Junior Accountant

ZealHR; Theewaterskloof Local Municipality; On-site; ZAR 240,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

ZealHR is assisting an established FMCG/retail business in Grabouw recruit a Junior Accountant to join the finance team. You will handle key accounting, reconciliations and month-end activities, using Xero and Excel to deliver accurate management reports and analyse margins and EBITDA.

Required: relevant accounting qualification and at least 3 years accounting experience, strong Excel skills, and experience with month-end closing and reconciliations. Will suit detail-oriented self-starter.

Qualifications

• Relevant qualification in Accounting, Finance or related field.
• Minimum 3 years accounting experience.
• Proven Xero & Excel proficiency for management reporting.

Responsibilities

• Prepare monthly management reports including margins and EBITDA.
• Produce monthly P&L statements and Balance Sheets.
• Manage month-end closing processes and journal entries.
• Reconcile transactions and maintain accurate reconciliation schedules.
• Support financial controls and provide documentation.
• Assist with balance sheet reconciliations.

Skills

Analytical ability

Attention to detail

Organisation

Problem-solving

Independence

Communication

Education

Accounting/Finance qualification

Tools

Xero

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Junior Accountant

Our client is an established business operating within the FMCG and retail sector, providing a fast-paced and commercially focused environment. The organisation is looking to strengthen its finance team with an accounting professional who can deliver accurate financial information and contribute to effective financial control and reporting. An opportunity is available for a Junior Accountant based in Grabouw to take responsibility for key accounting, reconciliation and month-end activities. The successful candidate will have strong Xero and Excel capabilities, with practical experience producing management reports and analysing financial performance, including margins and EBITDA.

Responsibilities

Management Reporting & Financial Analysis

• Prepare monthly management reports, including margin and EBITDA reporting and analysis.
• Produce accurate monthly Profit & Loss statements and Balance Sheets.
• Prepare EBITDA bridge reports and analyse month-on-month movements and performance.
• Investigate financial variances and provide supporting information where required.
• Maintain accurate financial information to support management decision-making.
• Assist with additional financial analysis and reporting as required.

Month-End & Accounting

• Manage and execute month-end closing activities accurately and within required deadlines.
• Prepare and process journals, ensuring transactions are allocated to the correct departments and accounts.
• Review financial information for completeness and accuracy prior to month-end reporting.
• Maintain appropriate supporting documentation for accounting transactions.
• Assist with balance sheet reconciliations and resolve discrepancies.
• Support the wider finance function with general accounting activities as required.

Reconciliations & Financial Controls

• Perform regular cash reconciliations and investigate discrepancies.
• Reconcile Yoco transactions and associated merchant fees.
• Ensure reconciling items are investigated and resolved timeously.
• Maintain accurate reconciliation schedules and supporting documentation.
• Identify inconsistencies or unusual transactions and elevate where necessary.
• Contribute to maintaining effective financial controls and accurate accounting records.

Requirements

• Relevant qualification in Accounting, Finance or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years relevant accounting experience.
• Proven practical experience using Xero Accounting Software.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Experience preparing monthly management accounts and financial reports.
• Practical experience with month-end closing processes, journals and reconciliations.
• Ability to produce and interpret Profit & Loss statements and Balance Sheets.
• Experience analysing margins, EBITDA and month-on-month financial performance.
• Strong numerical, analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Beneficial Experience
• Previous experience within an FMCG, retail or similarly fast- paced commercial environment.
• Experience with departmental or cost-centre accounting.
• Exposure to cash-intensive retail environments and payment-platform reconciliations.
• Previous experience reconciling Yoco or similar merchant/payment platforms.

Key Competencies

• Analytical ability: Comfortable interpreting financial results, margins, EBITDA and performance movements.
• Attention to detail: Maintains a high level of accuracy across journals, reconciliations and financial reporting.
• Organisation: Effectively manages month-end deadlines and multiple accounting responsibilities.
• Problem-solving: Investigates discrepancies and financial variances thoroughly.
• Independence: Able to take ownership of responsibilities and work with limited supervision.
• Communication: Communicates clearly and professionally with colleagues and relevant stakeholders.

Requirements .