About the position
This is your opportunity to join a professional project management services company specialising in the development, planning, integration and management of challenging engineering and construction related projects. Be part of the solution by supporting the business to achieve better project outcomes for your clients.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Month-end close management - orchestrates the full close calendar from AP/AR cut-off through management accounts delivery
- Management accounts preparation - P&L, balance sheet, cash flow, variance analysis, KPI dashboard; Director-ready quality for external CFO review
- Statutory compliance execution - VAT, PAYE, EMP201/501, provisional tax, CIPC; meets all deadlines; escalates risks 5+ days in advance
- Payment run management - prepares, reviews, and first-authorises payment batches; routes above-threshold items correctly per DOA
- Payroll processing and reconciliation - coordinates with HR; processes and reconciles monthly payroll; submits to Director for final approval. Cash flow management - daily bank monitoring, 13-week rolling forecast, minimum balance alerting
- Budget compilation and modelling - consolidates inputs, models scenarios, presents to Director and MD Finance systems administration - accounting software, chart of accounts, cost centres, period management, access controls
- Staff management - line manages AR and AP Administrators; sets priorities, reviews outputs, manages performance
- DOA compliance - ensures no transaction is processed without required approval; maintains exceptions log
- Absence cover readiness - prepares comprehensive handover notes; briefs Director on critical actions before any absence
- ITNS controls - applies ASL-aligned procurement payment controls; manages supplier payment holds; produces ITNS engagement finance reports
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, or Commerce (BCom Accounting or equivalent) - mandatory
- Completed SAICA articles (CA(SA)) or SAIPA learnership preferred; or equivalent professional accounting qualification (CIMA)
- Honours degree or postgraduate diploma in Accounting (CTA / HDip Acc) is an advantage
EXPERIENCE
- Minimum 5-8 years of progressive accounting experience, including at least 3 years in a full-function accounting role preferably in a SME (start-up environment with quick scalability)
- Proven track record of preparing management accounts (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow) from source data to Director-ready pack - independently and to deadline
- Hands-on experience managing statutory compliance: VAT returns (VAT201), PAYE (EMP201, EMP501), provisional tax, CIPC annual returns and all other relevant statutory submissions
- Experience managing a month-end close cycle, including accruals, reconciliations, and journal entries
- Experience authorising supplier payment runs and managing banking platform first-authorisation
- Experience line managing junior finance staff (administrators, clerks, or bookkeepers)
- Experience coordinating or supporting an external audit process - audit support file preparation, query resolution
- Proficiency with at least one mainstream accounting software package (e.g., Xero, Sage, Pastel / Accounting Online); system administration experience advantageous, Sage Intacct and Sage 300 People will be an advantage
- Proficient in Microsoft 365
- Experience in a project-based or engineering / construction environment is strongly preferred (cost centre tracking, project codes, engagement-level reporting)
- Experience working within a Delegation of Authority
KEY PERSONAL TRAITS
- Exceptionally detail-oriented - the accountant is the last line of transactional integrity before the Director; errors at this level have material financial and compliance consequences
- Highly organised and disciplined - manages multiple concurrent deadlines (month-end, payroll, statutory, payments) without dropping obligations
- Operationally resilient - maintains composure and output quality under pressure, particularly during month-end close and audit season
- Naturally inquisitive - identifies variances, anomalies, and inconsistencies proactively rather than waiting to be asked
- Strong sense of ownership - treats Finance obligations as personal responsibilities, not just tasks assigned
- Pragmatic problem-solver - finds workable solutions within policy and governance constraints
- Discreet and trustworthy - routinely handles sensitive payroll, commercial, and statutory information
- Collaborative but assertive - works effectively with AP and AR administrators while maintaining firm governance standards
- Good at directing staff and comfortable with teaching and skills transfer
Desired Skills:
- Experience in a project-based or engineering / construction environment is strongly preferred
- Minimum 5-8 years of progressive accounting experience
- including at least 3 years in a full-function accounting role preferably in a SME
Desired Work Experience:
Desired Qualification Level & Accreditations:
- Honours
- Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
- Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
Employer & Job Benefits:
- Minimum 5-8 years of progressive accounting experience
- including at least 3 years in a full-function accounting role preferably in a SME (start-up environment with quick scalability)
