Junior Accountant

Remote Choice; Remote; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A financial services company based in South Africa is seeking an Accounting Specialist. The ideal candidate will manage client portfolios, ensuring accurate bookkeeping and preparing VAT returns. Strong knowledge of Xero and Dext is crucial, as well as the ability to work independently and proactively communicate with clients. This role offers the opportunity to grow into a more senior position over time, with an emphasis on quality and ownership of work.

Qualifications

• Proven experience with accurate accounting and bookkeeping.
• Strong understanding of VAT and financial statements.
• Ability to think critically and solve problems independently.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of allocated clients and ensure accurate processing.
• Conduct monthly profit & loss reviews and investigate variances.
• Prepare VAT returns and communicate with clients effectively.

Skills

Attention to detail

Knowledge of Xero

Knowledge of Dext

Proactive communication

Ability to work independently

Job description

Role Purpose

You are responsible for accurate day-to-day processing and maintaining clean accounting records for a portfolio of clients. You work within defined workflows but are expected to think for yourself, spot issues early, and take ownership of your work, rather than waiting to be told what to do.

Key Responsibilities

Processing & Bookkeeping

• Manage a portfolio of allocated clients.
• Process transactions accurately from Dext to Xero.
• Ensure no uncoded transactions.
• Ensure no duplicate entries.
• Review aged receivables and payables weekly.
• Prepare one consolidated client query covering missing documentation and AR/AP queries.
• Keep Karbon updated in real time.

Monthly Reviews

• Perform monthly profit & loss reviews (current vs prior month).
• Conduct balance sheet reasonableness checks.
• Investigate variances independently.
• Correct errors where possible.
• Proactively request missing information from clients.
• Post monthly journals: salary journals and standard recurring journals.

Fixed Assets & Controls

• Maintain the fixed asset register.
• Add new assets.
• Run depreciation.
• Perform fixed asset reconciliations.
• Escalate inconsistencies early.

VAT

• Prepare VAT returns for allocated clients in line with firm timelines.
• Communicate provisional VAT positions to clients.
• Submit VAT once reviewed and approved.
• Send VAT payment reminders.
• Ensure all VAT stages are accurately tracked in Karbon.

Annual Accounts Support

• Ensure Xero is fully reconciled at year-end.
• Prepare working papers.
• Action review notes efficiently.
• Support year-end information requests.

What ‘Good’ Looks Like In This Role

• Work is review-ready, not half-done.
• Issues are flagged early — not at deadline.
• You follow the workflow but think ahead, anticipate missing information, and take initiative where something doesn’t make sense.
• Karbon always reflects reality.

Skills, Traits & Expectations

• Strong attention to detail.
• Solid Xero and Dext knowledge.
• Ability to follow processes consistently.
• Self-starter who can work independently.
• Proactive communicator with clients and team.
• Comfortable flagging issues early and asking questions.
• Understands that accuracy comes before speed.

Role Fit Summary

This role suits someone who likes structure and autonomy, cares about quality, takes ownership of outcomes, and wants to grow into a more senior role over time.