Assistant Financial Accountant at Rhodes University

Main Objectives

• To extract and provide supporting schedules and information for the completion of the University’s annual financial statements, prepare financial statements for University-related projects, and complete statistical returns for the SA Reserve Bank and others. 
• To provide a service with regard to budget preparation and budget variance investigation for the Finance Division. Maintaining the general ledger system, thereby ensuring the integrity of data and the quality of financial reporting. 
• To provide effective & efficient accounting/administration and control measures in accordance with the University’s policies and procedures.
• This includes Fixed Asset administration and Inventory accounting, various VAT and other SARS-related returns administration forms, and participation in month-end and year-end procedures, including internal and external audit requirements. 
• The Financial Accounting Unit is within the Finance Division and operates within a sub-structure where its sub-units report to the Senior Manager: Financial Control

The Requirements

• A relevant bachelor’s degree or Advanced Diploma (NQF 7) in Financial Accounting or Auditing plus approximately 6 years of experience in financial accounting and reporting, where such experience includes: -
• Experience preparing financial statements, reconciliations, and audit working papers.
• Budget preparation and variance analysis, including investigative follow-up.
• Experience maintaining General Ledger structures and account coding.
• Working knowledge of the VAT Act and its application, and Experience in preparing VAT schedules, reconciliations, and dealing with SARS rulings.
• Experience coordinating external audits and managing audit documentation.
• Advanced computer literacy, especially in accounting systems and Excel.
• Experience with inventory and fixed asset accounting, including depreciation processes.
• A minimum of 2 years of supervisory experience
• Exposure to statutory reporting for DHET, SARB, and Statistics South Africa, and familiarity with restricted vs unrestricted fund accounting in a university context will be an added advantage.
• A thorough understanding and experience of VAT as it applies to Higher Education Institutions will be an advantage

Closing Date 26 September 2025