Would you like to work for an international independent solar photovoltaic power producer who recently successfully established operations in South Africa?
Job Description:
The Project Controller will report to the South Africa Country Manager and support the local team from an administrative and financial point of view, working closely with the Group Finance function based in London, the local outsourced accounting and tax services firm and other advisors.
- Provide financial support to the local team and with support from the Group finance team establish adequate systems and controls to ensure accurate, timely and proper accounting and reporting in accordance with South African accounting principles and regulations, Group accounting principles, International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and any external reporting requirements (e.g ED and SED reporting, interactions with the Department of Energy and other stakeholder's, etc).
- Work closely with the company's local and overseas staff, EPC contractors, banks, local authorities and other third parties on an ongoing basis to ensure that the Company and contractors are complying with all aspects of the agreements in place, that cash and capital budgets are monitored and safeguarded and that problem areas are quickly identified and brought to the attention of management.
- Local point of contact for the company's outsourced Accounting and Tax services firm, ensure that all necessary tax and other regulatory filings including the annual financial statements are prepared, reviewed and submitted timely and accurately.
- Coordinate the provision of information to external auditors for the annual audit with support from the Group Finance team.
- Project cost controlling: Anticipating and monitoring capex deviations from budget during the power plant construction and take preventive/corrective actions.
- Produce periodic SG&A budgets and perform ongoing monitoring of actual versus budgeted performance, reporting significant issues to management in a timely manner.
- Manage banking relationships, debt levels, cash draw downs, international payments and compliance with debt covenants with support from the Group Loan Compliance staff.
- Manage local Contracts, Site Instructions, Variation Orders, etc from a financial standpoint
- Conduct ad hoc research and analyses as and when instructed by Management.
Candidate Requirements:
The Project Controller role requires a professional ideally with finance and construction, utility, or similar industry background and an understanding of project finance:
- 3-5 years of experience, ideally within a construction, utility, industrial company or similar industry engaged in large scale capital construction projects that include a development and construction period before the asset is placed into service. Big 4 profiles with relevant industry experience will also be considered.
- Understanding of IFRS, Budgeting, Forecasting and Financial Analysis.
- Keen to take ownership of tasks and responsibilities and ensure that work is completed in an accurate and timely manner and all financial and covenant requirements of lenders are complied with.
- Multinational experience and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively across diverse regions and cultures, including virtual teams.
- Pro active self-starter, highly motivated, focused on working at a high level and producing an excellent work product under changing priorities and deadlines.
- Good relationship builder - open and honest style - excellent communication skills. Able to communicate effectively and deal comfortably with multiple projects/requests.
- Excellent English both written and verbal.
- Financial modelling skills and experience in managing loan compliance are a plus.
- Technical/Engineering/Construction background a plus.
- Degree in Accounting/Finance and a recognized accounting qualification a plus.