Assistant Accountant - Banking

Lovisa Pty Ltd; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 250,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

A retail company in Johannesburg is seeking a proactive and detail-focused Assistant Accountant. You will ensure daily banking activities and reconciliations are completed accurately, contributing to key finance functions including reporting and payment monitoring. The ideal candidate has 1-3 years of accounting experience, a relevant tertiary qualification, and proficiency in Excel. Join a dynamic team to support operational accuracy and control.

Qualifications

• 1-3 years of experience in an accounting or assistant accountant role.
• Strong understanding of general ledger, banking transactions, and reconciliations.
• High attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Perform daily banking reconciliations and investigate discrepancies promptly.
• Prepare weekly cash variance reports for assigned countries.
• Support month-end close process with reconciliations and journals.

Skills

Accounting principles

ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics)

Excel proficiency

Communication skills

Time management

Education

Tertiary qualification in Accounting or Finance

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Microsoft Dynamics

Job description

Overview

We are recruiting a proactive and detail-focused Assistant Accountant to join the EMEA Banking Finance Team. This role is essential in ensuring daily banking activities and reconciliations are completed accurately and on time. The successful candidate will support core finance functions including cash and banking reconciliations, reporting, payment monitoring, and month-end processes. You will work closely with the Accounts Payable, Occupancy, and Loss Prevention teams to contribute to operational accuracy and control.

Responsibilities

• Daily Banking and Reconciliations: Perform daily banking reconciliations and investigate discrepancies promptly. Monitor cash deposits and ensure they are accurately allocated and recorded. Work closely with the AP and Occupancy teams to track and reconcile payments made from bank accounts.
• Weekly Reporting and Variance Analysis: Prepare weekly missed banking and cash variance reports for assigned countries. Provide commentary and context on cash variances for discussion with the Loss Prevention team. Collaborate with the retail operations and loss prevention teams to understand root cause and support resolution plans.
• Month-End Accounting: Prepare and post journals for bank fees and interest income; interbank transfers; store deposit variances; accruals for direct debits where invoices are not yet recorded. Support the month-end close process with timely submission of reconciliations and journals. Prepare monthly balance sheet reconciliations for Bank accounts, Gift Voucher Liability accounts, Cash clearing accounts, Trade Creditors clearing accounts, Team expense claim clearing accounts and Cash advance accounts. Investigate and clear reconciling items in a timely manner, escalating as needed.
• Meetings and Stakeholder Engagement: Attend weekly meetings with Loss Prevention and the Banking team. Present findings and updates for assigned countries, focusing on missed banking and cash variances. Collaborate across teams to ensure timely resolution of cash issues and prevent recurrences.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline (or currently studying).
• 1-3 years of experience in an accounting or assistant accountant role.
• Strong understanding of general ledger, banking transactions, and reconciliations.
• Proficient in Excel (lookups, pivot, reconciliation tools).
• High attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines.

Skills And Attributes

• An understanding of accounting principles.
• Exposure to large ERP systems (e.g. SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics).
• Retail or multi-site operational experience.
• Proven ability to plan, organise and deliver results on time in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to communicate well in spoken and written English.
• Flexible and adaptable.
• Inclusive and supportive.
• Friendly and approachable.