Accountant (Xero)

Introduction

The Employee shall primarily be responsible for ensuring the accurate, timely and efficient execution of the Employer's day-to-day financial administration. The role supports the financial integrity of the Employer through disciplined financial processing, reconciliations, supplier and customer management, statutory compliance and administrative support, while contributing to the efficient operation of the finance function.

Duties & Responsibilities

1.1. Financial Processing and Accounting

• Processing all financial transactions accurately and timeously within Xero.

• Maintaining the general ledger and ensuring transactions are correctly allocated.

• Processing journals and month-end accounting adjustments where required.

• Ensuring that financial records are complete, accurate and maintained in an audit-ready condition.

• Maintaining supporting documentation for all financial transactions.

1.2. Bank and Cash Management

• Performing daily and monthly bank reconciliations across all Employer bank accounts.

• Investigating and resolving unreconciled items promptly.

• Monitoring cash balances and reporting any irregularities.

• Managing petty cash where applicable.

• Assisting with cash flow reporting and forecasting.

1.3. Accounts Payable (Supplier Management)

• Receiving, verifying and processing supplier invoices.

• Ensuring supplier invoices are appropriately authorised prior to payment.

• Maintaining accurate supplier records.

• Preparing supplier payment schedules.

• Processing supplier payments in accordance with approved payment terms.

• Reconciling supplier statements and resolving supplier queries.

• Building and maintaining professional supplier relationships.

1.4. Accounts Receivable (Customer Management)

• Preparing and issuing customer invoices accurately and timeously.

• Maintaining customer accounts within Xero.

• Monitoring debtor balances and customer ageing.

• Following up on outstanding customer payments professionally.

• Allocating receipts against customer accounts.

• Resolving customer account queries.

• Escalating overdue accounts where appropriate.

1.5. Payments and Banking

• Preparing electronic payment batches for approval.

• Ensuring all payments are supported by appropriate approved documentation.

• Processing local and international payments where applicable.

• Maintaining payment registers and supporting documentation.

• Assisting with foreign currency payments where required.

1.6. Tax and Statutory Compliance

• Preparing information required for VAT submissions.

• Assisting with PAYE, UIF and SDL administration.

• Supporting provisional tax and income tax compliance.

• Assisting with Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) compliance where required.

• Liaising with SARS and external tax advisers where necessary.

• Ensuring compliance with all applicable statutory filing deadlines.

1.7. Month-End and Financial Reporting

• Assisting with the preparation of monthly management accounts.

• Preparing balance sheet reconciliations.

• Reconciling key control accounts.

• Preparing schedules and supporting documentation for auditors.

• Supporting the preparation of annual financial statements.

• Assisting with budgeting and forecasting processes.

1.8. Travel and Administration

• Booking domestic and international travel.

• Arranging accommodation and vehicle hire.

• Coordinating travel itineraries for employees and stakeholders.

• Ensuring travel arrangements comply with the Employer's policies.

• Maintaining travel records and supporting documentation.

• Processing travel-related expenses and reconciliations.

1.9. Financial Controls and Compliance

• Ensuring adherence to the Employer's internal financial controls.

• Maintaining the confidentiality of all financial and commercially sensitive information.

• Identifying financial and operational risks and recommending process improvements.

• Supporting the implementation and ongoing compliance with finance policies and procedures.

• Maintaining organised electronic and physical financial filing systems.

1.10. Audit Support

• Preparing audit schedules and supporting documentation.

• Responding promptly to requests from internal and external auditors.

• Assisting with internal and external audits.

• Ensuring financial records remain audit compliant throughout the financial year

1.11. Systems

The Employee shall utilise such accounting, banking and administrative systems as the Employer may reasonably require from time to time, including, without limitation:

• Xero Accounting;

• Microsoft Excel (advanced);

• Microsoft Office Suite;

• Online banking platforms;

• SARS eFiling (where applicable through the Employer's appointed tax practitioner); and

• CIPC systems (where applicable).

1.12. General Responsibilities

• Maintaining the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and confidentiality.

• Working collaboratively with the Finance Manager and the broader management team.

• Assisting with finance-related projects as reasonably required.

• Supporting operational teams with financial information and administrative assistance.

• Performing such additional duties as may reasonably be required to support the finance function and the Employer's business from time to time.

• Maintaining strict confidentiality in respect of all financial information, payroll information, budgets, management accounts, banking information and commercially sensitive information of the Employer.

1.13. Key Performance Metrics

• The Parties agree that the Employees performance in this role may be assessed against, amongst other things, the following key performance metrics:

• accurate and timeous processing of financial transactions within Xero.

• timely completion of daily and monthly bank reconciliations.

• timely processing of supplier invoices and payments in accordance with approved payment terms.

• effective management of debtor accounts, including the timely follow-up and collection of outstanding amounts.

• accurate preparation and reconciliation of management accounts, balance sheet reconciliations and supporting financial schedules.

• compliance with all applicable statutory and regulatory filing and payment deadlines, including VAT, PAYE, UIF and SDL.

• timely completion of month-end and year-end financial processes.

• maintenance of complete, accurate and audit-ready financial records.

• compliance with the Employer's internal financial controls, policies and procedures.

• professional, responsive and effective service to internal stakeholders, customers, suppliers, auditors and regulatory authorities.

• demonstration of a high degree of accuracy, attention to detail, integrity and confidentiality in the performance of all duties.

• contribution towards the continuous improvement of financial systems, controls

• and operational processes.

Desired Experience & Qualification

- financial qualification

- Xero Accounting (COMPULSORY)