Senior Accountant

Red Ember Recruitment is seeking on behalf of our client an experienced Senior Accountant to join their finance team based in Plattekloof. The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting while supporting the Financial Manager with reconciliations, tax and audit requirements, stock and cash controls, budgeting, analysis and finance process improvements.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Reporting & Month-End Close Prepare accurate monthly management accounts, income statements and balance sheet schedules. Process journals, accruals and provisions within month-end deadlines. Review general ledger transactions for completeness, accuracy and correct classification. Maintain supporting working papers for key financial reporting balances.

Support the preparation of annual financial statements and related schedules. Reconciliations & Balance Sheet Control Prepare and review monthly balance sheet reconciliations, including creditors, stock, cash-book and VAT control accounts. Investigate reconciling items and resolve exceptions. Escalate long-outstanding reconciling items where required.

Ensure reconciliations are fully supported by appropriate documentation. Monitor the accuracy and integrity of financial transactions and account allocations. Maintain audit-ready files and supporting evidence. Tax, Statutory & Audit Prepare VAT reconciliations, submissions and payment packs for review. Assist with income tax, provisional tax and deferred tax calculations and schedules.

Support SARS, external audit and statutory audit requirements. Ensure tax and statutory records are complete, accurate and submitted on time. Track audit queries through to resolution. Stock, Inventory & Cost Controls Process and reconcile stock-related transactions accurately and timeously. Support stock take procedures and analyse weekly, monthly and annual stock results.

Investigate stock variances and provide clear explanations. Maintain controls over inventory accounting, cost allocations and related journals. Assist operational teams with stock reporting requirements. Budgeting, Forecasting & Analysis Assist with annual budget preparation and periodic forecast updates. Prepare cost and revenue analysis to support management decisions.

Import approved budgets into the accounting system and validate accuracy. Prepare cash flow inputs and other management schedules. Highlight material variances, risks and opportunities to the Financial Manager. Systems, Compliance & Process Improvement Process financial transactions accurately using Sage Evolution and related systems.

Identify opportunities to streamline, standardise and automate finance processes. Maintain compliance with company policies, internal controls and finance deadlines. Support continuous improvement of reporting templates, reconciliations and procedures. Safeguard the quality, integrity and confidentiality of financial information.

Stakeholder Support Provide reliable financial information to the Financial Manager and senior stakeholders. Liaise with operations, creditors, payroll and other internal teams to resolve queries. Assist with internal, external and statutory information requests. Share knowledge and support junior or operational team members where required.

Requirements

BCom degree with completed articles. Minimum 5 years' post-article experience. Professional certification such as CA, AGA, SAIPA, CIMA, ACCA or equivalent preferred. 5–8+ years' experience in treasury, revenue reconciliation, cash management or corporate finance. Experience in QSR, retail, FMCG or multi-unit franchise environments will be highly advantageous.

Strong understanding of high-volume cash transactions and POS/merchant settlement processes. Advanced Excel skills – non-negotiable. High computer literacy. Strong reconciliation skills and financial technical knowledge. Sage Evolution experience will be advantageous. Retail experience will be advantageous. Payroll knowledge will be advantageous.

Excellent English communication skills. Competencies Strong attention to detail and accuracy. Excellent organisational and time-management skills. Ability to handle high volumes, pressure and strict deadlines. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Strong communication and interpersonal skills. Results-driven approach.

Self-starter with the ability to work independently. Adaptable, energetic and confident. Strong stakeholder management skills.