Financial Assistant

About the job

The purpose of the Financial Assistant is to efficiently execute accounts processing, accounting and bookkeeping accuracy for the creditors’ function, whilst assisting with the debtors and month-end general ledger closure. This role leverages knowledge and experience of general ledger accounts and accounting, and journal entry processing to execute month-end procedures, accounting system alignment, meeting payment deadlines and management debtor/creditor related queries and escalations. As part of the financial team, the Financial Assistant delivers assistance to the team to deliver value through the practice of sound bookkeeping and accounting principles within the Finance Department.

What you’ll do

Accounts Payable (Creditors) and Account Receivable (Debtor):

Ensure systems alignment and timeous processing between accounting systems.

Manage accounts payable with provision of supporting documents, adhering to authorization protocols, and approval framework.

Manage, validate and reconcile staff claims and expense accounts.

Prepare and process payment schedules as per payment terms and follow-up on instructions for payment.

Manage and resolve queries and escalations pertaining to debtor or creditor accounts, providing feedback and following up on all stages of the resolution.

General Ledger activities:

Ensure system alignment with general ledger, completeness and accuracy of data, and timeous processing between accounting systems.

Execute month-end procedures, maintaining monthly expense provisions.

Execute interdivisional expense charge, including validating, reviewing, documenting, balancing, reconciling and ensuring accuracy of information on ledger and journals pertaining to profit centre allocation and monthly costs.

Ensure administrative/bookkeeping efficiency within area of function, ensuring accurate document management processes and meeting weekly and monthly deadlines.

Prepare detailed expense reports, monthly management accounts and reconciliations.

Review all marketing costs for accuracy, completeness, correct allocations.

Ensure invoices, purchase orders and accruals are processed accurately and within the correct accounting period.

Budgeting & Forecasting:

Assist with the financial administration of the Marketing Budget across all brands.

Monitor actual expenditure against approved budgets monthly.

Perform detailed monthly budget-to-actual variance analysis and investigate all significant overspend or underspend.

What you’ll bring

Diploma or Certificate in Accounting / Finance or similar – (essential).

+2 years' experience in a Bookkeeping role or similar, with experience executing creditor and/or debtor accounts processing, calculations and reconciliations – (essential).

Solid knowledge of Microsoft Office 365, with a focus on advanced Excel skills – (essential).

Exposure to and an understanding of corporate and retail-oriented environment - (desired).

Working Knowledge of SAP Finance – (desired).

Key competencies and work ethic

Proficient in Financial Accounting - Demonstrates an understanding of the recording of financial transactions, compilation of reports and interrogation of transactions, applying accounting fundamentals and principles, analysing and reconciling financial information and data, whilst understanding accounting issues and how to resolve them.

Analytical thinker - Strong analytical skills to compare trends and data while readily grasping new concepts and information, investigating various courses of action, and integrating multiple sources of data to identify optimal solutions.

Operational efficiency - Someone who can spread themselves across multiple tasks simultaneously by working smartly, efficiently, and effectively. Diligently staying on top of the details and understanding how they fit into the big picture.

Understands how retail operates and the issues and risks that drive success and impact commercial viability. Keen interest in understanding customer or retail shopper behaviour.

Results-driven and organised - Proactively drives results, sets stretch goals for self, remains focused, manages time and deadlines efficiently while working tenaciously toward meeting and exceeding expectations within quality standards.

Strong verbal, written and presentation skills - Able to communicate effectively, converting complex concepts into simple, well-articulated and compelling messages.

Able to work under pressure while managing ambiguity, adapting as the business evolves and balancing competing demands and priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Collaborative partner - Contributes to a positive team morale while working collaboratively with multiple teams and stakeholders to resolve issues and come up with solutions. Builds sound relationships both internally and externally.