Assistant Finance Manager (Manufacturing Industry) - Germiston

SUMMARY:
The Assistant Finance Manager will oversee day-to-day accounting operations, including Debtors and Creditors, while ensuring the accuracy and completeness of financial records. The role is responsible for general ledger and balance sheet reconciliations, payment verification, cashbook reviews, statutory compliance and the preparation of monthly management accounts.
The successful candidate will work closely with the Financial Manager, supervise finance staff, liaise with external auditors and ensure that financial reporting, internal controls and statutory obligations are completed accurately and within the required deadlines.

Key Responsibilities

General Accounting & Financial Controls

• Maintain accurate, complete and up-to-date accounting records.
• Process and review journals, accruals, provisions, prepayments and other month-end adjustments.
• Perform and review general ledger and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Investigate and resolve accounting discrepancies and ensure reconciling items are addressed promptly.
• Ensure financial procedures and internal controls are consistently applied.
• Identify and report financial risks, errors and control weaknesses to the Financial Manager.

Debtors & Creditors Management

• Oversee and manage the full Debtors and Creditors control functions.
• Supervise Debtors and Creditors staff, ensuring that transactions are processed accurately and timeously.
• Monitor outstanding balances, reconciliations and control accounts.
• Ensure that financial records and supporting documentation are maintained in accordance with established procedures.

Payments, Cashbooks & Cash Flow

• Check and verify outgoing payment batches before submission for authorisation.
• Review cashbooks processed by the finance department.
• Monitor bank balances and provide accurate financial information to support cash-flow planning.
• Ensure that payment processes are accurate, properly documented and compliant with internal controls.

Month-End & Management Accounts

• Ensure all month-end accounting transactions and adjustments are processed accurately and within stipulated deadlines.
• Prepare and complete monthly management accounts for review by the Financial Manager.
• Ensure that general ledger accounts and balance sheet reconciliations are completed before month-end reporting.
• Investigate variances and provide supporting financial information as required.

Statutory Returns & Compliance

• Prepare and submit applicable statutory returns within prescribed deadlines.
• Liaise with SARS and other relevant statutory authorities when required.
• Ensure compliance with applicable accounting, taxation and statutory requirements.
• Maintain accurate supporting records for statutory submissions and financial reporting.

Auditors & Year-End

• Liaise with external auditors during annual audits.
• Prepare audit schedules, reconciliations and supporting documentation.
• Assist with year-end financial reporting and audit requirements.
• Respond to audit queries and follow up on outstanding information to facilitate the timely completion of audits.

Team Management & General Administration

• Supervise, support and manage Debtors and Creditors staff.
• Allocate work, monitor performance and ensure that deadlines and quality standards are met.
• Maintain the confidentiality and security of financial information.
• Perform additional accounting, financial and administrative duties reasonably associated with the position, as required by the Financial Manager or management.

POSITION INFO:

Role Requirements

Qualifications

• BCom in Accounting, Finance or a closely related field is the minimum requirement.
• A Chartered Accountant (CA) qualification is not required.

Experience

• Minimum of 10 years' relevant accounting experience in a medium-to-large manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience overseeing Debtors and Creditors functions.
• Strong practical experience in general ledger and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Experience preparing monthly management accounts and managing month-end processes.
• Experience with payment verification, cashbook reviews, statutory returns and financial controls.
• Experience liaising with external auditors and supporting year-end audits.
• Proven staff supervision and management experience.

Technical Requirements

• Strong knowledge of accounting principles, financial reporting and internal controls.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Proficiency in accounting software, preferably Sage Pastel Evolution or a similar system.
• Sound understanding of statutory compliance and taxation processes.
• Ability to analyse financial information, investigate discrepancies and resolve accounting issues.

Key Competencies

• Strong attention to detail and numerical accuracy.
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
• Ability to meet strict month-end, reporting and statutory deadlines.
• Effective leadership and staff management.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• High levels of integrity, honesty and confidentiality.
• Proactive, accountable and solutions-oriented approach.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with management and external stakeholders.