Finance Manager

Location: Colombo, Sri Lanka

Full-time

About Client Partner

Our client is a prominent Sri Lankan corporate group and an established distributor representing global OEM automotive franchises across the country. Operating within the automotive, mobility, and engineering sectors, the enterprise manages comprehensive import, sales, aftersales, and spare parts distribution networks, supported by strong financial management and modern technology infrastructure.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced, strategic Finance Manager to spearhead overall financial management, treasury, and accounting operations for the automotive division. Reporting to senior group leadership, this role is responsible for enhancing profitability, optimizing cash flow, strengthening internal controls, and supporting key operational and strategic business decisions. The successful candidate will lead the finance team, manage bank relationships, oversee inventory controls, drive ERP systems, and ensure full statutory compliance.

Responsibilities

Financial Reporting & Management Accounting: Prepare accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, management accounts, budgets, and operational forecasts.
Treasury, Banking & Trade Finance: Oversee daily cash flow, manage banking relationships, handle financing facilities, and execute import costing, letters of credit (LCs), and foreign currency transactions.
Inventory Control & Audit: Oversee multi-location inventory accounting, stock valuation, physical inventory audits, and internal control frameworks.
ERP & Systems Optimization: Drive enterprise resource planning (ERP) system utilization, oversee ongoing ERP implementations, and streamline financial process planning.
Statutory Compliance & Governance: Ensure strict adherence to Sri Lanka Accounting Standards (SLFRS/LKAS), corporate tax requirements, statutory filings, and external audit processes.
Team Leadership & Operations: Lead, mentor, and develop the finance team, ensuring accurate general ledger operations, payroll processing, reconciliations, and timely month-end financial closures.

Requirements

Professional Qualifications: Fully qualified in CIMA, CA Sri Lanka, ACCA, or an equivalent recognized professional accounting qualification.
Experience: Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in finance and accounting, including at least 2 years in a managerial role overseeing a finance team or function. Prior experience within an automotive franchise distributor or import/assembly sector is a distinct advantage.
Technical Expertise: Sound knowledge of SLFRS/LKAS, Sri Lankan tax regulations, trade finance, import costing, and foreign exchange transactions.
Systems Proficiency: High proficiency in ERP systems and advanced Microsoft Excel.
Leadership Competencies: Strong commercial judgment, analytical mindset, strategic leadership, and excellent cross-functional communication skills.

Benefits

Competitive executive compensation and benefits package.
High-visibility financial leadership role within a premier global automotive distributor.
Strategic involvement in scaling operational controls, technology platforms, and market expansion.

Finance Manager -Automotive