Financial Accountant

The Accountant - Finance Shared Services is responsible for ensuring the accurate, timely and consistent recording, reconciliation and reporting of operating expenses across multiple business entities. The role plays a key part in delivering an efficient month-end close, maintaining the integrity of the financial statements, ensuring compliance with accounting standards and company policies, and providing meaningful financial insights that support informed business decisions.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Accounting & Month-End Close

• Process and maintain accurate accounting records for operating expenses across multiple entities.
• Execute month-end close activities in accordance with finance reporting deadlines (BD1-BD5).
• Prepare and post journals, accruals, prepayments and reallocations.
• Ensure all expenses are accurately recorded within the correct accounting period.
• Monitor daily financial transactions and investigate unusual or incomplete postings.
• Prepare monthly balance sheet reconciliations.
• Investigate and resolve reconciling items within agreed timelines.
• Maintain supporting documentation for all reconciliations.
• Ensure balance sheet integrity through regular review and analysis.

Financial Analysis & Reporting

• Analyse operating expenses and identify material variances.
• Investigate unexpected movements and determine root causes.
• Provide clear commentary and explanations for monthly financial results.
• Support Finance Managers with financial analysis and reporting requirements.
• Highlight risks, missing costs and opportunities for improvement.
• Ensure compliance with IFRS, the Companies Act, tax regulations and internal accounting policies.
• Support internal and external audit requirements.
• Maintain strong financial controls and governance processes.
• Identify financial risks and recommend corrective actions where necessary.

Shared Services Operations

• Support multiple business entities within the Finance Shared Services environment.
• Assist team members during peak reporting periods.
• Maintain standardised accounting processes across all supported entities.
• Contribute to continuous process improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency and accuracy.

Stakeholder Support

• Build strong working relationships with Finance Managers and business stakeholders.
• Respond to finance queries accurately and within agreed service levels.
• Provide financial insights that assist operational decision-making.
• Communicate financial information clearly to both finance and non-finance stakeholders.
• Deliver timely and accurate month-end financial close (BD1-BD5).
• Maintain high levels of accuracy across journals, reconciliations and financial reporting.
• Complete balance sheet reconciliations within reporting deadlines.
• Identify and resolve financial discrepancies promptly.
• Ensure compliance with accounting standards, company policies and governance requirements.
• Support effective collaboration across the Finance Shared Services team.
• Deliver meaningful financial commentary and variance analysis.

Minimum Qualifications

• BCom Degree in Accounting, Finance or a related discipline.

Experience Required

• Minimum 3 years' experience in a finance or accounting role.
• Experience within a shared services environment would be advantageous.
• Completed audit articles will be considered beneficial.
• Experience preparing month-end journals, reconciliations and financial reporting.
• Exposure to ERP systems such as Syspro or similar financial systems.
• Strong understanding of financial accounting principles.
• Knowledge of IFRS and financial reporting standards.
• Experience with balance sheet reconciliations and income statement analysis.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• ERP system experience (Syspro or equivalent).
• Strong financial reporting and analytical capabilities.

Core Competencies

• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Sound technical accounting knowledge.
• Effective time management and ability to meet tight reporting deadlines.
• Strong process discipline and commitment to compliance.
• Proactive approach to identifying and resolving issues.
• Excellent communication and business partnering skills.
• High level of systems proficiency and financial reporting capability.
• Collaborative team player who supports colleagues across multiple entities.
• Ability to manage competing priorities within a fast-paced shared services environment.