Financial Accountant

HAZENDAL WINE ESTATE; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 500 000 - 600 000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent wine estate in South Africa is seeking a Financial Accountant to provide technical accounting support, ensure compliance with IFRS, and manage financial transactions. The successful candidate will maintain the general ledger, prepare accurate financial reports, and ensure all processes are compliant with internal policies. The role requires strong analytical skills and a commitment to high standards of professionalism.

Qualifications

• Must have a relevant finance/accounting qualification.
• Strong understanding of IFRS compliance required.
• Proficient in financial reconciliation and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Maintain the general ledger for all entities and divisions.
• Prepare and post journal entries accurately and timely.
• Ensure compliance with internal control framework.

Skills

Technical accounting

Financial reconciliation

Compliance with IFRS

Analytical skills

Process improvement

Education

Relevant finance/accounting qualification

Tools

Intaact

Salesforce

Excel

Monday.Com

MyInventory

Job description

Financial Accountant

Reports to: Finance Manager

Direct Reports: Financial Accountant, Accounts Payable Officer, Accounts Receivable Officer, Payroll Administrator, Treasury Clerk

Purpose of the Role

To provide technical accounting, control, and reporting support to the Finance Manager and CFO by ensuring all financial transactions are accurately processed, in time, reconciled, and compliant with internal policies and IFRS. The Financial Accountant acts as the engine room of the finance function, ensuring the Finance Manager can focus on performance management, strategic projects, and stakeholder engagement rather than transactional accounting.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Accounting & Month-End Close

• Maintain the general ledger for all Hazendal entities and divisions (Wine, Hospitality, Golf, Gallery, Wonderdal, Facilities and Administration).
• Prepare and post all journal entries, accruals, and adjustments accurately and timeously.
• Review all transactional postings (from AP, AR, Payroll, and Inventory) for accuracy before month-end close.
• Ensure that the trial balance is accurate, balanced, and ready for management reporting within the month-end timetable.
• Prepare the monthly reconciliation pack (banks, creditors, debtors, payroll, inventory, deposits, fixed assets, payroll, revenue, VAT etc).
• Work closely with the Finance Manager to review P&L by division, identify variances, and propose corrective entries.
• Maintain fixed asset register: capitalisation, depreciation, disposals, and impairment testing.

Compliance, Controls & Audit

• Ensure all transactions comply with Hazendal's internal control framework and Delegation of Authority (DOA).
• Maintain proper documentation and audit trails for all financial entries.
• Prepare audit schedules and liaise with external auditors during audits.
• Support tax compliance: VAT calculations, submissions, and reconciliations (monthly & bi-monthly).
• Ensure adherence to accounting standards (IFRS) and relevant tax laws.
• Monitor control weaknesses and report deviations to the Finance Manager.

Treasury & Cash Flow Support

• Prepare weekly cash flow updates for Finance Manager and CFO.
• Reconcile all bank accounts and ensure prompt resolution of discrepancies.
• Record shareholder loans and transfers accurately.
• Support treasury processes including payment preparation, petty cash management, and banking documentation.

Systems & Process Integrity

• Maintain master data and chart of accounts integrity in the accounting system.
• Ensure accurate integration between Intaact, POS systems, Opera, WineMs, Salesforce, Monday.Com, MyInventory and Payroll.
• Identify opportunities for automation and process improvement.
• Support financial manager in testing and implementing upgrades or new financial modules.

Financial Reporting & Analysis Support

• Prepare schedules and workings that feed into the monthly management accounts and board pack.
• Reconcile operational data (sales, inventory, production, occupancy, covers) with financial results.
• Assist Finance Manager with cost analysis and margin verification for Wine, F&B, and Events.
• Provide ad‑hoc financial analysis and reports for decision‑making.

Support to the Finance Manager

• Take ownership of all routine accounting and reconciliation work, ensuring the Finance Manager focuses on leadership, forecasting, and strategy.
• Provide timely, accurate, and organised information to the Finance Manager for reviews and presentations.
• Flag accounting or control issues proactively and propose solutions.
• Maintain a high standard of professionalism, accuracy, and confidentiality.

Key Deliverables / KPIs

• Month‑end close completed within 5 working days.
• All reconciliations up to date and signed off monthly.
• Zero material audit findings.
• VAT and statutory submissions accurate and on time.
• 100% compliance with DOA and internal controls.
• Timely and accurate financial schedules supporting management reporting.