Senior Accountant – Control Union South Africa

As an established international services company, we are looking for a Senior Accountant to lead our existing finance team in Benoni and support the company and its management with all financial, compliance, and reporting aspects of business in Southern Africa.

Working in a busy and deadline-driven finance environment, the candidate will ensure the efficient functioning of the finance team, accurate and timely reporting to group head office according to company finance manual, recognised accounting standards, and legislation in South Africa. The role is hands-on, with the expectation that the candidate will be involved and able to support every member and function of the finance team. The candidate will serve as a valuable link between finance and operations in Southern Africa.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Full accounting function on supervisory, support, and hands-on levels
• Ensure compliance with statutory and tax legislation in South Africa
• Supervise and lead the South African finance team
• Prepare monthly management accounts and supporting analyses of Balance Sheet
• Prepare monthly Profit and Loss Statement with detailed costing and gross margin reporting
• Prepare annual budgets and periodic forecasting
• Analyse results against budget, forecasts, and KPIs, and summarize financial status
• Monthly and periodic reporting to group head office according to strict deadlines
• Prepare, reconcile, and file timeously monthly PAYE/UIF/SDL returns
• Prepare, reconcile, and file timeously monthly VAT returns
• Prepare, reconcile, and file timeously annual OID returns
• Assist and prepare the monthly payroll
• Manage employee fringe benefits program and liaise with financial broker
• Liaise with external HR consultant on skills, equity, and B-BBEE reporting and compliance
• Manage insurance policies and fixed asset register
• Liaise with external financial auditor for audit, tax, statutory, and secretarial matters
• Manage annual financial audit process
• Treasury and cashflow forecasting
• Vendor payments and manage service provider contracts
• Continuous interaction with operational departments to understand activities in real time
• Support client contracting and review of offers and quotes to customers
• Ensure client contracting reflects budgeted assumptions and complete costing of services
• Foster and develop adherence to internal controls
• Manage external stakeholder relationships with customers, suppliers, sub-contractors, employees, SARS, and other governmental departments
• Support Managing Director and Regional Financial Controller in matters relating to business in Southern Africa.

Desired Qualification, Experience, and Skills:

• B Compt or B Com degree in accounting a minimum
• Completed articles or relevant certification (e.g. CMA or CPA) an advantage
• Qualified Payroll Administrator an advantage
• Proven experience as Senior Accountant or Accounting Supervisor in a corporate environment with people management skills (minimum 3 years)
• Proven experience of full accounting function from source document to audit pack (minimum 7 years)
• Strong computer literacy – MS Office and advanced MS Excel skills
• Hands-on experience with accounting software packages, i.e., Sage Accounting, and with Payroll software
• In-depth understanding and working experience of GAAP principles, statutory, and tax legislation in South Africa

Key Attributes:

• Professional person with an exceptional sense of responsibility and integrity
• Management skills to successfully organise and lead finance team while offering hands-on support as needed
• Professional work ethic and excellent interpersonal skills across all levels of the organisation
• Deadline driven
• Able to maintain focus on company goals and ‘see the big picture’ in the small detail.
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Strong mathematical and accounting acumen
• Strong personality to enforce internal controls and adherence to company policies
• Ability to work well under pressure and respond to tight deadlines
• Demonstrate ability to multi-task, organise, and efficiently prioritise work.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to speak both in English and Afrikaans

Remuneration and company benefits are subject to terms and conditions.

Permanent, full-time. Available immediately. Office based in Benoni, Gauteng, South Africa.

Send CVs to Global HR Manager, Francois de Kock at fdkock@pcugroup.com

Only applicants with relevant CVs to apply.

Please include the title ‘Senior Accountant’ in the subject line.