Senior Financial Accountant

Main Purpose

The Senior Financial Accountant is responsible for the accuracy and completeness of Vumatel's monthly management accounts, statutory financial statements, and tax computations. Reporting to the Financial Manager, this role is the primary preparer of all financial reporting outputs, from the general ledger and AFS schedules through to cash flow statements, provisions, and Board pack finance inputs. Beyond statutory reporting, the Senior Reporting Accountant is expected to bring strong analytical capability and curiosity: building dashboards, conducting deep financial analysis, and translating data into actionable insights. The ideal candidate is technically rigorous, commercially curious, and highly proficient in data visualisation tools and AI.

ACCOUNTABILITIES & RESPONSIBILITIES (KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS & TASKS)

General Ledger & Management Accounts

• Prepare management accounts monthly, including full P&L, balance sheet, and supporting schedules.
• Prepare AFS schedules and supporting notes for the annual financial statements.
• Prepare financial reports for subsidiary entities within the Vumatel group.
• Ensure accurate accounting treatment for all corporate actions and Group structural changes.
• Prepare and process month-end journals; ensure all entries are supported and submitted within the agreed cut-off.
• Prepare provisions and accruals schedules monthly; ensure completeness and reasonableness before FM review.

Tax

• Ensure accurate tax accounting in the general ledger; identify and correct timing or classification differences.
• Prepare income tax and deferred tax computations; maintain supporting workpapers.
• Prepare STT and dividend tax calculations as required.
• Identify potential reportable arrangements and flag to the Financial Manager timeously.

Cash Flow & Solvency

• Prepare the cash flow statement for inclusion in the management accounts monthly.
• Prepare working capital analysis as required.
• Prepare solvency and liquidity schedules in accordance with the Companies Act; maintain covenant compliance workings for FM review.

Financial Analysis & Dashboards

• Build and maintain dashboards that surface key financial metrics, trends, variances and early warning reporting for management consumption.
• Develop advanced Excel models for scenario analysis, variance analysis, and ad hoc financial investigations.
• Provide historical financial data and trend analysis as inputs to FP&A scenario models and Board reporting.
• Conduct deep-dive analysis on cost lines, revenue streams, and balance sheet movements as requested by the management.
• Design and maintain reporting templates that improve the speed, accuracy, and visual clarity of finance outputs.
• Translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insights for non-finance stakeholders.

Budgeting & Forecasting

• Coordinate and consolidate departmental budget submissions during the annual budget cycle; load approved budgets into the ERP system.
• Build and maintain rolling forecast models; update forecasts monthly based on actuals and management inputs.
• Prepare variance analysis (actuals vs budget vs forecast) at cost-centre level; identify drivers and escalate material variances to the Financial Manager.
• Support the Financial Manager in preparing the annual budget pack and board-approved financial plan.
• Maintain budget templates and ensure consistency of structure, assumptions, and allocation methodology across departments.
• Provide scenario modelling and sensitivity analysis to support management decisions during re-forecast cycles.

Month-End Close

• Prepare all assigned month end journals and schedules within the agreed close timeline.
• Submit all workpapers and reconciliations to the Financial Manager for review before the stated deadline.
• Resolve review queries.
• Maintain a clean balance sheet, all reconciling items must be investigated and resolved within the period.

Board & Executive Reporting

• Prepare the underlying financial data tables and schedules that populate the Board pack Finance section.
• Ensure all Board pack inputs are submitted to the Financial Manager by the stated cut-off date.
• Support the development of executive dashboards and visual reporting outputs using data visualisation tools and AI.

Compliance, Audit & Controls

• Support the internal and external audit process; prepare audit files and respond to auditor queries accurately and timeously.
• Track internal audit findings assigned to the reporting function; escalate overdue remediation items to the Financial Manager.
• Ensure all accounting treatments comply with IFRS and Group accounting policies.

Competencies and Minimum Requirements:

Qualifications and experience:

Qualifications

• CA(SA), CIMA, or equivalent accounting qualification (e.g. BCom Honours with SAICA or SAIPA articles) - essential.

• Completed articles at a recognised audit firm or equivalent structured training contract is advantageous.

Experience

• Minimum 1–3 years post-articles or post-qualification experience in a financial reporting or management accounting role.

• Demonstrated experience preparing management accounts, AFS schedules, and supporting notes.

• Solid working knowledge of income tax and deferred tax.

• Experience supporting or owning budget and forecast cycles, including monthly variance reporting.

• Advanced Excel proficiency and financial modelling.

• Demonstrated report/dashboard building - essential.

• Exposure to ERP systems (SAP, Sage, or equivalent) preferred.

• Telecommunications or infrastructure industry experience advantageous but not essential.