Senior Accountant (QSR/Retail) - CPT

Introduction

Are you an experienced accounting professional with strong analytical skills and a passion for fast-paced commercial environments?

In this role, you will work closely with the Financial Manager to drive complete, accurate, and timely financial reporting across high-volume operations. You will take ownership of month-end closures, complex reconciliations, statutory compliance, and cost analysis, while identifying opportunities to streamline reporting and automate processes. This role offers excellent scope for professional development, providing full-spectrum exposure to financial controls, inventory accounting, management forecasting, and commercial analysis within a thriving multi-unit enterprise.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Financial Reporting & Month-End Close:   Prepare accurate monthly management accounts, balance sheet schedules, accruals, provisions, and draft annual financial statements in line with strict deadlines.

• Reconciliations & Balance Sheet Governance:   Oversee and review comprehensive monthly balance sheet reconciliations (creditors, stock, cashbook, VAT), resolving reconciling exceptions promptly and maintaining audit-ready working papers.

• Tax, Statutory & Audit Management:   Prepare VAT submissions, assist with income and provisional tax calculations, and manage external audit and franchisor compliance requests.

• Stock & Cost Accounting Controls:   Review and reconcile inventory transactions, participate in stock-take reviews, analyze stock variances, and ensure robust cost allocations.

• Budgeting, Forecasting & Analysis:   Assist with annual budgeting cycles, rolling cash flow forecasts, turnover rental schedules, and detailed revenue/cost variance analysis.

• Process Optimisation & Systems:   Identify opportunities to automate workflows in Sage/Pastel Evolution, enhance internal controls, and streamline reporting templates.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration:   Partner with operations, payroll, and procurement to resolve financial queries and provide meaningful management insights.

Desired Experience & Qualification

Must-Haves (Essential)

• Education:   BCom Degree in Accounting / Financial Management

• Experience:   Minimum of 5 years’ post-article accounting experience handling end-to-end month-end closures and balance sheet controls.

• Technical Skills:   Advanced Microsoft Excel proficiency (complex formulas, lookups, pivot tables, and large-dataset modeling).

• Core Competencies:   Proven expertise in high-volume transaction reconciliations, VAT submissions, and management pack preparations.

• Working Style:   Strong organizational discipline, attention to detail, and ability to thrive under deadline pressure.

Nice-to-Haves (Advantageous)

• Industry Experience:   Exposure to Quick Service Restaurant (QSR), retail, FMCG, multi-unit franchise, or POS/cash-heavy environments.

• Systems Knowledge:   Hands-on experience with Sage / Pastel Evolution and payroll integration.