Senior Financial Accountant

Red Ember Recruitment; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency is seeking a Senior Financial Accountant to lead within the Finance team, supporting group companies in the UK and South Africa. The role includes managing outsourced payroll, maintaining financial records, processing transactions, and assisting with audits. Candidates must be Professional Accountants with at least 3 years' experience in finance and strong skills in bookkeeping and accounting. This position is based in South Africa and offers opportunities to develop accounting policies.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years post-articles experience as a Professional Accountant.
• Proven experience managing an outsourced payroll function.
• Strong background in bookkeeping and accounting.
• Experience working in a small Finance team.

Responsibilities

• Manage and review the full outsourced payroll function.
• Maintain books and records for month-end procedures.
• Transactional processing, including bank transactions.
• Supplier invoice processing and payments.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Attention to detail

Education

Professional Accountant qualification

Tools

Accounting Systems

MS Excel

Job description

Job Description

Our client is seeking a Senior Financial Accountant to take a lead role within their Finance team, supporting group companies across the UK and South Africa. Open to candidates based in Stellenbosch or Rosebank.

Key Responsibilities

The Senior Financial Accountant will take ownership of:

• Managing and reviewing the full outsourced payroll function for UK and SA entities, including direct execution oversight, coordination with external service providers, and acting as the main liaison between employees and Finance.
• Maintaining books and records for month‑end procedures, including prepayment journals, balance sheet journals, and reconciliations.
• Transactional processing, including bank transactions, credit cards, and employee expense claims.
• Supplier and expenditure invoice processing, payments, and supplier liaison.
• Debtor invoicing and collections.

The role will also assist with:

• Development and documentation of group accounting policies under UK FRS102 and IFRS for SMEs (SA).
• The annual audit process in both the UK and South Africa, including responding to Client Assistance Package (CAP) requests.
• Group taxation and corporate insurance renewals.
• Monthly VAT reconciliations and submissions.
• Long‑term planning and financial modelling.
• Corporate governance (ESG) initiatives, internal controls, and financial policies and procedures.

Requirements

• Professional Accountant with a minimum of 3 years post‑articles experience.
• Proven experience managing an outsourced payroll function.
• Strong background in bookkeeping, accounting, debtors, and creditors.
• Experience working in a structured, small Finance team.
• Working knowledge of South African legislation and compliance requirements.
• Solid technical knowledge of GAAP, IFRS, IFRS for SMEs, SA taxation, forecasting, budgeting, and financial analysis.
• Advanced proficiency in Accounting Systems and MS Excel.

Advantageous Experience

• SAIPA certification.
• Oracle NetSuite experience.
• Exposure to international operations.
• Knowledge of UK company legislation and compliance.
• Familiarity with UK FRS102 accounting practices and UK taxation.

Key Skills and Attributes

• Highly analytical and detail‑oriented.
• Meticulous, accountable, and well‑organised.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Professional, ethical, and dependable.
• Strong problem‑solving and decision‑making ability.
• Comfortable working independently with minimal supervision.