Finance Manager (Cape Town)

Overview

Book Dash is a social impact publisher of open, African picture books for very young children. We tackle the complex systems that make having books in the home inaccessible to most children. Using a unique, replicable model, we create, translate, print and distribute high-quality books to preschool children and their families to own. This enriches the home learning environment and is shown to boost child developmental
outcomes. See more at bookdash.org 

Purpose
The Finance Manager leads and is responsible for financial operations, planning, and reporting. This involves providing critical financial insights and guidance to support strategic decision-making and organisational goals. Responsibilities include day-to-day organisational financial management, managing grants, ensuring compliance, and optimising financial systems and technology, all essential to sustaining and advancing the mission.

The role reports to the Executive Director. The successful candidate will be an experienced, hands-on finance professional with strong analytical and technical skills, keen to join a small, dynamic team working to make a meaningful impact on early literacy.

Responsibilities

  • Financial Management: Manage daily finance operations, incl. bookkeeping, accounts payable, accounts receivable, stock (inventory) management, project budget management, payroll, supplier payments, cash flow management, and
    monthly accounts reconciliation.
  • Budget management & Forecasts: Work closely with the Executive Director and management team to develop and manage forecasts and annual and multi-year budgets and keep track of spending.
  • Strategic Financial Planning: Develop and implement the financial strategy aligned with organisational goals and priorities, with management and board where appropriate.
  • Business Management: Provide strategic advice and profitability analysis to optimise revenue streams
  • Compliance and Risk management: Ensure compliance with all relevant financial regulations, internal controls, and donor requirements. Perform VAT returns and all other statutory submissions. Coordinate and oversee the annual statutory audit.
  • Grant Management & Fundraising: Provide support in the proposal development with regard to the budget. Monitor and track grant expenditures, ensuring compliance with donor requirements. Prepare and submit timely and accurate financial reports
    to donors.


Requirements

Qualifications & Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Accounting.
  • Minimum 5 years of financial management experience
  • Previous experience gained at a non-profit or publisher would be highly advantageous

Skills & Attributes

  • Excellent technical accounting skills
  • Excellent understanding of
    • NPO/grant management and/or
    • publishing financial management (inventory etc).
  • Highly proficient in using financial and project management software and tools (e.g., Xero, Sage Payroll, Trello, Google Suite etc)
  • Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
  • Ability to work independently as well as part of a team
  • Strategic, big-picture thinking combined with attention to detail
  • Enthusiasm to collaborate for the good of the whole organisation and its mission.

Start date: Negotiable (15 January 2025 latest). A 30-hour work week would be considered.

Book Dash is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Closing date: 20 October 2024

Application process: Please send your CV and 1-page cover letter motivating why you want to work for Book Dash and highlighting your relevant skills and experience to recruitment@bookdash.org
with the subject line Finance Manager. 

Please accept your application as unsuccessful if you have not heard from us by 20 November 2024.