Group Accountant

The Career Network Sa; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A financial services firm in Cape Town seeks a Group Accountant to manage the month-end close process for international entities. The ideal candidate will have IFRS experience, strong technical accounting skills, and the ability to coach junior accountants. Responsibilities include preparing financial statements, conducting bank reconciliations, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations.

Qualifications

• Qualified Accountant required (SAIPA or CIMA).
• Proven IFRS experience essential.
• Experience in financial services is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee month-end close process for international entities.
• Prepare financial statements and reports under IFRS.
• Manage junior group accountants and provide coaching.

Skills

Technical accounting expertise

Managing junior accountants

Accounting systems knowledge

Advanced Excel skills

Preparing financial statements

Attention to detail

Analytical mindset

Interpersonal skills

Collaborative approach

Education

Qualified Accountant (SAIPA or CIMA)

Tools

Microsoft Business Central

Caseware

Job description

Group Accountant

Location: Cape Town
Reporting to: Financial Accounting Manager

We are looking for a Group Accountant to oversee the complete month-end close process for several international entities across the Group. The role involves preparing financial records under IFRS, compiling financial statements, submitting tax filings, and providing accurate financial information to stakeholders to support budgeting and investment decisions.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform weekly and monthly bank reconciliations for designated Group entities to ensure accurate cash records.
• Collaborate with the billing team to ensure completion of billing, WIP accruals, bad debt provisions, and income split journals.
• Liaise with the accounts payable team to ensure expenses, prepayments, and fixed asset additions are correctly recorded each month.
• Verify departmental expense allocations against budget.
• Prepare monthly accrual and provision journals, as well as payroll journals for assigned entities.
• Complete IFRS 16 lease accounting entries for relevant entities.
• Prepare monthly profit and loss and balance sheet reports, with supporting reconciliations for all accounts.
• Ensure intercompany balances are reconciled and settled promptly.
• Maintain compliance with all applicable financial and accounting regulations.
• Complete VAT and tax returns for relevant jurisdictions within required deadlines.
• Support the preparation of regulatory returns and assist with monthly regulatory capital updates.
• Contribute to the calculation of local and Group service level agreements.
• Prepare weekly and monthly cash flow forecasts.
• Produce board reporting packs with financial analysis and commentary.
• Prepare annual statutory financial statements and liaise with auditors.
• Respond to ad hoc financial queries by gathering, analyzing, and interpreting data.
• Manage two junior group accountants, providing on-the-job coaching and support.

Qualifications and Experience

• Qualified Accountant (SAIPA or CIMA).
• Proven IFRS experience.
• Exposure to multi-jurisdictional tax environments advantageous.
• Experience in financial services preferred.
• Familiarity with regulatory reporting requirements.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong technical accounting expertise.
• Experience coaching or managing junior accountants.
• Knowledge of accounting systems (Microsoft Business Central advantageous).
• Advanced Excel skills; knowledge of macros, Power Pivot, and Power BI beneficial.
• Experience preparing financial statements using Caseware.
• Excellent attention to detail with a logical, organized approach.
• Proactive, analytical, and solutions-oriented mindset.
• Ability to perform under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build relationships and influence change.
• Team-oriented with a collaborative approach.