Financial Accountant

Conservation International; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

An Environmental Non-Profit Organization based in Cape Town is seeking a Financial Accountant to oversee financial control for allocated landscapes. Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree and relevant experience, with strong skills in VAT analysis and MS Excel. The role involves supporting budget creation, ensuring compliance with financial policies, and assisting finance teams with financial planning. This is a fixed-term role anticipated to start in Nov/Dec.

Qualifications

• 4 to 6 years of relevant experience for articled applicants.
• Minimum of 10 years experience for non-articled applicants.
• Proven competence in payroll processing and SARS audits.

Responsibilities

• Support financial planning and budgeting processes.
• Scrutinize financial transaction paperwork.
• Prepare monthly cash-flow forecasts for various landscapes.

Skills

Competence with VAT analysis and submissions

Proficiency in MS Excel

Interpersonal skills

Detail-oriented

Education

Bachelor's of Commerce (BCom)

Completed articles at a recognized accounting organization

Tools

Unit 4 Business World

Payroll software

Job description

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Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity.

Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and for people.

With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.

Conservation South Africa (CSA), an affiliate of Conservation International, is committed to helping societies adopt a sustainable approach to development, that considers and values nature at every turn and improves human well-being through the conservation of healthy ecosystems and the goods and services they provide.

CSA seeks to influence policy, develop markets, engage the private sector, and support communities to develop and implement conservation-based economic growth models.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Finance Manager, the Financial Accountant will be responsible for all aspects of the financial control environment of their allocated landscapes, working closely with the project teams across all areas of financial management, control, and budgeting.

The primary focus will be on capturing all financial transactions accurately, completely, and time-synchronously within the various accounting systems used by CSA.

The Financial Accountant will support the landscape teams in financial planning, budget creation, cost tracking, and donor reporting, and will ensure compliance with Conservation International's financial and donor reporting policies.

Responsibilities

Become familiar with the financial systems and controls utilized by CSA.

Support the creation and approval of vendors, processing invoices, and matching payments in CSA's finance software – Unit 4 Business World.

Meet month-end deadlines and ensure proper documentation complies with procurement requirements before disbursements are made.

Scrutinize all paperwork relating to financial transactions for the relevant landscape, including office expenditure, travel claims, and assets / equipment.

Provide feedback and guidance to managers and the Ops Director on any compliance issues arising from monthly reports.

Process journals prior to month-end closure relating to travel activities, staff claims, and advances, payrolls, bank account transactions, fleet cards, reconciliations, reallocations, etc.

Prepare monthly cash-flow forecasts for various landscapes and submit to Managers, Operations, and Finance Directors.

Assist with budgets and budget reporting for various landscapes.

Act as backup to the debtor function, including timely issue of invoices / statements and processing of receipts.

Review month-to-month general ledger transactions to ensure accurate capturing of financial information and report any discrepancies.

Prepare and assist with monthly reconciliations of balance sheet items, VAT analysis, payroll processing, asset registers, and conduct asset verification.

Attend weekly finance meetings, assist with setting up online meetings, and take meeting notes.

Maintain finance files to ensure audit-ready status and accurate submission of monthly timesheets.

Assist with internal, external, and project / donor audit queries.

Be prepared to take on additional activities as projects grow, working independently with minimal supervision.

Additional Responsibilities

Provide support to the Finance Manager in ad-hoc focus areas.

Contribute to improving financial control efficiencies, effectiveness, and alignment with CSA strategic objectives.

People And Resource Management Responsibilities

Assist in training and coaching junior staff and non-finance staff via on-the-job training.

Conduct performance assessments of all staff being managed.

Working Conditions

Typical office environment.

Ability and willingness to travel regularly to field sites within southern Africa.

Flexibility to work extended hours to meet deadlines.

2-year fixed-term assignment, anticipated to begin Nov / Dec

• and end Oct / Nov

Qualifications

Bachelor's of Commerce (BCom) or equivalent qualification.

Preference for applicants with completed articles at a recognised South African accounting organisation; non-articled applicants with strong work experience are also considered.

4 to 6 years of progressive relevant experience for articled applicants, and a minimum of 10 years for non-articled.

Ability to complete the entire accounting process cycle from transaction origination through to the Trial Balance.

Proven competence with VAT analysis, submissions, reconciliations, and SARS audits.

Proven competence with payroll processing, analysis, reviews, reconciliations, and SARS audits.

Accreditation or certification with a recognised payroll software advantageous.

Valid driver's licence.

Experience with MS Office software, especially advanced MS Excel.

Strong administrative and interpersonal skills; proactive, initiative-driven, deadline-oriented.

Meticulous, detail-oriented, logical thinker, and team player.

Experience working in the NGO sector, preferably in an international NGO.

Experience with complex finance systems advantageous.

Preferred

Strong academic credentials.

Ability to bring a sense of fun, aliveness, and flow to the team.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please submit a resume and cover letter.

Application deadline : 17 October

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Conservation International is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals.

We believe in hiring based on merit and qualifications, ensuring a fair and inclusive hiring process for everyone.

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