Accountant & Bookkeeper

SUMMARY:

Client-Facing Accountant & Bookkeeper (Growth & Advisory)

Before You Apply

• Enjoys learning how a client’s business truly works
• Can offer practical, tax-aware guidance
• Spots opportunities to help clients grow
• Is comfortable meeting with clients and prospects
• Likes building smart systems that make monthly work run smoothly

POSITION INFO:

About Latita Africa

• Accounting and tax compliance
• SARS disputes and tax debt management
• Corporate and commercial advisory
• Cross-border and regulatory structuring

Role Overview

1. Accountant / Bookkeeper

2. Advisor & Growth Partner

Key Responsibilities

1. Core Accounting & Bookkeeping

• Process transactions: banks, suppliers, customers, and payroll
• Maintain general ledger, debtors, and creditors
• Perform reconciliations:
  
  • Bank
  • Debtors
  • Creditors
  • VAT
  • Control accounts
• Prepare monthly management accounts and reports
• Support year-end processes:
  
  • Working papers
  • Audit packs
  • Draft financial statements

2. Client Understanding & Tax Awareness

• Understand client business models, cash flow, and tax positions
• Identify inefficiencies, risks, and opportunities
• Make practical recommendations on:
  
  • Cash flow management
  • Tax-efficient structuring (within scope)
  • Allowable deductions and reliefs
• Collaborate with tax and legal teams to align strategies

3. Business Growth & Additional Scope

• Identify further opportunities for existing clients such as:
  
  • Clean-ups
  • Restructuring
  • Tax reviews
  • Advisory projects
• Present opportunities clearly to management (value, scope, risk)
• Participate in prospect meetings to:
  
  • Understand client needs
  • Explain services in simple terms
  • Build trust and confidence
• Assist with proposals, quotes, and scoping
• Support revenue growth and billables

4. Processes, Systems & Efficiency

• Build and maintain checklists and workflows for:
  
  • Monthly deliverables
  • VAT and PAYE cycles
  • Provisional tax
  • Income tax
  • Year-end prep
• Keep files organised and review-ready
• Suggest and implement process improvements
• Work with and optimise accounting systems:
  
  • Xero
  • Sage
  • QuickBooks Online
  • Pastel
• Introduce automation and reporting enhancements where suitable

5. Client Communication & Relationships

• Communicate proactively about:
  
  • Missing information
  • Deadlines
  • Risks and issues
• Engage through calls and meetings, not only email
• Build strong, long-term client relationships
• Become a trusted first point of contact for clients

Minimum Requirements (Non-Negotiable)

Education

• BCom Accounting / Financial Accounting / Financial Management
• National Diploma / Advanced Certificate in Accounting

Experience

• 4–5 years recent hands-on accounting/bookkeeping experience
• Preferably within an accounting or audit practice
• Proven ability to take clients from raw data to:
  
  • Clean trial balances
  • Monthly management accounts
  • Year-end files
• Solid VAT and PAYE experience, including SARS reconciliations

Technical Skills

• Proficient in at least two of:
  
  • Xero
  • Sage
  • QuickBooks
  • Pastel
• Strong Excel skills (filters, lookups, pivots an advantage)
• Good accounting knowledge with tax awareness
• SARS eFiling experience (or ability to learn quickly)

Working Style

• Comfortable managing multiple clients and deadlines
• Detail-focused but practical
• Proactive problem-solver
• Confident in client conversations and meetings