Financial Accountant

The Financial Accountant is responsible for ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and completeness of financial records up to Trial Balance level, with oversight of bookkeeping, debtors, and creditors, while maintaining compliance with South African statutory requirements. The role includes the preparation of monthly management accounts, cash flow forecasts, and financial analyses to support decision-making, as well as supervising finance staff, strengthening internal controls, and driving continuous process improvements to enhance efficiency and governance.

Key Responsibilities
Financial Reporting & Control
- Ensure accurate recording and reconciliation of all financial transactions up to TB
- Review and validate bookkeeping entries, journals, reconciliations, and the alignment of sub-ledgers to General Ledger balances
- Prepare & present monthly management accounts, accruals, provisions, and year-end audit files
- Maintain, update, and reconcile the Fixed Asset Register in line with accounting standards

Compliance & Statutory Submissions
- Accurately calculate and submit VAT returns
- Ensure compliance with financial legislation and company policies
- Manage banking activities, including debit orders and reconciliations

Treasury & Cashflow
- Review and approve creditor reconciliations and payment runs to ensure accuracy and proper authorisation processes
- Monitor and manage debtor collections and creditor payment cycles to support healthy cash flow
- Support on the online banking

Staff Supervision & Leadership
- Lead, manage, and mentor the finance team, ensuring high performance and accountability
- Oversee payroll processes, including the accuracy of timesheets and salary payments
- Support recruitment, onboarding, training, and ongoing performance management of finance staff
- Maintain effective communication and collaboration with branches and other departments

Strategic & Operational Support
- Implement and improve financial policies, procedures, and internal controls
- Support operational problem-solving and provide financial analysis for management
decisions

Stakeholder Management
- Liaise with branches daily to resolve financial queries
- Maintain strong relationships with auditors, banks, and other external partners

Requirements
- BCom Accounting (essential); BCom Honours / SAIPA / SAICA articles advantageous
- Minimum of 5 years’ relevant experience in a financial accounting role
- Demonstrated experience in staff supervision and effective team management
- Exposure to multi-branch or multi-entity environments will be advantageous 5 years in a financial accounting role

Skills
- Strong financial reporting capabilities with sound technical accounting knowledge, including IFRS
- Comprehensive understanding of taxation and statutory compliance requirements
- Highly analytical, detail-oriented, and solutions-driven, with the ability to identify and resolve financial issues effectively
- Strong leadership, supervisory, and communication skills
- Proficient in Omni (or equivalent ERP), MS Excel, and financial reporting tools