Head of Department: Outsourced Accounting

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Zeal HR (Pty) Ltd

Head of Department: Outsourced Accounting

A growing small-to-medium-sized audit and accounting practice in Benoni, Johannesburg is seeking

an experienced Head of Department: Outsourced Accounting to lead and oversee a team of

accountants and ensure the delivery of high-quality, commercially relevant accounting and

management reporting services to clients. The successful candidate will combine strong technical

accounting and financial reporting skills with effective people management, client relationship

management and operational oversight. They must be able to work across a diverse range of

businesses and apply sound commercial judgement to each client’s circumstances.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage, mentor and oversee the outsourced accounting team, including coaching and

developing team members

• Review and oversee monthly accounting processing performed by the team, ensuring

accuracy, completeness and appropriate accounting treatment

• Thoroughly review monthly accounting files and raise review notes where clarification,

correction or further investigation is required

• Review and analyse monthly management accounts prepared for clients and ensure that

reports are relevant, accurate and useful for decision-making

• Meet with clients to discuss management accounts, business performance, key financial

trends and areas requiring attention

• Respond to and resolve client queries efficiently and professionally

• Manage competing priorities efficiently and professionally. effectively, balancing staff

management, technical reviews, deadlines and client requirements

• Ensure all outsourced accounting clients receive their annual financial statements within a

maximum of six months after financial year-end

• Monitor client profitability and financial performance for provisional tax purposes and

identify matters requiring attention

• Assist clients with the preparation of financing packs and other financial information

required by lenders and financial institutions

• Oversee and assist with FICA-related reporting and compliance requirements where

applicable

• Travel locally, as well as to other provinces when required, to meet with and check in on

clients and maintain strong client relationships

• Make responsible and effective use of technology and automation to improve efficiency,

turnaround times and service delivery

• Ensure the accounting team consistently delivers a professional, efficient and value-adding

service to clients

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Zeal HR (Pty) Ltd [email protected] www.zealhr.co.za Registration No: 2016 / 370236 / 07 Directors: C. Greeff

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum 3 years’ post-article experience (SAICA) in a financial reporting environment

• Strong experience in the preparation and review of management accounts and annual

financial statements

• Proven experience supervising, reviewing and coaching accounting staff

• Strong communication and client-facing skills

• Solid technical accounting and financial reporting knowledge

• Working knowledge of, and strong practical skills in, Pastel Partner, QuickBooks and Xero are

essential

• Experience with other accounting, reporting, workflow or practice management software will

be considered beneficial

• Ability to manage multiple clients, deadlines and priorities effectively

• Willingness and ability to travel locally and occasionally to other provinces as required

• A strong team player who enjoys working collaboratively and developing others

• A self-starter who takes ownership of their responsibilities and does not require extensive

oversight or day-to-day supervision

• Highly detail-oriented, with a fine eye for detail and a strong commitment to quality

• Able to apply their technical knowledge and professional judgement to a wide variety of

businesses and industries

• Comfortable managing staff simultaneously, deadlines and multiple client portfolios

• Confident and professional when dealing directly with clients and able to handle client

queries with ease

• Commercially minded, with the ability to interpret financial information and identify issues,

trends and opportunities

• Technologically capable and willing to use appropriate technology responsibly to improve

efficiency without compromising professional judgement or quality

• Proactive, organised and capable of working independently while still contributing positively

to the broader team

• Comfortable reporting directly to the partners of the practice and taking responsibility for

the performance and delivery of the outsourced accounting department