VP of Finance
- Location: Cape Town
- Base Salary: R1,065,600 per year
- Check out our values-driven benefits below!
Join our innovative, global team using technology to transform the way the social sector engages with data. We run on passion, blending diverse skill sets and experiences with a collective mission to help organizations tackle challenges and achieve greater impact. We encourage all staff to push their own boundaries and drive the company in exciting new directions. As a social enterprise and certified B Corporation, we reinvest a majority of our profits in our growth and continued pursuit of our mission and vision.
Position Overview
We are seeking a talented finance leader to manage financial operations and drive financial strategy and growth for our international social enterprise. The VP of Finance will oversee all financial aspects of Vera’s operations, providing strategic financial guidance, and ensuring our financial health and stability. This is a key leadership role within the organization, requiring strong financial management skills, extensive knowledge of investments, expertise in M&A, and excellent strategic and analytical capabilities. This role will include close collaboration and consultation with senior leadership across the company, while providing financial expertise to inform strategy and business decisions. This role is part of the management team, the VP of Finance is a partner in company strategic decisions along with the CEO, COO, CTO, and Managing Director. The ideal candidate is comfortable reporting to stakeholders in a clear, consultative, and professional manner.
Primary Responsibilities
- Strategy:
- Develop and implement financial strategies to support the growth and sustainability of the organization
- Analyze operations to identify areas in need of reorganization, downsizing, or elimination
- Manage return on investment across Vera’s initiatives
- Identify opportunities for expansion into new product areas or business lines
- Identify, evaluate, and execute potential merger and acquisition (M&A) opportunities that align with Vera’s growth objectives
- Support CEO with investor relations
- Research and support continued evolution of Vera’s compensation model
- Liquidity:
- Oversee investment of funds and works with investors and bankers to raise additional capital required for expansion
- Oversee accounts payable and receivable
- Manage and maximize cash flow
- Reporting and compliance:
- Direct the preparation of all financial statements, including income statements, balance sheets, shareholder reports, tax returns, and governmental agency reports
- Maximize tax efficiency across Vera’s five operating countries through transfer pricing, relevant tax credits and government programs, effective entity management
- Support internal and external audits
- Ensure compliance with US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) in all financial reporting and disclosure activities
- Forecasting:
- Oversee the budgeting and forecasting processes, ensuring that they are accurate and up-to-date
- Compare sales and profit projections to actual figures and budgeted expenses to actual expenses; make or oversee any necessary adjustments to future projections and budgets
- Study long-range economic trends and projects their impact on future growth in sales and market share
- Management:
- Ensure compliance with accounting regulations and reporting requirements
- Develop and implement financial policies and procedures to ensure best practices, audit compliance, and efficient operations
- Manage relationships with external partners, including auditors, banks, and other financial service providers
- Oversee management of external finance resources, including local accountants
Qualifications and Experience
Essential
- A degree in Finance or Accounting
- 10+ years experience in a finance management, senior finance position, or similar role
- In-depth knowledge of US GAAP reporting standards
- Proven experience representing a company through the evaluation, negotiation, and execution of potential business opportunities that align with Vera’s growth objectives
- Trusted advisor to build relationships with potential financial institutions and business partners that can drive growth within Vera
- Experience in managing investment portfolios, analyzing investment opportunities, and optimizing returns
- Proven track record of successfully executing M&A transactions, including deal sourcing, due diligence, and valuation
- Strong project management and analytical skills
- Experience leading diverse global financial consolidations in an accurate and timely manner
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Proven ability to manage several priorities in a deadline driven environment, having comfort with ambiguity
- Excellent knowledge of accounting and financial processes (budgeting, financial closure, reporting etc.)
- Data analysis and forecasting experience
- Experience working in a rapidly growing environment
- Strong financial analysis, modeling, and reporting skills
- Experience with NetSuite or similar software
Preferred
- Expertise in accounting for a SaaS/products company
- Familiarity with local, state, federal, and international tax regulation
- Experience with managing international entities
- A CPA or CMA certification
- Passion for social and environmental impact and commitment to our BCorp mission
What You’ll Need to Succeed:
- A deep understanding and practical application of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
- Demonstrated proficiency in managing investment portfolios, analyzing investment opportunities, and optimizing returns
- Hands-on experience leading or supporting merger and acquisition transactions
- A forward-thinking mindset with the ability to develop and execute financial strategies aligned with Vera’s goals and objectives
- As a key member of the executive team, you must exhibit strong leadership qualities
Compensation & Benefits
This is a full-time position with access to all company benefits. We take care of our employees and their families, by offering competitive benefits, such as:
Paid Time Off
38 days of paid leave each year, including local and company-wide holidays and a December break.
Health Care
Vera is passionate about supporting the health of you and your family. We cover medical insurance premiums, including family coverage, up to a maximum amount.
Retirement
Vera offers a retirement plan and contribution matching to all of its employees.
Wellness Leave
We do not cap sick leave. If you’re sick, we hope you get better!
Student Loans
To help employees with outstanding student loans, Vera offers a Student Loan Benefit.
Child Care
In addition to robust paid parental leave, Vera assists with the costs of child care.
Employee Incentive Plan
All employees participate in our Employee Incentive Plan. Employees receive stock options, aligned to their job title and location, as part of their total compensation package.
Sabbatical
To showcase our commitment to employee growth and well-being, Vera offers a paid sabbatical to employees who complete three consecutive years.
How to Apply
While the job posting is open to all regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, we would particularly welcome applications from women and underrepresented racial or ethnic groups.
To apply, fill out the online application (attaching CV). Please contact [email protected] with any additional questions.
Diversity and Inclusion Statement
At Vera we celebrate diversity; not only do we value the diversity of our workforce, we rely on it. Employees with different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences inform our approach to our work, driving us to ask questions and challenge assumptions, solve problems creatively, and foster strong relationships with each other and our clients. We are committed to a culture of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, in which all of our staff feel safe and thrive.
