Junior Bookkeeper

WatersEdge Solutions; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 156,000 - 234,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Ongoing mentorship and development

Flexible remote working arrangement

Job summary

WatersEdge Solutions is recruiting a proactive Junior Bookkeeper to manage monthly bookkeeping for a portfolio of SME clients in a modern cloud-based accounting practice. You will handle transactions, VAT submissions, payroll, and SARS-related tasks, working under guidance from senior team members.

This is not purely transactional; you’ll review financial data, identify discrepancies, and communicate with clients and colleagues to ensure accuracy and deadlines are met.

Qualifications

• Completed or partially completed tertiary qualification in Accounting, Bookkeeping, Finance, or related field (BCom, National Diploma, ICB, or equivalent).
• 1-2 years of practical bookkeeping or accounting experience.
• Experience in an accounting practice environment preferred.
• Working knowledge of Xero accounting software and SA VAT compliance.

Responsibilities

• Process and reconcile client financial transactions accurately and timeously.
• Maintain bookkeeping records for a portfolio of SME clients.
• Prepare and submit VAT201 returns and EMP201 returns.
• Process payroll and maintain payroll records.
• Assist with SARS eFiling administration and correspondence.
• Perform bank, debtor, creditor, and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Support month-end bookkeeping and reporting processes.
• Liaise with clients regarding queries and deadlines.

Skills

Xero

SARS eFiling

Afrikaans

English

Education

BCom / National Diploma / ICB or equivalent

Tools

Hubdoc

Job description

Location: Pretoria (Remote initially, with future transition to office-based work)

Employment Type: Full-Time

Industry: Accounting Practice | Professional Services | SME Accounting

WatersEdge Solutions is partnering with a growing accounting practice to recruit a proactive and detail-oriented Junior Bookkeeper. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with foundational bookkeeping experience who wants to develop their accounting skills within a modern, cloud-based practice supporting a diverse portfolio of SME clients.

The successful candidate will take ownership of monthly bookkeeping responsibilities for a portfolio of clients while working closely with senior accounting professionals who will provide guidance, review, and mentorship.

About the Role

As Junior Bookkeeper, you will be responsible for managing the monthly bookkeeping cycle for a portfolio of SME clients. This includes transaction processing, VAT submissions, payroll administration, SARS-related tasks, and maintaining accurate financial records.

This is not a purely transactional role. The ideal candidate will understand the financial information they are processing, identify discrepancies proactively, and communicate effectively with both clients and senior team members.

Key Responsibilities

• Process and reconcile client financial transactions accurately and timeously
• Maintain bookkeeping records for a portfolio of SME clients
• Prepare and submit VAT201 returns
• Prepare and submit EMP201 returns
• Process payroll and maintain payroll records
• Assist with SARS eFiling administration and correspondence
• Perform bank, debtor, creditor, and balance sheet reconciliations
• Support month-end bookkeeping and reporting processes
• Liaise with clients regarding bookkeeping queries and outstanding information
• Escalate discrepancies, risks, or unusual transactions to senior team members
• Ensure client deadlines and compliance obligations are met consistently

What You’ll Bring

• Completed or partially completed tertiary qualification in Accounting, Bookkeeping, Finance, or a related field (BCom, National Diploma, ICB, or equivalent)
• 1-2 years of practical bookkeeping or accounting experience
• Experience working within an accounting practice environment preferred
• Working knowledge of Xero accounting software
• Solid understanding of VAT in a South African SME environment
• Experience using SARS eFiling
• Fluent in both Afrikaans and English (written and verbal)
• Strong technology aptitude and ability to learn new systems quickly
• Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and client requirements simultaneously
• Strong communication skills and a proactive mindset

Nice to Have

• Experience using SimplePay
• Familiarity with Hubdoc or similar document management tools
• Previous experience managing multiple client portfolios
• Exposure to cloud-based accounting environments
• Experience supporting SME clients

What’s On Offer

• Opportunity to work within a modern cloud-based accounting practice
• Exposure to a diverse portfolio of SME clients
• Ongoing mentorship and development from experienced accounting professionals
• Opportunity to grow your accounting and bookkeeping career within a supportive environment
• Flexible remote working arrangement initially, with future office-based collaboration opportunities

Company Culture

This is a modern, technology-driven accounting practice that values accountability, continuous learning, and client service excellence. The team believes in empowering individuals to take ownership of their work, communicate proactively, and continuously improve processes through technology and innovation. This environment is best suited to someone who enjoys learning, thrives on responsibility, and takes pride in delivering quality work.

Please Note: If you have not been contacted within 10 working, consider your application unsuccessful.