Head of Offshore Operations

Sumer; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 800,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading international accounting practice seeks an Offshore Operations Manager to oversee strategic development and operations in South Africa. This key role involves managing a team delivering accounting and financial services to international clients, focusing on quality, efficiency, and team culture. The successful candidate will be a qualified CA(SA) with extensive experience, leading change and maintaining compliance standards in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary with performance-linked incentives

Opportunities for career progression in a global firm

Flexible working arrangements (hybrid)

Supportive, innovative, and values-driven team culture

Access to international training

Qualifications

• 10+ years of accounting experience, including 3+ years in a senior leadership role.
• Prior experience managing offshore or distributed teams in a professional services environment.
• Strong understanding of IFRS and compliance standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the South African team delivering audit, accounting, tax, payroll, and financial reporting services.
• Ensure adherence to international accounting standards and firm policies.
• Drive continuous improvement in processes and operational alignment.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organizational skills

Education

Qualified Chartered Accountant (CA(SA))

ACCA, SAIPA, CIMA, AGA (SA)

Tools

Cloud-based accounting software

Job description

We are a progressive international accounting practice serving SMEs across UK with a growing offshore team in South Africa. We are dedicated to being the champions of your business. Delivering a range of accounting, tax, audit, advisory and business services across the UK, Ireland and South Africa.

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Offshore Operations Manager to lead our South African offshore operations. This senior role will oversee the strategic development, operational efficiency, and quality of service delivered by our South Africa-based accounting professionals. The successful candidate will serve as a bridge between our local team and international offices, ensuring seamless service delivery, strong team culture, and alignment with the firm's strategic objectives.

Department Operations Employment Type Permanent Location Johannesburg Workplace type Onsite Reporting To

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the South African team delivering audit, accounting, tax, payroll, and financial reporting services to international clients.
• Build and maintain a high-performance culture through effective leadership, mentorship, and professional development.
• Ensure consistent adherence to international accounting standards, firm policies, and client expectations.
• Develop and refine workflows to improve efficiency, quality, and scalability of offshore operations.
• Collaborate with leadership in South Africa and the United Kingdom to develop offshore capacity planning, growth strategy, and innovation initiatives.
• Oversee retention of top-tier accounting professionals in South Africa.
• Establish and monitor performance KPIs, ensuring service delivery is timely, accurate, and client-focused.
• Act as a key point of contact for onshore line managers regarding offshore resource management and delivery quality.
• Drive continuous improvement in processes, technology use, and operational alignment.
  
  

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Qualified Chartered Accountant (CA(SA)) or equivalent (e.g., ACCA, SAIPA, CIMA, AGA (SA)).
• 10+ years of accounting experience, including 3+ years in a senior leadership role.
• Prior experience managing offshore or distributed teams, preferably in a professional services environment.
• Strong understanding of IFRS and compliance standards.
• Proven ability to lead change, manage risk, and deliver growth in a cross-border context.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and organisational skills.
  
  

Desirable Attributes

• Exposure to UK compliance requirements an advantage.
• Proficiency in cloud-based accounting software (Xero, QuickBooks Online, CaseWare, etc.).
• Experience working in BPO or shared services environments.
  
  

Benefits

• Competitive salary with performance-linked incentives
• Opportunities for career progression in a global firm
• Flexible working arrangements (hybrid)
• Supportive, innovative, and values-driven team culture
• Access to international training
  
  

About Sumer Offshore Services

We are dedicated to being the champions for SME businesses. Working together with our colleagues in the UK we are able to remotely deliver a range of accounting, tax, audit, advisory and business services to clients across the UK and Ireland.

Whether its to free up time so that businesses can focus on the things that matter, help grow the business, or work through the trickiest of problems, we are here to help you succeed.

Apply Now