Accountant (maternity contract)

SUMMARY:
An exciting opportunity is available for a detail-oriented and hands-on Financial Accountant to join a dynamic Group Finance team.

POSITION INFO:
The successful candidate will be responsible for providing financial support to a portfolio of retail stores across South Africa, ensuring accurate financial reporting, effective reconciliations, sound financial controls and compliance with accounting procedures.

This role requires a proactive individual who can manage high volumes of financial data, meet strict deadlines and build strong working relationships with both operational and senior management teams.

This is a maternity relief contract based in Bryanston, Johannesburg North.

Key Responsibilities:
Daily Financial Operations

• Perform daily bank and general ledger reconciliations, ensuring cash and credit card transactions are accurately reconciled against store cash-ups.
• Reconcile alternative payment platforms and process daily banking transactions.
• Assist stores with customer payment queries, card transactions, refunds and receipt-related matters.
• Process payments to non-stock suppliers, verifying tax invoices, supplier details and BBBEE documentation before capturing transactions on SAP.
• Provide guidance to stores on financial controls, cash-ups, petty cash, stock receipting and financial record-keeping.

• Perform stock supplier reconciliations and prepare supplier payments.
• Maintain and update the fixed asset register, including additions, disposals and monthly depreciation.
• Review store income statements, ensuring transactions are accurately recorded and investigating discrepancies.
• Assist stores with income statement queries and financial resolutions.
• Manage month-end reporting and ensure the financial close is completed by the third working day of each month.
• Monitor budget variances and investigate discrepancies.
• Assist with the preparation of monthly financial reporting packs.
• Complete monthly balance sheet and bank reconciliations, ensuring outstanding items are resolved timeously.
• Participate in monthly financial review meetings with operational management and directors.
• Assist with monthly VAT returns and Statistics South Africa submissions.

• Provide support during interim, half-year and year-end external audits.
• Deliver income statement training and financial guidance to store operators.
• Conduct monthly store visits and participate in biannual stock counts.
• Assist with the annual budgeting process.
• Provide financial support and respond to queries from directors and operational management.

• Relevant Accounting qualification.
• Proven experience in a Financial Accounting or similar accounting role.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and experience using an accounting system.
• SAP experience would be advantageous.
• Strong understanding of reconciliations, general ledger, financial reporting and month-end processes.