Senior Financial Accountant

Network Recruitment; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 720,000 - 960,000; Full time

Job summary

Network Recruitment in Cape Town's Airport Industria is seeking a Senior Accountant to lead key accounting and reporting functions, reporting to the Finance Manager and mentoring junior staff.

The role covers financial accounting, month-end close, reconciliations, VAT and SARS compliance, audits, and governance, with close collaboration with the finance team to ensure accurate, timely financial statements.

Qualifications

• BCom Accounting or an equivalent qualification.
• Minimum 5 years' relevant accounting experience.
• Previous experience as a Senior Accountant or in a similar position.
• Strong experience with month-end and year-end accounting processes.
• Proven experience preparing management accounts and financial reports.
• Strong knowledge of reconciliations, journals, general ledger and financial analysis.
• Practical experience with VAT and SARS requirements.
• Exposure to internal or external audits would be advantageous.
• Pastel experience would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Financial Accounting & Reporting: maintain general ledger, journals, accruals, provisions and prepayments; prepare depreciation, amortisation schedules and monthly financial reports.
• Management Reporting & Analysis: compile monthly reports, analyse variances, provide insights and assist budgeting and forecasting.
• Accounts Payable & Receivable Oversight: oversee AP/AR activities, supplier reconciliations and collections; monitor cash flow.
• Tax & Statutory Compliance: assist VAT submissions and SARS compliance; liaise with auditors.
• Audit & Year-End: coordinate audits and prepare financial statements; respond to audit queries.
• Internal Controls & Governance: strengthen controls; ensure policy compliance and accurate processes.
• Team Support: mentor junior staff and ensure timely delivery of reporting deadlines.

Skills

Attention to detail

Financial analysis

Team collaboration

Pastel experience

Education

BCom Accounting or equivalent

Tools

Pastel

Excel

Job description

An established organisation is seeking a Senior Accountant to join its finance team and take responsibility for key accounting and reporting functions.

This role is ideal for an experienced accounting professional who is confident working across financial accounting, month-end reporting, reconciliations, statutory compliance, management accounts and audit processes.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Finance Manager while providing guidance and support to junior members of the finance team.

This role is based in Airport Industria, Cape Town

Key Responsibilities:

• Financial Accounting & Reporting
  Maintain accurate accounting records and oversee the general ledger. Prepare and process journals, accruals, provisions and prepayments. Prepare accounting schedules for depreciation, wear and tear, amortisation and related items. Prepare and review monthly management accounts and financial reports. Perform monthly balance sheet reconciliations and investigate discrepancies. Review trial balances to ensure financial information is complete and accurate. Support month-end and year-end financial close processes. Prepare and analyse income statements, balance sheets and cash flow information. Ensure transactions are accurately allocated to the correct accounts and cost centres.
• Management Reporting & Analysis
  Compile monthly management reports and supporting financial analysis. Analyse financial results and investigate variances against budgets and forecasts. Provide management with relevant financial insights and recommendations. Monitor key financial performance indicators. Assist with budgeting, forecasting and financial planning activities. Provide financial information and analysis for ad-hoc business requirements.
• Accounts Payable & Receivable Oversight
  Oversee key accounts payable and accounts receivable activities. Review supplier reconciliations and ensure outstanding queries are resolved. Monitor customer accounts, outstanding balances and collections. Ensure supplier invoices, payments and customer receipts are processed accurately. Assist with cash flow monitoring and forecasting.
• Tax & Statutory Compliance
  Assist with the preparation and submission of VAT returns and other statutory submissions. Ensure compliance with SARS requirements and applicable accounting legislation. Prepare supporting schedules and documentation for tax submissions and audits. Liaise with SARS, external auditors and other relevant stakeholders when required.
• Audit & Year-End
  Coordinate and support internal and external audit processes. Prepare audit schedules, working papers and supporting documentation. Investigate and respond to audit queries. Assist with the preparation of annual financial statements. Ensure accounting records and supporting documentation are accurate, complete and audit-ready.
• Internal Controls & Governance
  Maintain and strengthen accounting controls and financial procedures. Identify potential control weaknesses and recommend appropriate improvements. Ensure adherence to company policies, accounting standards and internal procedures. Monitor finance processes to ensure accuracy, completeness and compliance.
• Team Support
  Provide guidance and support to junior finance team members. Review accounting work where required to ensure quality and accuracy. Assist with the training and development of finance staff. Support the team in meeting reporting deadlines and key finance deliverables.

Job Experience and Skills Required:

• BCom Accounting, BCom Financial Accounting or an equivalent accounting qualification.
• Minimum 5 years' relevant accounting experience.
• Previous experience as a Senior Accountant, Accountant or in a similar position.
• Strong experience with month-end and year-end accounting processes.
• Proven experience preparing management accounts and financial reports.
• Strong knowledge of reconciliations, journals, general ledger and financial analysis.
• Practical experience with VAT and SARS requirements.
• Exposure to internal or external audits would be advantageous.
• Pastel experience would be advantageous.