Assistant Finance Manager - Pongola

HotelJobs; Pongola; On-site; ZAR 360,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

HotelJobs is seeking an Assistant Finance Manager for a Luxury Safari Lodge near Pongola, KwaZulu-Natal. The role supports the Finance Manager in all financial and accounting functions across controls, reporting, cost and stock management.

You will assist with month-end procedures, payroll support, and interdepartmental financial guidance to ensure accuracy and confidentiality in a luxury lodge environment.

Qualifications

• Experience with reconciliations, creditors, debtors and financial reporting.
• Strong accounting principles and financial controls.
• Hospitality industry experience is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Assist with day-to-day financial operations of the lodge.
• Process journals, accruals and month-end adjustments.
• Handle accounts payable and supplier payments.
• Assist with accounts receivable and debtor reporting.
• Support payroll reconciliations and confidentiality in remuneration.

Skills

Reconciliations

Creditors & Debtors

Financial Reporting

Interdepartmental Collaboration

Education

Grade 12 / Matric

Diploma or Degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

PMS/POS systems

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Luxury Game Lodge near Pongola is looking for a passionate and experienced Assistant Finance Manager to support the Finance Manager in ensuring the effective, accurate and timely management of all financial and accounting functions. The role is responsible for assisting with financial controls, reconciliations, reporting, accounts payable and receivable, cash management, stock and cost control, payroll support, budgeting and general financial administration. Working within a luxury 5* safari lodge environment, the Assistant Finance Manager must maintain a high level of accuracy, confidentiality and integrity while supporting the operational departments and ensuring that financial procedures and controls are consistently followed.

Duties:

• Financial Administration & Accounting: Assist with the day-to-day financial operations of the lodge. Capture and process financial transactions accurately and timeously. Maintain accurate accounting records and supporting documentation. Assist with month-end and year-end financial procedures. Prepare and process journals as required. Assist with accruals, prepayments and other month-end adjustments. Ensure all financial documentation is properly filed and readily available for audit purposes. Identify and report financial discrepancies, irregularities or potential risks to the Finance Manager.
• Accounts Payable: Process supplier invoices and ensure they are appropriately authorised. Verify invoices against purchase orders, delivery notes and supporting documentation. Ensure supplier accounts are accurately reconciled. Assist with weekly and monthly payment preparations. Monitor outstanding supplier invoices and queries. Maintain professional relationships with suppliers.
• Accounts Receivable & Debtors: Assist with the accurate invoicing of guests, agents, companies and other accounts. Monitor outstanding balances and follow up on overdue accounts. Allocate payments accurately. Reconcile debtor accounts. Investigate and resolve discrepancies promptly. Assist the Finance Manager with monthly debtor reporting.
• Banking & Cash Management: Assist with daily banking and cash-up procedures. Reconcile bank accounts and investigate variances. Monitor cash handling procedures across the lodge. Ensure cash-up documentation is accurate and complete. Assist with petty cash management and reconciliations. Ensure all cash handling complies with company controls and procedures.
• Stock & Cost Control: Assist with stock counts across relevant lodge departments. Monitor stock movements and investigate variances. Assist with food, beverage, housekeeping and operational cost control. Ensure stock sheets and supporting documentation are completed accurately. Assist in identifying wastage, losses or unusual variances. Work closely with the Executive Chef, Food & Beverage, Housekeeping and other HODs to maintain effective cost controls. Assist with monthly stock takes and reporting.
• Financial Reporting: Assist with the preparation of monthly management accounts and financial reports. Compile financial information for the Finance Manager and management team. Prepare departmental expenditure reports and variance analysis. Monitor actual expenditure against budgets. Highlight significant variances and assist with explanations. Provide accurate financial information to HODs where required.
• Budgeting & Forecasting: Assist with the preparation of annual budgets and forecasts. Monitor departmental spending against approved budgets. Assist HODs in understanding their departmental financial performance. Track operational expenses and identify areas where cost savings may be achieved. Assist with financial projections and cash‑flow monitoring.
• Payroll Support: Provide financial support to the payroll process where required. Assist with payroll reconciliations and verification of payroll‑related financial information. Ensure payroll journals and related accounting entries are correctly processed. Maintain confidentiality regarding employee remuneration and financial information. Work closely with HR and Finance to resolve payroll discrepancies.
• Internal Controls & Compliance: Ensure financial procedures are consistently followed. Assist with maintaining appropriate segregation of duties. Ensure transactions are appropriately authorised. Assist with internal and external audits. Prepare supporting documentation requested during audits. Report suspected financial irregularities or control weaknesses immediately. Maintain strict confidentiality regarding lodge, guest, supplier and employee financial information.
• Lodge Operations & Interdepartmental Support: The Assistant Finance Manager is expected to understand the financial impact of lodge operations and work collaboratively with all departments. The Assistant Finance Manager should provide financial guidance and support, while ensuring that operational decisions remain within approved budgets, policies and financial controls.

Requirements:

• Grade 12 / Matric.
• Diploma or Degree in Accounting, Finance, Financial Management or a related field.
• Minimum 3–5 years' relevant finance/accounting experience.
• Previous experience in a hotel, lodge, resort or hospitality environment is highly advantageous.
• Strong understanding of accounting principles and financial controls.
• Experience with reconciliations, creditors, debtors and financial reporting.
• Strong computer literacy, particularly Microsoft Excel.
• Experience with hospitality accounting systems and/or PMS/POS systems will be advantageous.
• Previous experience in a luxury lodge or five-star hospitality environment.
• Experience with stock and cost control.
• Experience with payroll accounting.
• Knowledge of hospitality‑specific financial reporting.
• Relevant accounting qualification or professional studies.