Senior Bookkeeper

Sagen Advisory; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 223,000 - 335,000; Full time

Job summary

Sagen Advisory seeks a mature Senior Bookkeeper for a Brackenfell Industrial, Cape Town manufacturing group. You will own end-to-end bookkeeping and payroll, collaborating with the Financial Director to ensure accurate monthly cycles using Sage Pastel Payroll.

The role covers invoicing, debtors/creditors, VAT201/EMP201, bank reconciliations, and inventory/job-costing within a fast-paced, values-driven environment.

Qualifications

• 5-10 years of hands-on bookkeeping up to Trial Balance.
• Extensive experience with Sage Pastel Payroll.
• Experience with supplier liaisons, creditor reconciliations, and invoicing.
• Bilingual in English and Afrikaans (written and verbal).
• Manufacturing/joinery/industrial environment experience advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Perform full-function bookkeeping up to Trial Balance in collaboration with the Financial Director.
• Manage monthly payroll processing using Sage Pastel Payroll.
• Reconcile daily and monthly bank transactions and cash book entries.
• Handle accounts payable/receivable and supplier payments.
• Run monthly reconciliations for debtors, creditors, bank accounts and balance sheet items.
• Communicate with suppliers on invoices and payment schedules.
• Prepare VAT201 and EMP201 returns.
• Maintain inventory/job-costing records.
• Support internal/external review processes.

Skills

Full-Function Bookkeeping

Bookkeeping to Trial Balance

Sage Pastel Payroll

Bank Reconciliations

Accounts Receivable & Invoicing

VAT201 Submissions

EMP201 Submissions

Cash Flow Management

Education

Formal qualification in Bookkeeping

ICB Certification

Financial Accounting

Tools

Sage Pastel Payroll

Job description

Job Title: Senior Bookkeeper

Recruitment Company: Sagen Advisory Recruitment Company

Location: Brackenfell Industrial, Cape Town

Work Arrangement: On-site (Full-Time)

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: R20,000 – R30,000 pm (CTC, depending on experience)

Company Description

Our client is a well-established, highly regarded, and close-knit, family-rooted manufacturing enterprise specializing in high-end luxury kitchen design, joinery, and custom installations. Operating from Brackenfell Industrial for over three decades, they maintain a close-knit, fast-paced, and values-driven operational environment focused on high standards, integrity, professional conduct, and quality craftsmanship.

Clear Job Summary

Our client is seeking a mature, experienced, detail-orientated, and self-motivated Senior Bookkeeper to take full ownership of their financial bookkeeping and payroll functions. Working directly alongside the Financial Director in a fast-paced environment, the successful candidate will manage end-to-end bookkeeping up to Trial Balance, creditor/supplier interactions, bank reconciliations, invoicing, and full monthly payroll administration on Sage Pastel Payroll.

Expanded Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform full-function bookkeeping duties up to Trial Balance in close collaboration with the Financial Director.

• Manage full monthly payroll processing, employee record updates, and payroll administration using Sage Pastel Payroll.

• Process and reconcile daily and monthly bank transactions, electronic transfers, and cash book entries accurately.

• Handle accounts payable and receivable, including issuing client invoices, managing debtor follow-ups, and processing supplier payments.

• Perform comprehensive monthly reconciliations for debtors, creditors, bank accounts, and balance sheet items.

• Communicate directly and professionally with key suppliers regarding invoices, payment schedules, and account statements.

• Ensure accurate and timeous preparation and submission of monthly statutory returns (VAT201, EMP201).

• Maintain accurate inventory/job-costing accounting entries aligned with manufacturing and installation schedules.

• Provide administrative and financial support during internal/external review processes.

Qualifications and Experience

• 5-10 years of hands-on, full-function bookkeeping experience up to Trial Balance in a fast-paced environment.

• Extensive, demonstrated experience operating Sage Pastel Payroll.

• Formal qualification in Bookkeeping, Financial Accounting, or ICB Certification is highly preferred.

• Strong practical experience in supplier liaisons, creditor reconciliations, and invoicing.

• Full bilingual proficiency in English and Afrikaans (written and verbal).

• Experience within manufacturing, joinery, retail, or industrial operational environments is advantageous.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Professional & Mature Mindset: Demonstrates emotional intelligence, reliability, and strong personal and professional standards.

• Exceptional Focus & Detail Orientation: Able to maintain high accuracy and focus in a busy, fast-paced setting.

• Proactive Communicator: Clear, direct, and open communication style when working with management, clients, and suppliers.

• Structured & Reliable: Highly organized with strong time-management skills to meet financial and payroll deadlines consistently.

KEY SKILLS LIST

Hard Skills:

• Full-Function Bookkeeping

• Bookkeeping to Trial Balance

• Sage Pastel Payroll

• Bank Reconciliations

• Supplier & Creditor Reconciliations

• Accounts Receivable & Invoicing

• VAT201 Submissions

• EMP201 Submissions

• Cash Flow & Electronic Bank Transfers

Soft Skills:

• High Attention to Detail

• Mature Work Ethic

• Clear & Open Communication

• Professional Conduct & Integrity

• Problem-Solving Mindset

• Time Management & Prioritization

Job-Related Skills:

• Fast-Paced Financial Processing

• Supplier Account Management

• Payroll Administration & Tax Filing

• Financial Director Liaison

• Manufacturing/Joinery Industry Alignment