Director: Management Accounting (P5) (Financial Governance & Control Division: Department of Management Accounting) at University of Johannesburg

Job Specification: Responsibilities

• UJ is keen to interview a dynamic, strategically minded individual with the ability to lead and further develop the Management Accounting unit. The primary responsibility of the Director: Management Accounting is to lead the unit, which resides within the Financial Governance and Control Division, within the Finance portfolio. This unit is regarded as a center of excellence, responsible for institutional management accounting activities which include compilation, monitoring and reporting activities associated with the University’s budgeting process, ensuring financial sustainability, managing the financial management support relating to external funding, business case viability and project management. Financial management extends to the University’s subsidiaries and Utilities management.
• Attributes associated with leadership at senior management level are critical to this role such as analytical and critical thinking, problem solving, relationship management, implementing appropriate oversight and instillation of controls. Improve financial management support maturity to facilitate attainment of strategic objectives.

Assist the Executive Director: Financial Governance and Control to:

• Manage and implement financial policies and procedures, ensuring that these are monitored and reviewed regularly having considered operational, legislative and regulatory developments.
• Coordinate and further entrench the institutional budget process as well as spending alignment thereto towards the achievement of annual goals.
• Institute controls and risk management within the Management Accounting environment
• Represents Management Accounting on University committees and project teams
• Ensure data integrity within Management Accounting environment
• Provide financial management support and serve as a consultative resource within the Division as a center of excellence
• Produce reports or presentations required of the role
• Manage staff and provide support and training embedding a culture where staff take ownership and are accountable for provision of financial management support, ensuring successful financial business partnering
• Develop and oversee unit specific project management and schedule goals, procurement and contractual requirements, personnel assignments and capacity planning.
• Take charge of the unit’s input to strategic planning and reporting including the annual performance plan and annual audit
• Implement action plans associated with audits performed to ensure audit recommendations are implemented and evaluated for effectiveness.
• Assist with ad hoc requests.
• Maintain up-to-date professional skills and knowledge regarding financial management practices within the profession and the sector.

Minimum requirements

• Registration with SAICA as a Chartered Accountant or registration with CIMA as CGMA
• Financial Management Postgraduate qualification and/or advanced technical or professional certification (NQF 8)
• Five (5) to eight (8) years' experience within financial environment (management accounting preference)
• Comprehension and ability across key financial management components, including IFRS requirements.
• Extensive and demonstrable managerial experience.
• Management of medium to large staff contingent.
• Budgeting experience
• Experience in project management

Competencies and Behavioural Attributes:

• Strong financial analysis and financial planning skills
• Good business acumen
• Business and management principles and processes within the specific environment
• Intermediate to advance application of Microsoft Office, specifically, advanced formulas, pivot tables and charts within Excel.
• Familiarity with forecasting methods and data analysis
• Excellent numeracy skills
• Pay attention to detail at work
• Knowledge and keeping abreast of accounting principles, best practice processes and applicable laws and regulations
• Ability to explain budgeting and financial information in plain terms
• Be able to use critical thinking to create financial forecasts and make budgeting decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to work well in a complex environment and be committed to using his/her expertise to advance the University’s mission and priorities.
• Ability to work independently towards the accomplishment of agreed upon goals for the position, displaying good planning and organisational skills
• Ability to assimilate a large amount of data, organise the data in a user-friendly fashion, provide ready access to this data for those who need access to it, and ensure the data is reviewed/updated as required
• Ability to exercise judgement in providing management accounting support
• Excellent verbal and written communication and computer skills
• Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative fashion and to successfully manage conflicts leading to positive outcomes within the resources available.
• Ability of functioning strategically and operationally (“hands-on” approach when required), making quick and effective decisions
• Delegate duties to others
• Take accountability
• Proven ability to monitor and assess performance of self and other individuals to make improvements or take corrective actions.
• Ability to maintain effective relationships with a wide constituent group of University employees, students, external funders, other universities, and the public, including resolution of queries.

Apply by: 27 February 2026