Bursar (School Finance Officer)

New Generation Management Consulting; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A financial management consulting firm in Gauteng is seeking an experienced School Bursar to manage and maintain the school's finances. Key responsibilities include overseeing billing, payroll, financial reporting, and compliance with statutory requirements. The ideal candidate holds a degree in Accounting or Finance and has 3–5 years of experience in financial management, preferably in education. This role is full-time and pivotal to supporting the school's strategic goals.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in financial management, preferably in education or non-profit.
• Proficient in accounting software and Microsoft Excel.
• Knowledge of South African statutory and audit requirements.

Responsibilities

• Oversee billing and collections for the school.
• Prepare monthly financial reconciliations and reports.
• Process salary journals and maintain payroll compliance.
• Manage petty cash and banking activities.
• Assist with annual audits and budget preparation.

Skills

Knowledge of accounting principles and financial management

Attention to detail

Strong communication skills

Ability to work independently

Proactive problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree or diploma in Accounting, Finance, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Accounting software

Netcash

Job description

Overview

The School Bursar is responsible for managing and maintaining the financial health of the school. This role involves overseeing billing, collections, payroll journals, reconciliations, statutory compliance, and audit preparation. The bursar ensures that all financial processes run efficiently and accurately, supporting the school's strategic goals and providing clear financial reporting to the Business Development Executive and leadership team.

Responsibilities

• Billing & Fees Management: Oversee annuity billing for school fees; set up and maintain student billing profiles; import and update invoices and credit notes; apply sibling discounts and credits accurately; maintain up-to-date billing tracking sheets and database records; prepare bursary and trust letters with correct learner and fee information; issue monthly statements to parents and resolve queries professionally.
• Debit Order Administration: Create and manage debit order batches for monthly collections; maintain accurate debit mandates and parent instructions; monitor unpaid codes and take corrective actions in line with policy; reconcile debit order batches to ensure accuracy on Netcash or similar platforms.
• Financial Reconciliation & Reporting: Prepare accurate monthly reconciliations for current bank accounts, Netcash accounts, and debtors/creditors; allocate payments correctly and resolve variances promptly; produce monthly income statements and balance sheets for review by the Business Development Executive; monitor fixed assets, liabilities, and statutory accounts for accurate reporting.
• Payroll Journals & Compliance: Process salary journals and maintain a detailed payroll analysis for teachers and admin staff; update leave provision journals using HR reports; manage statutory submissions, including EMP, accurately and on time; ensure compliance with all relevant financial policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Petty Cash, Tuckshop & Banking: Oversee and reconcile petty cash transactions and tuckshop accounts; process all banking activities, including inter-account transfers, accurately and efficiently.
• Creditor & Payments: Review and process creditor payments in line with school policies; perform creditor reconciliations and resolve outstanding balances; monitor overdue accounts and implement strategies to improve creditor management; prepare and maintain audit-ready payment records.
• Audit & Budget Support: Prepare all financial reports and supporting documents required for annual audits; assist with the preparation, uploading, and management of the annual school budget; support the Business Development Executive in financial planning and forecasting.
• General Administration: Maintain accurate electronic and hard-copy filing systems for financial records; assist in the financial administration of excursions, events, and special projects; provide regular financial updates and insights to the Business Development Executive to support decision-making.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree or diploma in Accounting, Finance, or a related field (preferred).
• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in financial management, preferably within an educational institution or non-profit sector.
• Proficiency in accounting software and Microsoft Excel.
• Knowledge of South African statutory and audit requirements.
• Experience with Netcash or similar debit order platforms will be advantageous.

Skills & Attributes

• Strong knowledge of accounting principles and financial management.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• High integrity and ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.
• Strong communication skills to liaise effectively with staff, parents, and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Proactive and solutions-oriented approach to financial problem-solving.

Seniorities & Employment

• Seniority level: Associate
• Employment type: Full-time
• Job function: Education
• Industries: Primary and Secondary Education