Assistant Financial Accountant

Job Description

• The Assistant Financial Accountant supports the Senior Financial Accountant in delivering accurate, timely and compliant financial reporting for the unit trust management companies.
• The role is responsible for transactional accounting, general ledger processing, month-end close support, balance sheet and bank reconciliations, payments, cash management, management reporting, tax-related activities, and statutory and regulatory submissions.
• The incumbent will maintain complete and audit-ready financial records, investigate and resolve reconciling items, support internal and external audits, and contribute to process improvement, with a keen focus on automation and the strengthening of financial controls across the UT Manco business.

Key responsibilities will include amongst others the following

Financial accounting and month-end closing

• Process cashbook transactions and prepare journals supported by accurate calculations and documentation.
• Prepare and submit month-end accruals and recurring or ad hoc journals for review and approval.
• Support the completion of month-end and quarter-end close activities within agreed reporting deadlines.
• Perform general ledger reviews and investigate unusual or aged balances.
• Maintain complete, accurate and appropriately approved accounting records to trial balance level.

Reconciliations and balance sheet control

• Prepare monthly bank and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Investigate, resolve and escalate reconciling items within agreed timelines.
• Maintain supporting schedules and evidence for material balance sheet accounts.
• Monitor aged reconciling items and document corrective actions.
• Support periodic balance sheet substantiation and control reviews.

Payments, receivables and cash management

• Prepare and process supplier and ad hoc payments in accordance with delegated authorities and payment controls.
• Monitor debtor receipts and creditor settlements and follow up outstanding or disputed items.
• Maintain invoice listings and complete supporting documentation.
• Monitor cash balances and assist with short-term cash-flow requirements.
• Maintain bank account information and support banking mandate changes, subject to appropriate approval controls.
• Assist with KYC and related banking verification requirements.
• Ensure compliance with applicable procurement and i-Proc requirements.

Management and regulatory reporting

• Prepare quarterly HFM submissions and support disclosure schedules.
• Assist with regulatory and statutory returns, including quarterly SARB submissions.
• Prepare routine and ad hoc management information for relevant stakeholders.
• Perform validation checks and maintain supporting evidence for submitted information.
• Investigate reporting variances and provide clear explanations where required.

Tax, audit and compliance support

• Assist with supporting information for corporate income tax, VAT and other applicable tax submissions.
• Maintain complete supporting documentation for tax calculations and submissions.
• Respond accurately and promptly to internal and external audit requests.
• Support the implementation and monitoring of audit action plans.
• Escalate identified control, compliance or reporting issues promptly.

Process improvement and stakeholder support

• Identify opportunities to simplify, standardize and automate finance processes.
• Assist with the development, testing and implementation of process improvements.
• Prepare and maintain process documentation, standard operating procedures and detailed workflows.
• Investigate, resolve and, where necessary, escalate complex stakeholder queries.
• Assist with ad hoc projects and tasks as required.

Qualifications and Experience required

• BCom Accounting degree, or equivalent.
• Two to four years of relevant financial accounting experience, preferably within financial services, investment management or unit trust administration.
• Practical experience in general ledger accounting, month-end closing, journal processing, balance sheet reconciliations and audit support.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including manipulation of large datasets.
• Experience with Oracle Fusion, HFM or a comparable ERP and consolidation system would be advantageous.
• Exposure to regulatory reporting, tax compliance or financial services control environments would be advantageous.

Skills

• Accounting, Action Planning, Budget Management, Computer Literacy, Database Reporting, Data Classification, Data Compilation, Data Controls, Data Modeling, Evaluating Information, Legal Practices, Management Reporting, Numerical Aptitude, Oral Communications, Report Review
• Competencies
• Builds Networks
• Business Insight
• Collaborates
• Courage
• Drives Results
• Ensures Accountability
• Financial Acumen
• Manages Complexity

Education

• NQF Level 7 - Degree, Advance Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate or equivalent

Closing Date

• 17 September 2026 , 23:59