Financial and Cost Accountant

Adams & Adams; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 500,000 - 750,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent legal firm is seeking a Financial and Cost Accountant to join their finance team in Pretoria. The role demands oversight of core accounting functions, financial planning, and regulatory compliance, while ensuring the integrity of financial data. The ideal applicant will be detail-oriented and possess strong analytical skills, making significant contributions to monthly management accounts, audit preparation, and budget monitoring.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of financial systems, cost accounting principles.
• Experience in a legal or professional services environment is ideal.
• Ability to manage complex financial data and produce reports.

Responsibilities

• Oversee financial systems processes related to billing and revenue recognition.
• Prepare audit files and supporting documentation for external auditors.
• Assist in the development and consolidation of the annual budget.

Skills

Analytical capability

Attention to detail

Financial systems understanding

Cost accounting principles

Job description

The Financial and Cost Accountant is a key member of the finance team, responsible for ensuring the

accuracy, integrity, and strategic value of financial data within the firm. Operating at a middle

management level, the incumbent will oversee core accounting functions, contribute to financial

planning and analysis, and ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.

This role requires a strong understanding of financial systems, cost accounting principles, and the

operational dynamics of a legal or professional services environment. The ideal candidate will

demonstrate high levels of analytical capability, attention to detail, and the ability to manage complex

Duties and responsibilities

• Oversee the financial system processes related to billing and revenue recognition, ensuring timely and accurate closure of billing cycles.
• Maintain and update financial structures such as cost centres and profit centres to support effective reporting and analysis.
• Manage the chart of accounts to ensure it remains consistent, accurate, and aligned with organizational reporting requirements and financial controls.
• Monitor system to ensure all transactions are posted daily.
• Prepare complete sets of monthly management accounts with supporting schedules.
• Compile and maintain month-end reconciliation files.
• Prepare the monthly fees report, ensuring accurate billing and promptly identifying any variances or discrepancies.
• Produce ad hoc financial and operational reports to support decision-making.
• Review allocation of monthly actuals versus budget into support service templates and prepare variance analyses.
• Review and analyse management accounts for subsidiary entities.

Audit and Year-End Reporting

• Prepare audit files and supporting documentation for external auditors.
• Coordinate the collection and submission of audit-related information across departments.
• Assist in the preparation and review of annual financial statements in accordance with applicable standards.

Regulatory Compliance

• Prepare and submit monthly VAT returns and respond to related audits.
• Complete and submit STATSSA reports as required.
• Generate and present BBBEE management reports.

Budgeting and Financial Planning

• Assist in the development and consolidation of the annual budget.
• Monitor and update income statement budget rollouts.
• Conduct weekly petty cash counts and approve reconciliations.

Operational and Ad Hoc Duties

• Act as Commissioner of Oaths for internal documentation.
• Assist with screening and onboarding of new AP vendors; maintain and update vendor records.
• Submit SARS e-filing for transfer duty payments.