Head of Accounting (Part-time)

Somewhere; Gauteng; Remote; ZAR 402,000 - 536,000; Part time

Job summary

Somewhere is seeking a Senior Accountant / Financial Controller on a part-time, remote basis. The right candidate will bring CPA or Chartered Accountant credentials and extensive US GAAP experience to oversee financial reporting, month-end close, and controls for a high-impact contract role.

The position is independent contractor, about 20 hours weekly, with a flexible overlapping schedule to accommodate US business hours from a remote location in South Africa.

Qualifications

• Active CPA or Chartered Accountant credential.
• 5–7+ years hands-on US GAAP general accounting and financial reporting experience.
• Senior Accountant, Accounting Manager, or Assistant Controller level experience.
• Independent contractor with reliable remote-work track record.
• Ability to work ~20 hours/week during US business hours.

Responsibilities

• Lead month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes.
• Prepare financial statements (BS, IS, CF) per US GAAP.
• Produce management reporting packs and variance analyses.
• Conduct cash flow forecasting and liquidity monitoring.
• Manage GL, journal entries, reconciliations, and trial balances.
• Oversee AR/AP workflows and multi-currency reconciliations.
• Interface with auditors and tax advisors for year-end compliance.

Skills

US GAAP proficiency

Financial analysis

English communication

Education

CPA

Chartered Accountant (CA/ACCA)

Tools

QuickBooks Online

NetSuite

Xero

Excel/Google Sheets

Job description

Senior Accountant / Financial Controller (Part-Time, Remote)

• Employment Type: Independent Contractor / Freelance
• Hours: Part-time (Approx. 20 hours per week)
• Schedule: US Business Hours (Flexible overlapping schedule required)
• Location: Remote

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled CPA or Chartered Accountant with extensive expertise in US GAAP to oversee core financial, general bookkeeping, and controller-level functions. In this role, you will lead financial statement preparation, month-end/year-end close processes, and deliver high-level financial reporting. This is a hands-on, high-impact contractor role suited for an experienced accounting professional who thrives in a flexible, remote environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Controller & Financial Leadership
• Lead the end-to-end month-end, quarter-end, and year-end financial closing processes.
• Perform high-level financial review and analysis to ensure absolute accuracy and compliance with US GAAP.
• Establish, document, and maintain robust internal financial controls and standard operating procedures.
• Interface with external auditors, tax advisors, and leadership for year-end audit/tax compliance.
• Financial Statement Preparation & Reporting
• Prepare comprehensive financial statements (Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Statement of Cash Flows) in accordance with US GAAP.
• Prepare management reporting packs, financial variance analyses, and operational performance metrics.
• Conduct cash flow forecasting, liquidity monitoring, and budget-vs-actual variance tracking.
• General Bookkeeping & Accounting Operations
• Manage general ledger accounting, journal entries, balance sheet reconciliations, and trial balance reviews.
• Oversee revenue recognition, accounts receivable (AR), and accounts payable (AP) workflows.
• Manage multi-currency reconciliations and foreign exchange adjustments (if applicable).
• Ensure proper expense categorizations, accruals, prepayments, and fixed asset accounting.

Key Qualifications & Requirements

• Certification: Active CPA (Certified Public Accountant) or Chartered Accountant (CA/ACCA) credential is required.
• US GAAP Mastery: Minimum 5-7+ years of hands-on experience in US GAAP general accounting and financial reporting.
• Seniority: Proven experience operating at a Senior Accountant, Accounting Manager, or Assistant Controller level.
• Systems & Software: Advanced proficiency with modern cloud accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks Online, NetSuite, Xero) and advanced Excel/Google Sheets capabilities.
• Hours & Availability: Ability to work ~20 hours per week during US business hours (EST/CST/PST overlap).
• Work Arrangement: Operating as an independent contractor with a proven track record of reliable remote work.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience working with financial services, SaaS, or fintech platforms.
• Familiarity with integrated billing, payment processing platforms (e.g., Stripe), and automated reconciliation tools.
• Strong written and verbal English communication skills.