Client Accountant

Stonehage Fleming Group; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 300 000 - 500 000; Full time

Job summary

A financial services firm in Johannesburg is seeking an experienced accountant to maintain accounting records and produce financial statements for trusts and companies. The role requires practical experience in financial services, a BCom Accounting degree, and strong communication skills. Candidates should have a good understanding of accounting standards, including IFRS for SMEs, and experience with tools like Caseware and Xero. This position offers the chance to work closely with clients and various departments in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• BCom Accounting graduate having completed SAIPA Articles (with Professional exam passed).
• Practical experience within the financial services environment in a similar role, with exposure to local trust and company structures.
• Registered Tax Practitioner or able to complete the SARS readiness program during the interview process.

Responsibilities

• Accounts maintenance of relevant information to trial balance level.
• Maintaining entity ledgers on a regular basis.
• Provision of relevant reports for client reporting purposes.

Skills

Accounting knowledge and competence

Technical experience in Caseware

Technical experience in Xero

Exceptional communication skills

Ability to manage expectations

Education

BCom Accounting graduate

Completed SAIPA Articles

Registered Tax Practitioner

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Posted Thursday, November 27, 2025 at 4:00 AM

OVERALL PURPOSE AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

The role is as part of a team in Cape Town and Johannesburg, which reports to the Client Accounting Team Leader. It involves maintaining the accounting records of and producing timely and accurate financial statements for onshore trusts and companies, therefore requiring close and regular interaction and collaboration with team members in both Cape Town and Johannesburg, all members of the Family Office team, clients, the international accounting team and various external business contacts (including banks, SARS, 3rd party and in-house custodians and in particular accounting and tax compliance service providers).

PRINCIPAL ELEMENTS & ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Accounts maintenance of relevant information to trial balance level as well as the preparation of financial statements Trusts & companies)
• Maintaining entity ledgers on a regular basis ensuring they are up-to-date
• Systematic filing and information gathering of client agreements with third parties to identify actions required such as issuing invoices.
• Work with relationship managers to gather relevant information to allow the team to prepare financial reports, tax and other statutory returns for our clients within strict deadlines
• Liaising with the Trust Administrator and Middle Office Teams to ensure adequate supporting documents are in place for various updates in clients.
• Provision of relevant reports for client reporting purposes including client meeting preparation
• Provision of reporting for local and international tax purposes
• Manage and maintain the tax compliance of allocated clients(Individuals, Trusts & Companies) by ensuring all tax affairs are accurate, up to date and adhere to relevant legislation.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• BCom Accounting graduate having completed SAIPA Articles (with Professional exam passed)
• Practical experience within the financial services environment in a similar role, with exposure to local trust and company structures.
• Registered tax Practitioner or able to complete the SARS readiness program during the interview process

SKILLS

This position requires a good understanding of the following:

• Accounting knowledge and competence including IFRS for SMEs, basic understanding of trusts and investments statements, and the interpretation of financial statements
• Technical experience in Caseware, Xero and Microsoft Office
• Exceptional communication skills
• Ability to manage expectations and competing priorities

COMPETENCIES AND BEHAVIOURS

• Energetic: Self-motivated and self-manages with a good work ethic (attitude), schedules and manages workload effectively, thinks ahead, sets plans to achieve goals
• Results orientated: Delivers work of a high standard, output is accurate and error free; owns delegated tasks and pays attention to detail, takes prompt action and sees tasks through to completion
• Resourceful problem solver: Considers the wider consequences of each decision, gathers and analyses information to find creative solutions
• Team player: Supports and works towards team goals, shares information, is helpful and cooperative, works effectively with people outside the immediate team
• Efficient and effective communicator: Communicates clearly and concisely with clients and colleagues of all levels, listens effectively, has well-presented written communication and the ability to deal with sophisticated clients
• Client focused: Understands and satisfies client needs at all times, takes full responsibility and accountability for all client matters including delegated tasks

This job description is a guide to the principal current duties of the job. It does not form part of the contract of employment