tax functions.
- Strong Leadership skills
- Strategic thinking
