Financial Controller (Renewable Energy)

SET Recruitment Consultants is seeking a Financial Controller for a renewable energy organization in Cape Town, South Africa. The role involves overseeing financial reporting, governance, tax compliance, and internal controls across a Southern African portfolio. Responsibilities include managing accounting operations, ensuring regulatory compliance, leading audits, and supporting business growth. Candidates should be Chartered Accountants with 5-15 years of relevant experience.
Financial Controller

Market-related Package

Cape Town

An established renewable energy organisation is seeking an experienced Finance Controller to take ownership of financial controllership across a diverse Southern African portfolio. This role is critical in ensuring accurate financial reporting, strong governance, tax compliance, and robust internal controls, while supporting business growth and complex project environments.

The role works closely with the FP&A Manager, Middle Office / Project Finance teams, and external advisors, and includes statutory responsibilities as a SARS Public Officer.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Accounting & Reporting
• Act as custodian of accurate, valid, and timeous financial information across the group.
• Manage all accounting operations, including Treasury, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Intercompany, Fixed Assets, Payroll, and General Ledger.
• Lead and support month-end and year-end close processes.
• Ensure validity, accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of financial transactions.
• Prepare and present actual financial results for internal management, boards, and committees.
• Coordinate and manage the preparation of Half-Year and Annual Financial Statements.
• Oversee regulatory reporting requirements (e.g. CIPC, NERSA).
• Manage and coordinate external and internal audit processes.

Tax & Corporate Compliance
• Serve as SARS Public Officer and manage all tax filings and audits (Income Tax, VAT, Withholding Tax).
• Ensure ongoing compliance with IFRS, statutory requirements, and financial regulations.
• Develop, document, and implement accounting policies in line with regulatory and group standards.
• Oversee corporate governance compliance in line with the Companies Act, MOI, and Shareholder Agreements.
• Coordinate insurance matters in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

Systems & Internal Controls
• Maintain the integrity of financial systems and ERP platforms (including Finance ERP, COUPA, FloQast, and related applications).
• Design, implement, and monitor effective internal control frameworks.
• Develop and document business processes and standard operating procedures.
• Drive process improvement, automation, and simplification initiatives to support business scalability and cost efficiency.

Leadership & Business Support
• Manage, coach, and develop the controllership team.
• Provide active support to the FP&A team and champion continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support Project Finance / Middle Office teams in meeting lender and project lifecycle requirements.

Health, Safety & Environmental Responsibility
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental standards applicable to management roles.
• Promote a culture of safety awareness, risk mitigation, and environmental responsibility across the team.

Reporting Structure
• Direct report: Head of Finance
• Team responsibility: A controllership team comprising Financial Accountants and a Construction Accountant

Qualifications & Experience

Essential:
• Registered Chartered Accountant in South Africa (CA(SA)) or equivalent
• Proven experience applying IFRS standards

Experience Requirements
• 5–15 years’ proven experience in a Finance Manager / Financial Accounting Manager / Finance Controller role
• Demonstrated experience managing complex group structures and project-based environments

Competencies

Technical:
• Strong knowledge of South African statutory legislation and regulatory requirements
• Solid experience with ERP systems and financial reporting tools
• High level of commercial and business acumen

Behavioural:
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills

Leadership:
• Minimum 3–5 years of successful people management experience