Job Description

Interim Financial Controller (Fund-Level)

Department: Finance

Employment Type: Fixed Term Contract

Location: Africa

Reporting To: Direct Report: Fund leadership (Managing Partner as primary)

Allied Talent Partners (ATP), a Three Cairns Group initiative, is a mission-driven, not-for-profit talent marketplace focused on solving the human capital bottlenecks slowing down sustainable development efforts in emerging economies, with an initial focus on Africa. ATP connects vetted, experienced, context-relevant professionals to high-impact opportunities in energy access and sustainable development – strengthening local capacity and fuelling economic vitality. We specialize in fixed-term, deliverable-driven engagements – from interim leadership and generalist projects to niche technical expertise – handling project scoping, talent vetting and matching, contracting, payroll, and compliance so that our clients can focus on impact.

High-Level Overview

The client, a private investment firm, is seeking an experienced Interim Financial Controller to support the fund’s back-office finance function during a critical year-end and reporting period. The role will work closely with fund leadership and a third-party CFO service provider, with a clear mandate to deliver quarterly and year-end reporting, resolve statutory issues, and establish repeatable finance processes. The engagement is time-bound and execution-focused, with a clear emphasis on delivery rather than long-term finance leadership responsibilities.

Role and Responsibilities

Role: Interim Financial Controller (Fund-Level)
Direct Report: Fund leadership (Managing Partner as primary)
Candidates Required: 1

Key Deliverables:

Reporting (Quarterly & Year-End)

• Deliver quarterly financial reports, including coordination of inputs, validation of data, and production of decision‑ready outputs.
• Lead delivery of year‑end financial reporting, including preparation of financial statements and coordination with auditors.
• Ensure reporting outputs are accurate, timely, and aligned with fund leadership requirements.

Statutory & Regulatory Compliance

• Resolve outstanding statutory and tax registration issues and unblock delayed filings.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with relevant statutory, tax, and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate statutory submissions and regulatory interactions as required.

Process Design & Controls

• Establish and maintain a clear reporting and compliance calendar covering quarterly reporting, statutory filings, and year-end activities.
• Establish a repeatable quarterly and annual reporting cadence, templates, and timelines.
• Design and document core finance processes, controls, and handover materials.
• Clarify roles, responsibilities, and handoffs across reporting and compliance activities to reduce dependency risk and execution friction.

Finance Operations & Coordination

• Act as the day‑to‑day integrator between fund leadership, the third‑party CFO service provider, and the fund administrator.
• Manage timelines, inputs, and outputs across all finance service providers.
• Provide hands‑on oversight of the general ledger, trial balance, and supporting schedules.

Requirements

Experience Required:

• 8+ years experience in financial control, fund finance, or a closely related role.
• Prior exposure to private equity or investment fund environments strongly preferred.
• Experience working in African markets, including familiarity with local regulatory, tax, and operating environments, is advantageous.

Technical Requirements:

• Professionally qualified accountant (e.g. CA(SA), ACCA, CPA, or equivalent) preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of South African statutory, tax, and compliance requirements.
• Hands-on experience with Xero (or similar accounting platforms).
• Ability to diagnose finance and compliance issues quickly and drive resolution independently.
• Prior audit-trained background or experience working closely with external auditors is an advantage.

Other Skills:

• Strong ownership mindset with accountability for end-to-end delivery.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguous, fast-moving environments with multiple stakeholders.
• Confident working with senior leadership and external service providers.
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage parallel reporting, compliance, and coordination workstreams.
• Clear, structured communicator able to translate complex finance topics into practical implications.

Working Arrangement
Location: Remote, with availability during local business hours
Travel: Minimal

Terms of agreement:
Start Date: Immediately
Contracting Period: 4-6 months, full-time