Head of Projects - Accounting

Position: Head of Projects – Accounting

Location: Port Elizabeth

Requirements:

• Grade 12
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Financial Management, or a related field
• CA(SA), CIMA, ACCA, or an equivalent professional qualification would be advantageous
• Minimum of 5-8 years' relevant experience in a finance or accounting environment
• Experience working at a senior accounting, financial reporting, finance transformation, or project management level
• Strong accounting and financial reporting experience
• Experience with group or company consolidations would be beneficial but not essential
• Experience working across multiple entities or business units would be beneficial but not essential
• Experience managing finance-related projects
• Experience in financial process improvement and optimisation
• Experience with VAT and financial compliance processes
• Experience with payment reviews and financial controls
• Experience managing or coordinating external audits
• Strong understanding of internal controls and financial governance
• Experience working with senior management and executives

Responsibilities:

• Lead and coordinate finance and accounting-related projects across the Group
• Manage the integration of new business units, entities, systems and operational processes into the Group's accounting and reporting environment
• Develop project plans, timelines, deliverables and milestones for finance-related projects
• Coordinate with relevant stakeholders to ensure projects are implemented effectively and within agreed deadlines
• Identify potential risks, challenges and dependencies and implement appropriate solutions
• Monitor project progress and provide regular updates to the Group CFO
• Ensure that finance projects are aligned with Group objectives, policies and governance requirements
• Facilitate collaboration between finance, operations, IT, external service providers and other relevant stakeholders
• Identify opportunities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of finance processes
• Review, redesign and streamline existing accounting and financial reporting processes
• Drive automation initiatives within the finance function to reduce manual processing and improve accuracy
• Review existing workflows and identify opportunities to eliminate duplication, inefficiencies and unnecessary manual intervention
• Develop and implement improved financial reporting processes
• Improve consolidation procedures and reporting timelines
• Assist with the implementation and optimisation of finance systems and reporting tools
• Support finance transformation initiatives that strengthen the overall finance function
• Establish and maintain appropriate process documentation and standard operating procedures
• Assist with the consolidation of Group financial information and Group accounts
• Enhance and improve the existing Group consolidation process
• Review consolidation workings and identify opportunities for improved accuracy and efficiency
• Assist in ensuring that Group financial information is complete, accurate and submitted within required reporting deadlines
• Support the preparation of Group financial reports and management information
• Investigate and resolve consolidation discrepancies and accounting queries
• Work closely with finance teams across the Group entities to ensure consistent reporting practices
• Assist with the implementation and maintenance of appropriate Group reporting standards and procedures
• Review VAT payments loaded for accuracy and completeness prior to submission and payment
• Ensure VAT-related information is supported by appropriate documentation
• Liaise with relevant finance teams and external advisors regarding VAT queries where required
• Identify discrepancies or potential risks and ensure these are addressed promptly
• Support the Group CFO and finance team with other tax-related projects and requirements where required
• Coordinate Group banking and finance administration activities
• Assist with the opening, closing and administration of bank accounts where required
• Coordinate FICA submissions and related banking requirements
• Ensure that required documentation is accurate, complete and submitted within required timelines
• Coordinate the obtaining of director and stakeholder approvals and signatures for relevant finance and administrative activities
• Liaise with banking institutions and other financial service providers where required
• Maintain appropriate records of banking documentation and approvals
• Ensure banking administration complies with Group policies and governance requirements
• Facilitate communication between auditors, the Group CFO and relevant finance teams
• Assist with resolving audit queries and accounting matters where required
• Identify recurring audit issues and recommend improvements to prevent future occurrences
• Assist with ensuring a smooth and efficient annual audit process
• Support initiatives aimed at strengthening financial governance and internal controls
• Review finance processes to identify control weaknesses and potential financial risks
• Recommend and implement appropriate control improvements
• Prepare and coordinate financial reports and analysis as required by the Group CFO
• Assist with management reporting and ad hoc financial analysis