Financial Accountant (Tourism)

Innovation Advance Group; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

Innovation Advance Group seeks a Financial Accountant (Tourism) to join its elite finance team. This role blends precise financial processing with the high-energy travel industry, impacting global luxury experiences.

You will manage monthly close, stock reconciliations, VAT, and revenue recognition for Rewards Club and Tours-related activities, while upholding internal controls and supporting cross‑department collaboration.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant or degree holder with accounting background.
• 3–5 years’ experience in a similar role.
• Tourplan experience essential; strong Excel skills.

Responsibilities

• Liaise with suppliers, reservations managers/consultants, and internal teams to resolve queries.
• Review and release payments across multiple banking platforms.
• Support monthly close, reconciliations, and forecasting for tourism operations.
• Strengthen internal controls and assist with audits and compliance (AML, FICA).
• Manage refunds, commissions, and suspense accounts per policy.
• Collaborate with Debtors, Sales, and Reservations teams to optimise processes.

Education

Accounting qualification or degree

Tools

Tourplan

MS Office (Excel)

Job description

Financial Accountant (Tourism)

Step Into a Role Where Finance Meets Adventure

If you’re a detail‑driven finance professional who thrives in a fast‑paced, world‑class tourism environment, this opportunity will energise you. As a key member of our Client’s elite Finance Team, you’ll be part of a culture that values excellence, continuous learning, and operational precision.

This is a dynamic role where your insights, accuracy, and problem‑solving directly influence the success of high-end travel experiences across the globe.

What Makes This Role Exciting

You’ll collaborate with multiple departments, streamline financial processes, strengthen internal controls, and support teams that deliver unforgettable travel moments. Every day brings new challenges, new stakeholders, and new opportunities to elevate financial performance.

Key Outputs:

Daily Responsibilities

• Liaise with suppliers, reservations managers/consultants, and internal teams to resolve queries
• Review and release payments across multiple banking platforms
• Rewards Club: daily management and processing of Rewards Club transactions
• Rewards Club: financial support for relationship managers and reservations teams
• Act as Finance liaison to Sales, DMC, Commercial, and internal Finance teams
• Ensure compliance with AML, FICA, and company policies
• Approve refunds and commissions in line with policy
• Continuous review and strengthening of internal controls

Weekly Responsibilities

• Support Touring Team with ad hoc functions to improve efficiency
• Prepare bank reconciliations and resolve outstanding items
• Rewards Travel: processing and reconciliation of credit card transactions
• Rewards Club: reconciliation and clearing of suspense account transactions
• Rewards Club: follow up on membership shortfalls

Monthly Responsibilities

• Tourplan financial period close

• Revaluation and review of all bank reconciliations
• Prepare and review balance sheet reconciliations
• Review regional stock sheets, process stock movements, investigate write‑offs
• VAT calculations, submissions, and query resolution
• Rewards Travel: revenue preparation and quarterly reconciliations
• Rewards Club: member statement reconciliations, commission calculations, month‑end schedules, monthly expiries
• Management account preparation and review
• Accurate monthly and quarterly forecasting
• Budget preparation, implementation, and maintenance
• Participate in audits and internal reviews
• Support Debtors Team and Team Leader
• Attend Debtors review and highlight risk areas
• Deemed VAT review to maintain reduced liability
• Full function accounting to TB
• Ground Handling: revenue and cost of sales processing, credit card expense management, fuel usage management
• Load credit card statements, review and authorise expenses, raise provisions

Key Responsibilities

• Review and authorise supplier reconciliations and payments (local & foreign)
• Maintain accurate ledgers and ensure full compliance
• Resolve complex queries and act as an escalation point
• Ensure all month-end deadlines are met
• Identify and implement process improvements
• Monitor and manage high‑risk agents
• Full responsibility for Tourplan transaction flows, accounting, reporting, and internal controls
• Ensure adherence to full month‑end processes

Key Competencies

• Strong negotiation and problem‑solving skills
• Analytical mindset with the ability to identify trends
• Exceptional accuracy and attention to detail
• Resilience under pressure and tight deadlines

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Relevant Accounting Qualification, Diploma, or Degree
• 3–5 years’ experience in a similar role
• Strong analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills
• High proficiency in MS Office (especially Excel)
• Tourplan experience essential

Why You’ll Love This Role

You’ll join a high-performance tourism finance environment where your expertise is valued, your growth is supported, and your work directly contributes to extraordinary travel experiences. This is a place for someone who wants to build a long-term career, not just fill a position.