SAIPA Qualified Accountant

Based on De Jongh Accounting’s website and recent recruitment information, I’d position this as a client-facing SAIPA Accountant rather than simply a compliance accountant. The firm focuses primarily on small-to-medium businesses across different industries and offers accounting, tax, advisory, payroll, company secretarial/compliance and trust-related services. Their accounting offering includes financial statements, management reporting, bank reconciliations, cash flow, profitability and debtor/supplier management. (dejonghacc.co.za)

SAIPA Qualified Accountant

Location: Somerset West, Western Cape
Industry: Accounting & Professional Services
Employment Type: Full-time

About the Role

A well-established accounting practice in Somerset West is looking for a SAIPA Qualified Accountant to join its professional team.

This role would suit an experienced accountant who enjoys working closely with clients and wants more than a purely transactional accounting position. The successful candidate will manage a portfolio of small to medium-sized businesses, providing accurate accounting, tax and financial reporting while helping clients understand their numbers and make informed business decisions.

The role offers exposure to a broad range of accounting and advisory functions, including financial statements, management reporting, VAT and tax compliance, payroll, reconciliations, cash flow and general business support. The firm's approach places strong emphasis on personal service, client relationships and practical financial advice. (dejonghacc.co.za)

Key Responsibilities

Accounting & Financial Reporting

• Manage accounting functions for a portfolio of SME clients across various industries.
• Prepare and review monthly management accounts and financial reports.
• Prepare annual financial statements in accordance with applicable accounting standards.
• Perform and review bank, balance sheet and other financial reconciliations.
• Analyse financial information and identify discrepancies, trends and areas requiring attention.
• Assist clients in understanding their financial performance and position.

Tax & SARS Compliance

• Prepare and submit VAT returns and other relevant statutory returns.
• Prepare provisional and annual income tax calculations and returns.
• Assist with PAYE and other employee tax requirements.
• Review SARS assessments and assist with tax queries and related correspondence.
• Assist clients with tax planning and general tax-related matters. (dejonghacc.co.za)

Management Accounting & Advisory

• Prepare management reports to support client decision-making.
• Assist with cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting.
• Monitor profitability and identify opportunities for improved financial performance.
• Provide practical financial insight and advice to clients.
• Assist business owners in understanding their numbers and identifying potential problem areas.

Client Portfolio Management

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients.
• Communicate directly with clients regarding accounting, tax and financial matters.
• Attend client meetings and provide financial information and guidance.
• Manage deadlines and ensure client deliverables are completed accurately and on time.
• Proactively identify issues and communicate solutions to clients.

Payroll & Statutory Support

• Assist with payroll processing and review where required.
• Support EMP201, UIF, SDL and related payroll compliance.
• Assist with CIPC annual returns and company secretarial requirements.
• Assist with company registrations, amendments and other statutory submissions. (dejonghacc.co.za)

Systems & Process Improvement

• Work with accounting and payroll platforms such as Xero, Sage/Pastel and QuickBooks.
• Utilise technology to improve accounting processes and reporting.
• Maintain accurate and well-organised client records.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and service delivery.

Minimum Requirements

• SAIPA Professional Accountant (PA(SA)) qualification.
• BCom Accounting or relevant accounting qualification.
• Minimum 2–4 years' relevant post-articles experience preferred.
• Strong practical knowledge of:
  • Financial statements
  • Management accounting
  • VAT
  • Income tax
  • Payroll
  • SARS compliance
  • Financial reconciliations
• Experience working with SME clients would be advantageous.
• Experience with Xero, Pastel/Sage and/or QuickBooks advantageous.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills.
• Valid driver's licence and own transport would be advantageous.

Key Competencies

• Strong technical accounting ability.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple clients and competing deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability.
• Good understanding of the commercial needs of SME business owners.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Professional and confident client-facing manner.
• Proactive approach to identifying and resolving problems.
• Ability to explain financial information in a clear and understandable way.
• High level of integrity, confidentiality and accountability.
• A genuine interest in helping clients improve their businesses, rather than simply completing compliance tasks.

What Makes This Role Attractive?

This is an opportunity to join a family-owned, locally established accounting practice that has been operating in Somerset West since 2010 and specialises in providing personal, ongoing financial support to small and medium-sized businesses. (dejonghacc.co.za)

The successful candidate will gain exposure to a broad range of accounting, tax, advisory and compliance work, rather than being restricted to one narrow accounting function. The firm's service offering includes everything from monthly accounting and financial statements to tax, payroll, cash flow, profitability, debtor and supplier management and business advisory support. (dejonghacc.co.za)

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is someone who can move beyond “processing the numbers” and become a trusted financial partner to clients.

You should enjoy asking:

“What are the numbers telling us, and what should the client do about it?”

That combination of technical accounting competence, commercial thinking and genuine client service is likely to make someone particularly successful in the role.