Head of Department: Outsourced Accounting

R50,000 - R65,000

About Job Role

• We are seeking an experienced Head of Department: Outsourced Accounting to lead and oversee a team of accountants and ensure the delivery of high-quality, commercially relevant accounting and management reporting services to clients.
• The successful candidate will combine strong technical accounting and financial reporting skills with effective people management, client relationship management and operational oversight. They must be able to work across a diverse range of businesses and apply sound commercial judgement to each client's circumstances.
• The position is office-based, and the successful candidate will report directly to thepartners of the practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage, mentor, and oversee the outsourced accounting team, including coaching and developing team members.
• Review and oversee monthly accounting processing performed by the team, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and appropriate accounting treatment.
• Thoroughly review monthly accounting files and raise review notes where clarification, correction or further investigation is required.
• Review and analyse monthly management accounts prepared for clients and ensure that reports are relevant, accurate and useful for decision-making.
• Meet with clients to discuss management accounts, business performance, key financial trends and areas requiring attention.
• Respond to and resolve client queries efficiently and professionally.
• Manage competing priorities effectively, balancing staff management, technical reviews, deadlines and client requirements.
• Ensure all outsourced accounting clients receive their annual financial statements within a maximum of six months after financial year-end.
• Monitor client profitability and financial performance for provisional tax purposes and identify matters requiring attention.
• Assist clients with the preparation of financing packs and other financial information required by lenders and financial institutions.
• Oversee and assist with FICA-related reporting and compliance requirements where applicable.
• Travel locally, as well as to other provinces when required, to meet with and check in on clients and maintain strong client relationships.
• Make responsible and effective use of technology and automation to improve efficiency, turnaround times and service delivery.
• Ensure the accounting team consistently delivers a professional, efficient and value-adding service to clients.

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS Qualifications | Years of Experience

• Minimum 3 years' post-article experience SAICA in a financial reporting environment.
• At least 8-10 years' experience across all areas of administrative tax
• Strong experience in the preparation and review of management accounts and annual financial statements.
• Experience dealing with SARS verification, disputes, and queries.
• Proven experience supervising, reviewing and coaching accounting staff.
• Strong communication and client-facing skills.
• Solid technical accounting and financial reporting knowledge.
• Working knowledge of, and strong practical skills in, Pastel Partner, QuickBooks and Xero are essential.
• Experience with other accounting, reporting, workflow or practice management software will be considered beneficial.
• Ability to manage multiple clients, deadlines and priorities effectively.
• Willingness and ability to travel locally and occasionally to other provinces as required.
• A CASA designation will be highly advantageous but is not essential.
• Bilingual fluency in Afrikaans and English is essential for this role

Skills and Competencies

• A strong team player who enjoys working collaboratively and developing others.
• A self-starter who takes ownership of their responsibilities and does not require extensive oversight or day-to-day supervision.
• Highly detail-oriented, with a fine eye for detail and a strong commitment to quality.
• Able to apply their technical knowledge and professional judgement to a wide variety of businesses and industries.
• Comfortable managing staff, deadlines and multiple client portfolios simultaneously.
• Confident and professional when dealing directly with clients and able to handle client queries with ease.
• Commercially minded, with the ability to interpret financial information and identify issues, trends and opportunities.
• Technologically capable and willing to use appropriate technology responsibly to improve efficiency without compromising professional judgement or quality.
• Proactive, organised and capable of working independently while still contributing positively to the broader team.
• Comfortable reporting directly to the partners of the practice and taking responsibility for the performance and delivery of the outsourced accounting department.