Senior Data Engineer

An excellent Senior Data Engineer opportunity has become available at a well-regarded financial services business in Stellenbosch, Western Cape. This vacancy suits a dependable individual who values quality and consistency.

Respect, reliability, and a positive attitude define the workplace. You will enjoy modern facilities and the equipment needed to do the job well. If that sounds like you, we would be glad to receive your application.

Responsibilities

Statutory Compliance & Tax

• Assist with the preparation of provisional tax computations biannually and the annual income tax return, liaising with external tax practitioners to ensure full compliance with the Income Tax Act and minimising risk of penalties.
• Coordinate year-end audits by preparing comprehensive audit files, compiling working papers, responding to auditor queries promptly and accurately, and facilitating timely sign-off of annual financial statements with an unqualified audit opinion.
• Prepare and submit accurate VAT returns via SARS eFiling within prescribed deadlines, reconciling the VAT control account to the general ledger and maintaining supporting documentation for audit verification and tax authority inspections.

Financial Reporting & Management Accounts

• Perform full balance sheet reconciliations covering bank accounts, debtors, creditors, prepayments, accruals, and intercompany loan accounts on a monthly basis to ensure completeness and accuracy of the general ledger.
• Prepare monthly management accounts including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements with detailed variance analysis against budget and prior periods for senior management review and strategic decision-making.
• Manage the fixed asset register by recording acquisitions, disposals, and transfer journals, and calculating monthly depreciation in accordance with IFRS and the company's approved accounting policies and capitalisation thresholds.
• Analyse operational expenditure against approved departmental budgets, investigate significant deviations with cost centre managers, and present findings with corrective recommendations to the finance manager for review.

Internal Controls & Process Improvement

• Participate in system upgrade and implementation projects by testing financial modules, validating data migration accuracy, and providing user acceptance feedback to the project team to ensure a smooth transition to new systems.
• Automate recurring journal entries, reconciliation templates, and management report generation using advanced Excel functionality and accounting system capabilities to streamline month-end close processes and reduce manual effort.

Requirements

• A minimum of two to three years of practical accounting experience with exposure to the full accounting cycle in a commercial environment.
• Proficiency in accounting software such as Sage, Pastel, or Xero, and advanced Microsoft Excel skills including pivot tables and VLOOKUPs.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to liaise effectively with clients, suppliers, auditors, and colleagues at all levels.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills to prioritise tasks effectively during peak reporting periods such as month-end.
• A bachelor's degree or diploma in accounting, financial management, or a closely related field from a recognised institution.
• Demonstrated experience in preparing and submitting VAT returns via eFiling and maintaining knowledge of tax legislation changes.

Qualifications