Accountant - Billing and Accounts Receivable

AESG; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 360,000 - 480,000; Full time

Job summary

AESG is seeking an Accounts Receivable Accountant in Cape Town to oversee daily AR activities, ensure timely invoicing and collections, and support the AR team. The role requires strong AR knowledge, familiarity with SAP/Oracle/NetSuite/QuickBooks, and excellent problem-solving and communication skills.

The candidate will work with cross-regional teams, manage complex accounts, assist in month-end close, and contribute to process improvements while upholding internal controls.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or related field preferred.
• 3-5 years of experience in Accounts Receivable preferably in the Consulting industry
• Strong knowledge of AR processes, billing, cash applications, collections, and reconciliations
• Proficient in accounting software (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, QuickBooks) and Microsoft Excel
• Excellent problem-solving, organizational, and time-management skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to lead a team
• Experience working with cross regional teams
• Engineering Consultancy experience preferred

Responsibilities

• Oversee and coordinate daily accounts receivable activities, ensuring timely billing and collection of payments
• Support other AR staff, assigning tasks and monitoring performance to meet departmental goals
• Review aging reports and assist in the resolution of delinquent accounts
• Handle complex customer accounts and high-priority collections
• Reconcile accounts, process adjustments, and manage disputes in coordination with sales and customer service teams
• Generate and analyse AR reports; provide regular updates to management
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, company policies, and applicable laws/regulations
• Assist in month-end and year-end closing processes, including journal entries and reconciliations
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and assist in implementing best practices
• Ensure ongoing personal development

Skills

AR processes

Billing

Collections

Reconciliations

Team leadership

Cross-regional collaboration

Communication skills

Time management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting/Finance

3-5 years AR experience

Tools

SAP

Oracle

NetSuite

QuickBooks

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Due to the continuing success and growth of our AESG team, a fantastic opportunity has opened up at our award-winning Specialist Consultancy, Engineering and Advisory Firm.

We are headquartered in London, Riyadh, Singapore and Dubai, Cape Town, Cairo & Sydney working throughout the Middle East, Europe and Asia. Our areas of expertise are represented in four core verticals: Building Engineering, Planning and Infrastructure, Strategy and Advisory and Commissioning, Handover and Asset Management.

We pride ourselves in being leaders in the industry in each of the services that we offer. We have one of the largest dedicated team with decades of cumulative experience in sustainable design, fire and life safety, cost management, façade engineering, commissioning, building performance, waste management, environmental consultancy, carbon management and acoustics.

Job Purpose

The Accounts Receivable Accountant is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the accounts receivable team to ensure accurate invoicing, timely collections and excellent customer service. This role acts as a point of contact for all billing matters and ensures adherence to AR policies and procedures.

Qualification / Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or related field preferred
• 3-5 years of experience in Accounts Receivable preferably in the Consulting industry
• Strong knowledge of AR processes, billing, cash applications, collections, and reconciliations
• Proficient in accounting software (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, QuickBooks) and Microsoft Excel
• Excellent problem-solving, organizational, and time-management skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to lead a team
• Experience working with cross regional teams
• Engineering Consultancy experience preferred

Responsibilities

• Oversee and coordinate daily accounts receivable activities, ensuring timely billing and collection of payments
• Support other AR staff, assigning tasks and monitoring performance to meet departmental goals
• Review aging reports and assist in the resolution of delinquent accounts
• Handle complex customer accounts and high-priority collections
• Reconcile accounts, process adjustments, and manage disputes in coordination with sales and customer service teams
• Generate and analyse AR reports; provide regular updates to management
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, company policies, and applicable laws/regulations
• Assist in month-end and year-end closing processes, including journal entries and reconciliations
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and assist in implementing best practices
• Ensure ongoing personal development

COMPETENCIES

• Leadership / Management skills - Incorporating management or supervision of tasks. Comprehending mentor guidance while still taking the initiative, occasionally seeking guidance to ensure successful performance.
• Communication / Collaboration - Engaging in more complex interactions, such as active participation in meetings, presenting to small groups, and contributing to team discussions. Working as part of a team (collaboration). Clear communication with good listening skills, patient, adaptable and take responsibility.
• Technical Knowledge / Expertise - Collaborating with more experienced colleagues, leveraging their valuable insights and feedback. Developing analytical skills and ability to autonomously execute operational tasks following instruction.
• Creativity / Innovation - Actively participating in Operational projects. Contributing ideas and solutions that align with their role’s responsibilities. Collaborating and learning to refine and expand upon concepts. Demonstrating adaptability and flexibility.
• Stakeholder Focus / Relationship Building - Managing communication on tasks and operational projects with support from more senior team members. Independently manage third-party providers.
• Strategic Vision / Planning - Contributing to the larger picture. Buy-in to corporate strategy. Learning to prioritise asks and coordinate with colleagues.

Demonstrated Knowledge Base And Professional Skillset

• Time Management / Planning - Coordinating tasks and operational projects. Learning to set delivery timelines, delegate tasks, and use basic software tools. Understanding the importance of planning and scheduling. Able to set priorities, identify and reduce common distractions.
• Industry Experience / Thought Leadership - Supporting team in Operational project delivery. Handling larger subsets of tasks.
• Operational Delivery - Contributing by independently carrying out tasks and supporting more senior team members. Developing skills in task management, process optimisation and problem-solving.
• Leadership / Team Management Experience - Demonstrates strong willingness to learn and developing enthusiasm for the principals of leadership and management. Contributing to shared goals and upholding AESG Core Values.
• Commercial Acumen/ Business Development - General understanding of the operational and commercial aspects within the organisation, including cost control. Assisting senior team members in tasks, tracking progress, maintaining documentation and ensuring smooth coordination.
• Problem Solving / Decision Making - Actively practicing problem-solving and decision-making techniques. Analyse situations, gather information, and proactively proposing solutions. Participate in team discussions and contribute to problem-solving efforts.
• Employee Focus / Process Compliance - Actively contributing to creating a positive employee experience, organising team-building activities, participating in employee feedback discussions. Understanding the link between employee engagement and organisational performance. Preparing and maintaining policy or process-related documents.