Mid Management Accountant

At the SKAO we are coordinating a global effort to deliver one of the largest science facilities on the planet. The SKAO telescopes will be next-generation instruments that will help to answer key questions in astrophysics, drive technological innovation and support human capital development.

More than a dozen partner countries and over a thousand scientists and engineers around the world are already on board, making the SKA project an international collaboration like no other, and one of the most ambitious science and engineering endeavours of the 21st century.

Headquartered in the UK, with telescope sites in Australia and South Africa, the SKAO will be one observatory operating two telescopes, an endeavour spanning three continents. Multinational by design, in early 2021 the SKAO became an intergovernmental organisation, one of only a select handful of science infrastructures to do so worldwide.

Construction activities for the SKAO's telescopes in Australia and South Africa started in 2021, along with a ramping up of SKAO staff in both countries. It is expected that the transition from the Construction Phase to the Operations Phase will happen around 2028.

SKAO Operations in South Africa will be conducted in partnership with the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO). SKAO Operations in Australia will be conducted in partnership with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). The Observatory will also partner closely with a global network of SKA Regional Centres through which astronomers will access science data products and a suite of tools and resources to further analyse the SKA telescopes' data.

For more information on the SKA project visit https://www.skao.int/

The SKA Observatory offers a competitive salary and a generous pension and benefits package. As an employee of an intergovernmental organisation, an appointee who is not a national of the country in which the role is based may be subject to personal Privileges and Immunities.

SKA-Mid Management Accountant

The Management Accountant is responsible for supporting financial reporting and transactional finance for SKAO’s South African ledger, ensuring accurate month-end close, journals, reconciliations, VAT compliance, and management reporting. The role partners with cost centre owners to provide meaningful financial insight, supports budgeting and forecasting processes, and oversees expense and credit card governance. It combines hands-on accounting responsibilities with input into wider financial planning and analysis within a group reporting environment.

The Role

Reporting to the SKAO-Mid Finance & Procurement Manager, the Management Accountant will support the transactional finance function focusing mainly on the South African ledger of SKAO’s group reporting structure. However, the Management Accountant will also work closely with cost centre owners from the South Africa to support the wider financial reporting and analysis requirements.

With regards to business-as-usual activities, the Management Accountant will prepare and post a number of journals such as accruals and prepayments, assisted by the Finance Assistant. They will then prepare a number of month-end reports and work with cost centre owners to obtain high quality commentary for the management accounts and cash flow forecasting. The role will also support the SKAO-Mid Finance & Procurement Manager in preparing the annual budgets, budget revisions, and rolling forecasts.

The Management Accountant will also be responsible for the preparation of monthly South African VAT returns, and reconciliation of any amounts which need to be written off as irrecoverable.

Additionally, the management accountant will be responsible for expense and credit card claim approvals, as well as reconciliations.

This role offers the successful candidate the chance to be involved in strategic financial planning and reporting for the organisation, alongside performing the critical daily duties of a Management Accountant.

The role is a one-year fixed-term and is based in Cape Town, South Africa.

SKAO is committed to providing an inclusive and flexible working environment, meeting the requests of our Colleagues whilst also fulfilling the needs and objectives of the Observatory.

There may be occasions where this role requires the post holder to work across different time zones and, in line with SKAO policy, flexible working hours will be supported in agreement with the line manager.

Key Responsibilities, Accountabilities and Duties

• Prepare and post month-end journals;
• Prepare and complete monthly balance sheet reconciliations;
• Prepare entity level monthly management reports for submission for consolidation by the SKAO-Mid Finance and Procurement Manager;
• Business partner cost centre managers to obtain high quality commentary for month-end variance analysis;
• Support the SKAO-Mid Finance and Procurement Manager with the preparation of annual budgets, budget revisions and rolling forecasts;
• Develop and maintain spreadsheets of long-term financial plans compared to actuals, including inflationary increases or discounting amounts back to present value and accounting for movements in foreign exchange rates, for Observatory-wide expenditure;
• Review and approve requisition orders, supplier invoices, and perform bank authorisations as required in line with the internal delegation of authority;
• Support the annual external audit and any internal audits of the finance processes;
• Support staff with tax, customs, and VAT/GST claims and queries;
• Prepare monthly South African VAT claims, and reconciliation of any amounts which need to be written off as irrecoverable;
• Support with the ongoing development and enhancement of group accounting policies, finance processes and procedures and associated documentation as required;
• Work alongside the ERP System Manager and SKAO-Mid Finance and Procurement Manager to continuously improve the ERP system finance processes and controls;
• Train finance and non-finance staff as required;
• Perform personal and credit card expense reviews in line with relevant policy;
• Travel as required; typically three times a year locally and one internationally
• Undertake any other reasonable duties, such as assisting with other business systems, as directed by the post holder’s line manager.

Mandatory Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Recognised degree and professional qualification (ACA/ACCA/CIMA/CA(SA))
• Completed articles in medium size firm
• Demonstrable experience in Finance/Accounting roles
• Experience of end-to-end management of a financial ledger including reporting to regulatory and statutory authorities.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment, proactively collaborating, consultative and sharing of resources to accomplish team objectives.
• Experience within a multi-currency ERP system environment;
• Experience with inter-company transactions;
• Knowledge of IFRS accounting standards;
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word and Powerpoint;
• Excellent written English;
• Ability to self-manage projects through to completion;
• Attention to detail and ensuring accuracy of information;
• Problem solver with ability to manage conflicting priorities and work to deadlines;
• A self-motivated team player who is flexible and adaptable to change.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Experience of remotely reporting to an international group finance function.
• Experience within a multi-currency, multi-ledger ERP system environment
• Experience of reporting to and co-ordinating activities with colleagues who are working remotely, ideally both locally and internationally.
• Experience of planning, preparation and implementation of financial process documentation related to financial management procedures

Equality Diversity and Inclusion Statement

SKA Observatory recognises that our diversity is a strength. We aim to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong, and diverse perspectives and ideas thrive. As such, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion are at the core of SKA Observatory’s agenda.

Our aim is to recruit and retain the most talented individuals, regardless of gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, nationality or background.

Women have traditionally been under-represented in the fields of science and engineering; SKA Observatory welcomes and encourages female applicants.

Where applicants with a disability need facilities or adjustments to enable them to participate in the recruitment process, these will be provided.

SKA Observatory welcome all candidates, especially those from member countries.

The “How to Apply” information contained within the SKA Observatory recruitment portal provides more detail regarding our application and selection approach.

Job Location

Cape Town, South Africa

Area / Department

Business Support

Contract Type

Fixed Term Contract

Salary

ZAR 650,000 to 750,000 Depending on experience plus excellent benefit

Closing Date

25/06/2026

Ref No

10412