Bookkeeper / Accounts Manager

SUMMARY:
Bookkeeper / Accounts Manager

POSITION INFO:
Qualification Matric / Senior Certificate Minimum: Bookkeeping Diploma (or equivalent) Pastel essential Requirements Experience: 10+ years' bookkeeping to balance sheet, at middle-management level. Software: Revelations and Sage payroll advantageous. Strong Excel skills. Payroll & Tax Knowledge: Sound working knowledge of South African payroll, PAYE, UIF, SDL, COIDA and VAT requirements Communication: Good verbal and written communication skills and a pleasant, professional manner. Technology: Our owners are very IT-driven Experience with AI tools or broader IT skills is advantageous, but not essential Language: Bilingual: English & Afrikaans (written and spoken); mainly English. Attributes: High integrity and discretion, strong attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple deadlines. Deadlines: Month-end, year-end and statutory deadlines may occasionally require extended hours. Confidentiality: This role handles sensitive financial and payroll information. Appointment is subject to satisfactory reference, credit and criminal record checks. Duties Bookkeeping & Financial Accounting (Primary Focus) Full Bookkeeping to Balance Sheet: Maintain complete, accurate and up-to-date books for Head Office and all branches, including journals, accruals and month-end closing Reconciliations: Perform bank, debtors, creditors and general ledger control account reconciliations timeously and accurately VAT: Prepare VAT reconciliations and submit VAT201 returns accurately and on time. Year-End Preparation: Prepare the year-end file up to balance sheet for the external accountants, who compile the annual financial statements and income tax returns, and provide supporting schedules and information as required Debtors & Creditors Debtors Management: Oversee a debtors book of approx. R240 million per annum, including allocations, statements, age analysis, credit control, collections and account queries Creditors Management: Manage creditors of approx. R24 million per annum: verify and capture supplier invoices, reconcile supplier statements, and prepare payment runs for director approval Forex Payments: Process foreign currency payments to international suppliers and record forex transactions and exchange differences correctly Imports Support: Develop a working understanding of the import process (shipping, customs and landed costs) in order to assist the team when necessary. Payroll & Statutory Compliance Commission Statements: Produce staff commission statements after the 20th of each month Payroll Inputs: Send all payroll information to the outsourced payroll administrator (Sage HR) in good time for approx. 50 staff Salary Payments : On receipt of the final payroll, load salaries onto the bank for release by the owner. Statutory Payroll Returns: Check the EMP201, UIF and EMP501/IRP5 submissions done by the payroll provider Payroll Capability: Able to run the full payroll in-house should the need ever arise. COIDA: Complete and submit the annual COIDA Return of Earnings and maintain the company's Letter of Good Standing with the Compensation Fund. Regulatory Liaison: Provide information to the external accountants for CIPC annual returns and provisional tax, and keep track of all statutory deadlines. Management Reporting Management Accounts: Prepare accurate monthly management accounts for the owners/directors. Cash Flow Forecasting: Prepare and maintain cash flow forecasts and monitor cash position. Ad-hoc Reporting: Provide financial analysis and reports to support the directors' decision-making Head Office Administration Admin Coordination: Work with the Head Office admin team of 4, ensuring financial paperwork is accurate and on time Internal Controls: Maintain sound financial controls and procedures, and ensure branch paperwork and transactions are received correctly and on time Director Support: A trusted, confidential point of contact for the directors on financial matters.