Senior Bookkeeper

To prepare monthly management accounts and process and reconcile accounts payable invoices, a professional services firm in Boksburg, Gauteng is seeking a Senior Bookkeeper.

You will work alongside an experienced and supportive team in a professional setting. Do well here and the door to greater responsibility opens quickly. The culture is down-to-earth, with a real focus on getting things right. We look forward to receiving applications from candidates who meet the criteria.

Financial Reporting & Management Accounts

• Prepare monthly management accounts including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements with detailed variance analysis against budget and prior periods for senior management review and strategic decision-making.
• Manage the fixed asset register by recording acquisitions, disposals, and transfer journals, and calculating monthly depreciation in accordance with IFRS and the company's approved accounting policies and capitalisation thresholds.
• Analyse operational expenditure against approved departmental budgets, investigate significant deviations with cost centre managers, and present findings with corrective recommendations to the finance manager for review.

Statutory Compliance & Tax

• Coordinate year-end audits by preparing comprehensive audit files, compiling working papers, responding to auditor queries promptly and accurately, and facilitating timely sign-off of annual financial statements with an unqualified audit opinion.
• Prepare and submit accurate VAT returns via SARS eFiling within prescribed deadlines, reconciling the VAT control account to the general ledger and maintaining supporting documentation for audit verification and tax authority inspections.
• Handle the preparation and submission of PAYE, UIF, and SDL returns to SARS on a monthly basis, ensuring employee tax deductions and employer contributions are correctly calculated, reconciled, and remitted within statutory deadlines.

Internal Controls & Process Improvement

• Develop, document, and implement internal financial controls and standard operating procedures across the finance function to strengthen the accuracy and reliability of financial reporting and safeguard organisational assets.
• Automate recurring journal entries, reconciliation templates, and management report generation using advanced Excel functionality and accounting system capabilities to streamline month-end close processes and reduce manual effort.
• Conduct regular reviews of accounts payable and receivable processes to identify control weaknesses, reduce processing errors, and implement improvements that enhance operational efficiency while reducing fraud risk and financial losses.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to liaise effectively with clients, suppliers, auditors, and colleagues at all levels.
• Demonstrated experience in preparing and submitting VAT returns via eFiling and maintaining knowledge of tax legislation changes.
• Strong numerical accuracy and attention to detail with ability to identify and correct discrepancies in large volumes of financial data.
• A bachelor's degree or diploma in accounting, financial management, or a closely related field from a recognised institution.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills to prioritise tasks effectively during peak reporting periods such as month-end.
• A proactive approach to problem-solving with the ability to investigate and resolve complex reconciling items independently.