Immediate Start: Accountant

An exciting opportunity exists for a Accountant to join a well-established company in Kroonstad, Free State. The position requires managing the trial balance, overseeing the fixed asset register, processing journals, and ensuring timely submission of regulatory returns. The company offers study support for candidates pursuing further accounting qualifications.

Responsibilities

Financial Reporting & Management Accounts

• 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.
• 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.

Internal Controls & Process Improvement

• Conduct regular reviews of accounts payable and receivable processes to identify control weaknesses, reduce processing errors, and implement improvements that enhance operational efficiency while reducing fraud risk and financial losses.
• 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.

Statutory Compliance & Tax

• 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.
• 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.

Requirements

• Excellent time management and organisational skills to prioritise tasks effectively during peak reporting periods such as month-end.
• Strong numerical accuracy and attention to detail with ability to identify and correct discrepancies in large volumes of financial data.
• Proficiency in accounting software such as Sage, Pastel, or Xero, and advanced Microsoft Excel skills including pivot tables and VLOOKUPs.
• Thorough understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Practice and International Financial Reporting Standards in South Africa.
• A bachelor's degree or diploma in accounting, financial management, or a closely related field from a recognised institution.
• A minimum of two to three years of practical accounting experience with exposure to the full accounting cycle in a commercial environment.
• A proactive approach to problem-solving with the ability to investigate and resolve complex reconciling items independently.

Qualifications