Accounts Assistant

SUMMARY:
An established luxury lodge and hotel group in Southern Africa is seeking a meticulous and motivated Accounts Assistant to join its dynamic finance team based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Renowned for its iconic safari lodges and boutique properties that attract a discerning international clientele, the group upholds the highest standards of excellence in hospitality. As an Accounts Assistant, you will play a vital role in supporting the financial operations of the business.
In the hospitality industry, an Accounts Assistant plays a crucial role in supporting financial operations, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficiency in day-to-day accounting tasks. Within luxury hotels and lodges, this role is essential to maintaining financial integrity and operational excellence. As an Accounts Assistant, you contribute to the smooth financial functioning of the establishment—processing transactions, reconciling accounts, and assisting with payroll and reporting—while upholding the refined standards that define luxury hospitality. Your diligence and precision help drive sustainable growth and reinforce the brand’s reputation for excellence.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Record Keeping:
As an Accounts Assistant, you play a key role in maintaining accurate and well-organized financial records. This includes recording and categorizing daily financial transactions such as income, expenses, assets, and liabilities. Your attention to detail ensures that all entries are precise and compliant with accounting standards. Proficiency in accounting software is essential, as you will be responsible for updating ledgers, reconciling accounts, and supporting the finance team in preparing reports and audits.
Financial Reporting:
You support the preparation of key financial reports, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow summaries. These documents offer valuable insights into the organization’s financial position and performance. Your role involves gathering and verifying financial data, ensuring accuracy and consistency across reports. These reports are essential tools for management decision-making and help meet the requirements of investors and regulatory authorities.
Budgeting & Forecasting:
As an Accounts Assistant, you play a supportive role in the budgeting and forecasting process. Working closely with the finance team and management, you help compile budget data, track actual performance against budgets, and identify variances. Your responsibilities may include gathering financial information, updating spreadsheets, and assisting in the preparation of forecasts. Your attention to detail and analytical support contribute to informed financial planning and effective resource allocation across the organization.
Risk Management:
As an Accounts Assistant, you contribute to the identification and monitoring of financial risks by ensuring accurate record-keeping and supporting compliance with financial procedures. Your role includes assisting in the review of financial data to help identify irregularities or potential risks related to expenditures, payments, and reconciliations. By maintaining reliable financial records and supporting internal controls, you help the finance team implement strategies that mitigate financial risk and promote sound financial practices.
Communication:
As an Accounts Assistant, strong communication skills are essential for conveying financial information clearly and effectively to non-financial stakeholders. You will regularly collaborate with various departments, management, and external partners to support financial objectives. Whether you’re clarifying invoice details, assisting with budget inputs, or responding to queries, your ability to communicate accurately and professionally ensures smooth financial operations and fosters cross-functional teamwork.

POSITION INFO:
Minimum Experience & Requirements

• Process supplier invoices and liaise with suppliers to resolve queries.
• Manage accruals, prepayments, and petty cash reconciliations.
• Verify F&B receiving against purchases, POs, and receipts.
• Ensure Aged Accounts Payable reports align with the General Ledger.
• Reconcile and balance cash, floats, and dockets daily.
• Complete monthly payroll and third-party statutory payments.
• Prepare monthly payroll journals.
• Handle debtor processing, reconciliation, and collections.
• Assist with stocktaking and ensure accurate processing of stock figures.
• Maintain systematic records of petty cash and financial documentation.
• Support internal control systems and report any discrepancies to management.
• 1–3 years’ experience in a similar role within the hospitality industry.
• Matric (minimum); a relevant tertiary qualification is advantageous.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Excel (intermediate to advanced).
• Experience with Pastel and VIP Payroll.
• Familiarity with hospitality PMS systems (NebulaPMS is a bonus).
• Valid RSA ID.