Accountant (Property Sectional Title)

SUMMARY:
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POSITION INFO:

Property Accountant

Benoni

Reporting Line: Reports directly to the General Manager

Job Purpose

To lead and manage the finance function of a residential property management agency, overseeing all financial operations across body corporates and homeowner associations. This includes budgeting, levy processing, reporting, banking control, staff management, onboarding new portfolios, professional communication, and audit coordination — all delivered within defined timeframes and governance requirements.  A critical aspect of the job is to provide support to operations (i.e. portfolio and estate managers) as well as other departments in the company.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Operations

• Manage debtors, creditors, general ledger, account reconciliations, and age analysis
• Administer levy runs using complex Excel models tailored to individual schemes
• Validate uploaded rates, charges, and usage data across body corporates and HOAs
• Ensure all financial transactions are accurately processed via dedicated property management software using imported Excel spreadsheets for billing and reconciliation workflows
• Load and authorise payments on banking platforms including FNB 3PIM, Enterprise, and others
• Maintain strict control over user permissions and authorisation levels across financial systems
• Plan, track, and ensure completion of month-end, quarter-end, and year-end tasks within set deadlines

Budgeting & Financial Reporting

• Prepare and present scheme-specific budgets in collaboration with trustees, portfolio and estate managers
• Compile monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports (income statement, balance sheet, variance analysis, cash flow) as required
• Interpret and communicate financial data to support governance decisions and operational planning.
• Ensure that all financial transactions are accurately recorded, documented, and analysed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
• Managing the budgeting and forecasting process to support strategic planning and decision-making within the organization
• Assessing and implementing internal controls, processes, and systems to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and reliability of the accounting function.
•  Monitor and analyse financial data to identify variances, trends, and areas for improvement, and providing insights and recommendations to management.

Audit & Compliance

• Support external auditors by preparing documentation, reconciliations, and historical records
• Ensure full compliance with STSMA, Companies Act, and applicable HOA governance structures
• Maintain internal controls and documentation systems that support transparency and audit readiness
• Keep abreast of changes in accounting standards, regulations, and reporting requirements, and ensure that the company remains compliant with all relevant financial regulations
• Keep abreast of fraud related activities to ensure policies and procedures are to combat fraud are kept up to date

Team Leadership & Development

• Supervise and mentor accounting staff across bookkeeping, data entry, payments, and reporting functions
• Conduct regular training on property management systems, reconciliation methods, regulatory frameworks and all other activities
• Establish performance metrics and accountability reviews aligned with financial deadlines
• Ensure team deliverables are coordinated and tracked to maintain operational flow

Portfolio Onboarding & Stakeholder Liaison

• Manage financial onboarding of new property portfolios within agreed deadlines
• Liaise with outgoing managing agents to secure and integrate historical financial records
• Facilitate stakeholder communication during onboarding phases, ensuring smooth financial transitions
• Managefinancial offboarding of other managing agents taking over a IM scheme

Interdepartmental Collaboration

• Develop strong relationships and support with portfolio managers, estate managers, compliance teams, and administrative departments
• Participate in strategic planning to align financial operations with broader property management objectives
• Share financial insights and recommendations across departments to support operational efficiency

Stakeholder Communication

• Professionally liaise with trustees, directors, auditors, attorneys, accountants, and homeowners
• Prepare and review financial statements, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements, to provide accurate and timely financial information to external stakeholders
• Provide financial updates, respond to queries, and communicate decisions clearly and diplomatically
• Ensure all stakeholder interactions are documented and handled with accuracy, professionalism, and legal clarity
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with banks, financial institutions, and other relevant external partners to support the company’s financial operations.

Required Skills & Competencies

• Advanced Excel proficiency (formulas, pivot tables, levy modelling)
• Experience using property management software for financial transactions and reporting
• Strong understanding of digital banking platforms and authorisation protocols
• Excellent leadership and planning skills with a proven ability to manage deadlines and team output
• Professional stakeholder engagement and cross-functional collaboration abilities

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or similar diploma in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• Minimum 5 to 10 years'' experience in property finance with focus on body corporates and HOAs
• Familiarity with property management software and levy automation systems
• Proven success in team management, financial reporting, audit preparation, and stakeholder relations