Financial Accountant

OVERVIEW

To monitor all financial data and prepare accurate statements for relevant entity. The Financial Accountants responsibilities include financial reporting, budgeting and managing tax payments.
The role will act as consultant to managers, conducting cost and revenue analysis and ensuring that all accounting transactions comply with the law and support the company's investments.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide support to the business by reviewing, analysing, and reporting on actual vs. budget performance.
• Assist with budgeting and forecasting processes.
• Analyse and report on the financial status, including income statement variances, and communicate financial results to management, including working capital management.
• Perform a wide range of ad-hoc analytical tasks to support senior management decision-making.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual accounting activities, including account reconciliations, coordinating and completing annual audits, and reviewing financial reports, including corporate reporting for consolidation.
• Assist with providing documentation required for audit fieldwork during external audits and BEE audits. Address and resolve queries raised by external auditors.
• Ensure that financial accounting and reporting comply with statutory and corporate requirements, including timely monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting.
• Maintain an effective and efficient control environment aligned with the company's internal control policies and regulatory requirements, including but not limited to revenue recognition, reserve accounting, and accruals.
• Ensure all statutory filings, such as financial statements, taxes, VAT, withholding taxes, and other required filings, are submitted on time.
• Continuously improve accounting processes to enhance efficiency and relevance, including further automation where possible.
• Support the business in maintaining a stable control environment, identify areas for improvement, monitor feedback, and proactively address control breaches.
• Manage accounts payable processes in adherence to SLAs, oversee debtor management, drive a reduction in DSO (Days Sales Outstanding), and optimize cash flow.
• Prepare and consolidate monthly reports by analysing trends and cost drivers towards the end of each month.
• Perform variance analysis by comparing performance results to budget figures and measuring growth against previous periods.

REQUIREMENTS 

• Matric /Grade 12
• Bachelor of Accounting Science or Similar Degree
• Completed SAICA or SAIPA articles preferential but not essential
  
• Minimum of 5 years experience in a similar role
• Insurance Industry Experience Preferential but not Essential
• Xero Software Experience Preferential but not Essential
• Sage Evolution Experience preferred but not essential
• IDU Experience preferred but not essential
• Prior knowledge of the short-term insurance industry would be an advantage

SKILLS

• Solid knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook
• Good computer skills
  
• Ability to communicate fluently in English
• Excellent relationship management skills
• Excellent Analytical skills
• Ability to listen without interrupting
• Strong problem-solving ability
• Strong negotiation skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, especially email and telephone etiquette
• Patience
• Able to be a good brand ambassador
• Honesty and integrity
• Positive outlook on life, work and other people
• Attentive to detail and passionate about problem solving
• Able to accurately estimate work required tasks, prioritise work and deliver to deadlines
• Able to think creatively outside the box
• Ability to work well in a team as well as individually
• Good time management
• Maintaining good working relationships with other departments

Place of work