Junior Financial Controller
Job Description
Job Title: Junior Financial Controller – African Operations (Growth Track)
Location: Mauritius (Ebene) – with periodic travel to African subsidiaries
Company: Polytra Africa SSC, Ebene, Mauritius
Reports To: Financial Controller / Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Grade: Junior / Associate Controller
Career Path: Junior Financial Controller → Financial Controller → Senior Financial Controller
Job Overview:
Polytra Africa SSC is a dynamic and innovative logistics company dedicated to leveraging data-driven insights to optimize business performance. We are seeking a Junior Financial Controller. The Junior Financial Controller oversees the finances of 3 to 5 African subsidiaries from Mauritius – environments that are fast-moving, sometimes complex (DRC), and rewarding for those who roll up their sleeves and learn by doing. Our most effective finance professionals started as solid, driven accountants – not as established controllers waiting for a team to deliver a finished report. We are therefore opening this role to ambitious junior and mid-level finance professionals who want to grow into a full controller seat within 12 to 24 months, with full support and structured milestones.
What will make you succeed here:
• You are hands-on: if the local team has not closed the books, you close them.
• You adapt fast: different countries, different GAAPs, different constraints – you find a way.
• You are genuinely excited by complex, emerging-market environments.
• You follow through: tasks do not go missing on your watch.
• You want to own something – not be managed into a box.
Key Responsibilities:
► PHASE 1 – MONTHS 0-12: Junior Controller – Learn, Execute, Deliver
In your first year you are not expected to lead the room. You are expected to know what is in it.
1. Financial Reporting – Hands-On Execution:
• Prepare month-end journals, accruals, and balance sheet reconciliations for assigned subsidiaries.
• Support consolidation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements under IFRS.
• Chase, validate, and organize submissions from local finance teams; escalate blockers immediately.
• Maintain the monthly reporting calendar and ensure all deadlines are met without reminders.
2. Internal Controls – Documentation & Testing:
• Document existing processes and controls for each subsidiary (process maps, control matrices).
• Execute control testing checklists; flag exceptions and follow up on remediation.
• Support periodic internal audits and coordinate evidence collection with local teams.
3. Cash & Treasury – Monitoring:
• Prepare weekly cash position reports across all subsidiaries.
• Monitor bank accounts, flag unusual movements, and escalate liquidity risks promptly.
• Process and verify intercompany settlements under CFO supervision.
4. Systems & Data – Ownership:
• Become the ERP/accounting system super-user for your assigned entities.
• Maintain chart of accounts accuracy; flag mapping errors or duplicates.
• Build and maintain clean, audit-ready data files (trial balances, sub-ledgers, reconciliations).
5. Local Team Liaison – Bridge Role:
• Act as the daily point of contact between the Mauritius SSC and local finance teams.
• Maintain a shared action log updated weekly; follow up relentlessly on open items.
• Travel to subsidiary countries when required – including higher-complexity environments – to work on-the-ground alongside local staff.
► PHASE 2 – MONTHS 12-24+: Growing Into the Full Controller Seat
As you demonstrate ownership and technical depth, responsibilities expand progressively and with your agreement:
6. Budgeting & Forecasting – Lead:
• Lead the annual budget process for assigned subsidiaries: templates, submissions, challenge sessions.
• Develop rolling forecasts and variance analysis with clear management commentary.
• Present budget vs. actual performance to CFO and regional leadership.
7. Tax & Regulatory Compliance – Oversight:
• Oversee tax filings (VAT, corporate income tax, withholding tax) across subsidiaries.
• Liaise with local advisors and tax authorities; manage audit response files.
• Ensure transfer pricing documentation is maintained; flag new regulatory changes proactively.
8. Financial Analysis & Business Partnering:
• Provide monthly financial insights and KPI dashboards to operational management.
• Identify cost-saving or revenue optimization opportunities through data analysis.
• Prepare board-ready financial packs and executive presentations.
9. Team Leadership – Coaching Local Finance Staff:
• Coach and support local finance team members across subsidiaries.
• Design and implement training on SSC processes, reporting standards, and tools.
• Foster a culture of accuracy, timeliness, and continuous improvement.
10. Risk Management – Full Ownership:
• Identify and quantify financial risks (FX, credit, operational); propose mitigation strategies.
• Monitor foreign exchange exposures; coordinate hedging or natural hedge approaches with CFO.
• Ensure adequate insurance coverage across all entities and operations.
Qualifications and Experience:
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field. Professional qualification required or actively in progress: ACCA, CIMA, CPA, CA. ACCA / CIMA finalists are strongly encouraged to apply – we will support completion of final exams.
• Experience: 2–4 years of progressive accounting or finance experience. Audit, financial reporting, or multi-entity exposure is a strong advantage. Prior Africa experience is a plus – not a prerequisite. Genuine willingness to engage with African markets is mandatory.
• Technical Skills: Solid IFRS knowledge; awareness of local GAAP differences. Proficiency in Excel (pivot tables, reconciliations, variance analysis). ERP system experience welcomed; ability to self-learn new systems is essential.
• Languages: English at professional working level – mandatory. French is a significant advantage given our francophone African subsidiaries.
• Personality & Values: Hands-on, execution-first: you do not wait to be told twice. Comfortable with ambiguity and imperfect information – you still deliver. Culturally adaptable: you respect local context while upholding SSC standards. Disciplined follow-through: action logs, deadlines, and checklists are your friends. High integrity: you raise a flag when something is wrong, regardless of pressure.
What We Offer:
• A clear, structured 12–24 month growth plan with defined milestones and a formal controller promotion review.
• Direct exposure to multi-country African operations from day one.
• Support for professional examination completion (ACCA / CIMA / CPA) where applicable.
• Mentorship from an experienced CFO team within a growing Pan-African logistics group.
• A family-oriented, high-trust culture: we expect hard work and we back our people.
• Competitive package benchmarked to the Mauritius SSC market, reviewed formally at the 12-month promotion milestone.
Growth Milestones – Path to Full Controller:
• Month 3: All assigned entities’ month-end closes delivered on time; action log maintained; ERP super-user status achieved. → Probation confirmed. Full Phase 1 responsibilities allocated.
• Month 6: Control documentation complete for all entities; cash reporting operating independently; first subsidiary country visit completed. → First salary review and mid-year performance discussion.
• Month 12: Full annual cycle completed (budget, reporting, audit prep) for at least one subsidiary; demonstrated ability to manage local teams remotely. → Formal promotion review: Junior Financial Controller → Financial Controller.
• Month 24: Phase 2 responsibilities fully owned; tax, FX risk monitoring, and business partnering operating autonomously. → Senior Controller career track conversation and full compensation benchmarking.
Benefits
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Training and professional development opportunities to enhance skills and expertise.
• Candidates should be willing to travel for training/missions to Belgium/Africa.
• Collaborative and supportive work environment with opportunities for teamwork and innovation.
Polytra Africa SSC is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in the workplace. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.
