Accountant

Our client is a multidisciplinary financial and technology advisory business supporting owner-led organisations across accounting, financial advisory, technology, fintech and investment.

The business takes a practical, hands-on approach to client service. Rather than operating as a traditional accounting practice where individuals are limited to one narrow area, the team works closely with clients across accounting, reporting, compliance, systems and operational finance.

The East London office includes accountants, bookkeepers, payroll support, financial advisers and administrative staff, supported by broader specialist capability across the group.

The Role

Our client is looking for an experienced Accountant who can work across the full accounting lifecycle and take ownership of a portfolio of client requirements.

This is not a pure bookkeeping or processing position.

The successful candidate will be responsible for reviewing accounting work, preparing and reviewing financial statements, supporting SARS and statutory matters, assisting with management reporting and providing technical guidance to the wider accounting team.

You will also work directly with clients and may be involved in onboarding new businesses, understanding their accounting requirements, improving financial processes and supporting accounting or ERP system changes.

This role is ideally suited to someone who has completed accounting articles and developed broad exposure within a small or mid-sized accounting practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and compile annual financial statements.
• Review financial statements for accuracy and completeness.
• Review bookkeeping and accounting work completed by junior team members.
• Assess the integrity and accuracy of underlying financial data.
• Provide guidance on complex accounting treatments and transactions.
• Prepare and review management accounts.
• Liaise directly with clients regarding accounting and financial matters.
• Communicate with SARS and assist with SARS-related queries.
• Support VAT, income tax, PAYE and EMP-related requirements.
• Assist with SARS dispute-resolution matters where required.
• Support payroll and statutory compliance processes.
• Assist with Workmen's Compensation / Compensation Fund matters where required.
• Participate in onboarding new clients and defining accounting requirements.
• Support accounting-system and ERP migrations.
• Review data before and after system migrations to ensure accuracy.
• Identify financial, accounting and data-integrity issues.
• Manage multiple client deadlines simultaneously.
• Work closely with bookkeepers, accountants, financial advisers and senior stakeholders.

Minimum Requirements

• Relevant accounting or finance qualification.
• Completed accounting articles highly preferred.
• Strong practical accounting experience.
• Experience preparing annual financial statements.
• Experience reviewing bookkeeping and accounting records.
• Working knowledge of VAT, income tax, PAYE and EMP requirements.
• Practical experience communicating with SARS.
• Good understanding of payroll processes.
• Experience working with multiple clients simultaneously.
• Strong understanding of accounting systems and financial data.
• Ability to work independently and manage deadlines.

Advantageous Experience

• Draftworx experience.
• Experience within a small or mid-sized accounting practice.
• Accounting or finance-system implementation experience.
• ERP migration experience.
• Experience dealing with SARS disputes.
• Exposure to logistics, transport or construction clients.
• Postgraduate accounting studies.
• Completed articles without current CA(SA) registration.

CA(SA) registration is not required.

The business is more interested in the breadth of your practical accounting experience, technical ability and ability to take ownership than in designation alone.

The Ideal Candidate

You will perform well in this environment if you are:

• Technically strong and comfortable solving accounting problems.
• Able to work across different accounting functions rather than specialising in only one area.
• Self-managed and comfortable working without micromanagement.
• Highly accountable for deadlines and quality.
• Able to work with urgency when required.
• Confident communicating directly with clients.
• Comfortable providing guidance to other accountants and bookkeepers.
• Organised enough to manage several clients and competing priorities.
• Curious about how businesses and accounting systems operate.
• Discreet and highly respectful of client confidentiality.
• Collaborative and comfortable working within a non-hierarchical team.

Working Environment

The business operates a flexible, output-driven working environment.

The East London office is generally open from 08:00 to 16:00, but the focus is on delivering quality work rather than rigid timekeeping.

Team members who consistently meet client commitments and deadlines are trusted to manage their responsibilities with a high degree of independence.

At times, important client deadlines may require additional effort. At other times, the business provides flexibility around working hours.

The expectation is simple: take ownership, communicate clearly and deliver what you commit to.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This role offers significantly broader exposure than many traditional accounting positions.

You will have the opportunity to work across:

• Financial statements
• Management accounts
• SARS and statutory compliance
• Payroll
• Client advisory
• Accounting systems
• ERP migrations
• Process improvement
• Client onboarding

For an accountant who wants to develop broader commercial experience, work closely with clients and operate in an environment built around trust and accountability, this is an opportunity to build a significantly more rounded career.

Apply now if you are looking for an accounting role where your judgement, technical ability and ability to get things done genuinely matter.