CFO Recruitment South Africa
PMG recruits Chief Financial Officers and Finance Directors for businesses across South Africa — confidential executive search for finance leaders who combine technical depth, commercial judgement and board-level influence.
PMG Recruitment Services has been recruiting in South Africa since 2008. We work nationally, handle both confidential headhunting and multi-site recruitment, and assess every candidate against the realities of your business — not just their CV.
What This Role Covers
CFOs and Finance Directors are typically responsible for:
- Financial strategy, planning and capital allocation
- Reporting to the board, shareholders and lenders
- Funding, banking relationships and cash management
- Tax, audit, risk and governance
- Leading and developing the finance team
- Partnering with the CEO and operations on performance and growth
What We Assess
CFO appointments rarely fail on technical ability. They fail when the finance leader can’t influence the board, can’t partner with operations, or has the wrong experience for the business’s next stage — growth, turnaround, funding or exit. We assess track record in comparable businesses, commercial and strategic contribution, board and stakeholder experience, and leadership of finance teams, as well as qualifications such as CA(SA).
CFO Salary Benchmarks
CFO packages vary widely with company size, sector, listed or private ownership and incentive structures. Our Finance Salary Guide 2026 covers benchmarks from financial accountant to CFO level, and we can provide a tailored benchmark for a specific appointment.
Example Role Profile
See an example of the kind of CFO role we typically recruit for: view the role profile.
Part of Our Executive Search Practice
CFO recruitment sits within PMG’s Executive Search and Finance Recruitment practices, covering senior leadership and finance roles across South African industry.
Current Vacancies
Browse our current vacancies for open roles we’re recruiting for right now. If nothing matches today, submit your CV via the Candidate Portal and we’ll be in touch when a suitable role comes up.
How We Work
- We take a detailed brief on the role, the team and the business context — not just a job spec.
- We search and approach candidates, including those who are not actively looking, and assess them against that brief.
- We present a short, well-matched shortlist with context on each candidate.
- We support you through interviews, offer and start date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CFO recruitment confidential?
Yes. CFO searches are usually run discreetly and are often not advertised. We approach candidates directly and protect the identity of the business until the right stage.
Do you recruit Financial Directors and Financial Controllers too?
Yes. We recruit across senior finance, including Financial Controllers, Finance Managers and Financial Directors.
How long does a CFO search take?
It depends on the brief and the market, but most searches move from brief to shortlist within a few weeks. Notice periods for senior finance leaders are often one to three months, so it pays to start early.
Hiring a CFO?
Tell us about the role and a consultant will get back to you with next steps — or browse our current vacancies if you’re looking for your next role.