Chief Accountant

Esco; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Esco Lifesciences Group in Johannesburg, South Africa, seeks an experienced Chief Accountant to lead the finance and accounting function for our South Africa operations. You will oversee statutory compliance, payroll administration, and business analysis while partnering with local management to deliver accurate financial reporting and actionable insights.

The role covers accounting, tax compliance, audits, cash flow forecasting, and internal controls within a multinational context.

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in accounting/finance or related field.
• Professional qualification such as CA(SA)/CPA/ACCA preferred.
• Minimum 5–8 years of progressive accounting experience, preferably in a multinational environment.
• Experience handling payroll, statutory audits, and tax compliance in South Africa.

Responsibilities

• Lead the full set of accounts and general ledger management.
• Manage month-end and year-end closing processes.
• Prepare monthly management accounts, financial statements, and group reporting packages.
• Perform balance sheet reconciliations and ensure accuracy of financial records.
• Manage cash flow forecasting and working capital requirements.
• Ensure compliance with group accounting policies and internal controls.
• Analyze sales, margins, operating expenses, and profitability by product, customer, and business segment.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes.
• Provide financial analysis and recommendations to support commercial and operational decision-making.
• Monitor financial performance against budget and identify risks and opportunities.
• Develop business performance dashboards and management reports.
• Process monthly payroll for local employees accurately and on time.
• Ensure compliance with South African payroll regulations, PAYE, UIF, SDL, and other statutory requirements.
• Coordinate payroll-related reporting, employee benefits administration, and payroll audits.
• Act as the local finance contact for employee reimbursement and payroll matters.
• Coordinate with external auditors and manage annual statutory audits.
• Prepare and review VAT, corporate income tax, withholding tax, and other statutory filings.
• Liaise with tax advisors, auditors, banks, and regulatory authorities.
• Ensure compliance with South African accounting, tax, and employment regulations.
• Maintain statutory records and support corporate secretarial requirements where applicable.
• Oversee accounts receivable, collections, accounts payable, and treasury activities.
• Monitor inventory accounting and stock controls.
• Review and approve payment vouchers, expense claims, and purchase transactions.
• Support continuous improvement of finance processes and controls.
• Perform other duties assigned by management.

Skills

Financial analysis

Business partnering

Payroll experience

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline

CA(SA), CPA, ACCA or equivalent preferred

Tools

Microsoft Excel

ERP systems (Business Central)

Job description

Esco Lifesciences Group is improving lives through science. Headquartered in Singapore and operating in 43 locations globally, Esco is building a synergistic ecosystem of life science tools, diagnostics, therapies, and technologies to improve human lives.

Job Title: Chief Accountant

Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

Job Overview

We are seeking an experienced Chief Accountant to lead the finance and accounting function for our South Africa operations. The role combines financial accounting, statutory compliance, payroll administration, commercial finance support, and business analysis. The successful candidate will serve as the key finance partner to local management, ensuring accurate financial reporting, regulatory compliance, and actionable business insights.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the full set of accounts and general ledger management.
• Manage month-end and year-end closing processes.
• Prepare monthly management accounts, financial statements, and group reporting packages.
• Perform balance sheet reconciliations and ensure accuracy of financial records.
• Manage cash flow forecasting and working capital requirements.
• Ensure compliance with group accounting policies and internal controls.

Commercial Finance & Business Analysis

• Analyze sales, margins, operating expenses, and profitability by product, customer, and business segment.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes.
• Provide financial analysis and recommendations to support commercial and operational decision-making.
• Monitor financial performance against budget and identify risks and opportunities.
• Develop business performance dashboards and management reports.

Payroll & HR Administration

• Process monthly payroll for local employees accurately and on time.
• Ensure compliance with South African payroll regulations, PAYE, UIF, SDL, and other statutory requirements.
• Coordinate payroll-related reporting, employee benefits administration, and payroll audits.
• Act as the local finance contact for employee reimbursement and payroll matters.

Tax, Audit & Statutory Compliance

• Coordinate with external auditors and manage annual statutory audits.
• Prepare and review VAT, corporate income tax, withholding tax, and other statutory filings.
• Liaise with tax advisors, auditors, banks, and regulatory authorities.
• Ensure compliance with South African accounting, tax, and employment regulations.
• Maintain statutory records and support corporate secretarial requirements where applicable.

Operational Finance

• Oversee accounts receivable, collections, accounts payable, and treasury activities.
• Monitor inventory accounting and stock controls.
• Review and approve payment vouchers, expense claims, and purchase transactions.
• Support continuous improvement of finance processes and controls.
• Perform other duties assigned by management.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline.
• Professional qualification such as CA(SA), CPA, ACCA, or equivalent preferred.
• Minimum 5–8 years of progressive accounting experience, preferably in a multinational environment.
• Experience handling payroll, statutory audits, and tax compliance in South Africa.
• Strong financial analysis and business partnering capabilities.
• Proficiency in ERP systems (Business Central experience is an advantage).
• Strong Microsoft Excel and financial modelling skills.
• High level of integrity, attention to detail, and accountability.
• Able to work independently and communicate effectively with stakeholders across functions.

Preferred Background

• Experience in manufacturing, distribution, or life sciences industries.
• Prior experience supporting commercial operations and management decision-making.