Department: Finance

Employment Type: Fixed Term Contract

Location: Africa

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

Description

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