Assistant Accountant - Banking (French Speaking)

Lovisa Pty Ltd; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail company in Johannesburg is looking for a proactive Assistant Accountant to join their EMEA Banking Finance Team. You will ensure daily banking activities are completed accurately, prepare variance reports, and support month-end processes. Candidates should possess a tertiary qualification in Accounting or Finance, with 1-3 years of relevant experience. Proficiency in Excel and exposure to large ERP systems are essential. Join us to contribute to our diverse culture and operational accuracy.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Perform daily banking reconciliations and investigate discrepancies.
• Prepare weekly cash variance reports and provide commentary.
• Support month-end close process with timely submission of reconciliations.

Skills

Accounting principles

General ledger understanding

Excel proficiency

Time management

Communication skills

Education

Tertiary qualification in Accounting or Finance

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Microsoft Dynamics

Job description

The role

We are looking for a proactive and detail-focused Assistant Accountant to join our 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 the team with 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 and contribute directly to operational accuracy and control.

Key Responsibilities

• 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 make 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 meeting 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.

About You

• 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 pace environment.
• Ability to communicate well in spoken and written English
• Flexible and adaptable
• Inclusive and supportive
• Friendly and approachable

We believe in supporting diverse cultures and harnessing the unique knowledge and experience of our team. We celebrate our global presence, by supporting our culturally diverse team around the world.