Role Purpose

The Finance Executive is responsible for driving the financial performance, governance, and control of a portfolio of dealerships within the division. Reporting directly to the Franchise Executive and indirectly to the CFO, the role provides strategic financial leadership, ensures robust financial governance, and delivers high-quality financial insight to support operational and commercial decision-making.

The Finance Executive oversees Regional Financial Manager (s) and develops dealership-based Finance Managers, ensuring consistent financial standards, accurate reporting, and alignment with group objectives to maximise profitability and operational efficiency across the region.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management & Reporting

• Oversee all financial operations across the assigned dealerships, ensuring timely, accurate, and complete management accounts and statutory reporting.
• Review dealership financial performance, identifying trends, risks, and opportunities to enhance profitability and operational efficiency.
• Consolidate and present regional financial results to senior leadership.
• Ensure adherence to group accounting policies, statutory requirements, and internal control frameworks.
• Review monthly General Ledger audit files and validate the accuracy of financial information submitted by Finance Managers.

Budgeting & Forecasting

• Support the preparation of annual budgets and periodic forecasts at dealership and regional level.
• Provide financial analysis and insight to support strategic planning and key business decisions.
• Monitor performance against budget, investigate variances, and recommend corrective actions.

Governance, Controls & Compliance

• Maintain a strong internal control environment across all dealerships.
• Actively participate in internal and external audits and ensure timely resolution of audit findings.
• Safeguard company assets, including stock, cash, debtors, and fixed assets.
• Ensure compliance with all internal policies, procedures, and delegated authorities.
• Implement new company policies and procedures as required.

Supplier, Contract & Payroll Oversight

• Supplier & Creditor Management:
• Spot-check creditor reconciliations, resolve items older than 30 days, negotiate optimal payment terms or settlement discounts, and ensure the use of preferred suppliers.
• Maintain appropriate service-level agreements (SLAs) to support effective cash-flow management.
• Contract Governance:
• Review and approve all dealer contracts, ensuring alignment with delegation of authority and confirmation that contracts are reviewed and authorised by the Motus Retail Legal Department.
• Payroll Accuracy & Controls:
• Ensure payroll job titles, designations, and departments are accurate and complete.
• Review and sign off commissions and incentive calculations prior to payroll processing.
• Remuneration Review:
• Review all commission structures and salary increases and submit recommendations to the Franchise Executive, CFO, and CEO for final approval.

Tax Governance & Compliance

• Provide guidance on the interpretation and application of taxation legislation.
• Stay current with legislative changes impacting financial reporting and taxation.
• Ensure accurate, complete, and valid VAT, PAYE, and other tax submissions, supported by monthly reconciliations prepared by Finance Managers.
• Review deferred and current tax entries processed to retained earnings.
• Validate tax computations included in Hyperion packs and complete tax calculations required by Retail Head Office for provisional tax payments.

Operational & People Leadership

• Ensure all internal and Head Office deadlines are met.
• Train and develop finance staff, particularly on accounting standards, VAT, policies, and procedures.
• Support Dealer Principals and Finance Managers with financial and operational queries.
• Visit dealerships regularly to ensure adherence to policies, procedures, and segregation of duties.
• Ensure accurate recognition of expenses, provisions, and accruals in the correct accounting periods.
• Oversee insurance renewals and ensure adequate and appropriate cover is maintained at all times.
• Drive BBBEE compliance and continuous improvement in scoring.
• Act as second signatory for dealership payment releases, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and appropriate authorisation, while actively identifying group-wide cost efficiencies and leveraging divisional scale when reviewing supplier payments and spend.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum of 5–7 years’ experience as a Dealership Financial Manager.
• Qualified accountant (CIMA or equivalent) – advantageous.
• Strong commercial and operational finance experience.
• Proven experience in managing, coaching, and developing finance teams within a multi-site environment.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder-management skills.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• High attention to detail and strong ethical standards.
• Advanced Excel skills.
• Proficiency in dealership management systems (e.g. Kerridge/CDK, Drive IA, Evolve, or similar).
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. 

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Regional profitability and cost control.
• Accuracy and timeliness of financial reporting.
• Compliance with audit, tax, and internal control requirements.
• Development and performance of Finance Managers.
• Achievement of budgeted financial targets and operational efficiency improvements.

Travel Requirements

• Preference for candidates based in the Free State.
• Alternatively, ability and willingness to travel regularly to and from the Free State.
• Availability to spend extended periods at dealership sites during audits, training, or investigations.