Accounts Assistant

Bright Search Recruitment (Pty) Ltd; Randburg; On-site; ZAR 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency in South Africa is seeking an Accounts Assistant to join a luxury lodge's finance team in Johannesburg. The role involves maintaining financial records, preparing reports, and ensuring compliance in financial operations. The ideal candidate should have 1–3 years of experience in hospitality finance, be proficient in Microsoft Office, and have relevant educational qualifications.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years of experience in a similar role within the hospitality industry.
• Proficient in MS Office, especially Excel (intermediate to advanced).
• Familiarity with hospitality PMS systems preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate financial records, including daily transactions.
• Support preparation of financial reports and budgets.
• Communicate financial information to non-financial stakeholders.

Skills

Financial record keeping

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Risk management

Budgeting and forecasting

Education

Matric

Relevant tertiary qualification

Tools

Microsoft Office (especially Excel)

Pastel

VIP Payroll

Job description

Summary

An established luxury lodge and hotel group in Southern Africa is seeking a meticulous and motivated Accounts Assistant to join its dynamic finance team based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Renowned for its iconic safari lodges and boutique properties that attract a discerning international clientele, the group upholds the highest standards of excellence in hospitality. As an Accounts Assistant, you will play a vital role in supporting the financial operations of the business.

In the hospitality industry, an Accounts Assistant plays a crucial role in supporting financial operations, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficiency in day-to-day accounting tasks. Within luxury hotels and lodges, this role is essential to maintaining financial integrity and operational excellence. As an Accounts Assistant, you contribute to the smooth financial functioning of the establishment—processing transactions, reconciling accounts, and assisting with payroll and reporting—while upholding the refined standards that define luxury hospitality. Your diligence and precision help drive sustainable growth and reinforce the brands reputation for excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Record Keeping :

• Maintain accurate and well-organized financial records, including recording and categorizing daily financial transactions such as income, expenses, assets, and liabilities.
• Ensure entries are precise and compliant with accounting standards; update ledgers, reconcile accounts, and support the finance team in preparing reports and audits.

Financial Reporting :

• Support the preparation of key financial reports, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow summaries.
• Gather and verify financial data, ensuring accuracy and consistency across reports to aid management decision-making and meet regulatory requirements.

Budgeting & Forecasting :

• Assist in budgeting and forecasting processes by compiling budget data, tracking actual performance against budgets, and identifying variances.
• Update spreadsheets and contribute to the preparation of forecasts to support financial planning and resource allocation.

Risk Management :

• Contribute to the identification and monitoring of financial risks by ensuring accurate record-keeping and supporting compliance with financial procedures.
• Assist in reviewing financial data to identify irregularities or potential risks related to expenditures, payments, and reconciliations, supporting internal controls.

Communication :

• Communicate financial information clearly to non-financial stakeholders and collaborate with various departments, management, and external partners.
• Assist with clarifying invoice details, budgeting inputs, and responding to queries to ensure smooth financial operations and cross-functional teamwork.

Minimum Experience & Requirements

• Process supplier invoices and liaise with suppliers to resolve queries.
• Manage accruals, prepayments, and petty cash reconciliations.
• Verify F&B receiving against purchases, POs, and receipts.
• Ensure Aged Accounts Payable reports align with the General Ledger.
• Reconcile and balance cash, floats, and dockets daily.
• Complete monthly payroll and third-party statutory payments.
• Prepare monthly payroll journals.
• Handle debtor processing, reconciliation, and collections.
• Assist with stocktaking and ensure accurate processing of stock figures.
• Maintain systematic records of petty cash and financial documentation.
• Support internal control systems and report any discrepancies to management.
• 1–3 years a0experience in a similar role within the hospitality industry.
• Matric (minimum); a relevant tertiary qualification is advantageous.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Excel (intermediate to advanced).
• Experience with Pastel and VIP Payroll.
• Familiarity with hospitality PMS systems (NebulaPMS is a bonus).
• Valid RSA ID.