Finance Officer at University of the Witwatersrand

Brief Description        
Key Job Functions of the successful candidate include:

• Responsible for financial administration and support to the Centre
• Procurement function (preparation of the payment requests and payroll claims, ensuring appropriate authorisations, support and documentations in compliance with University policies and procedures)
• Accountable for loading of new vendors and the subsequent day to day management of supplier interactions, including sourcing quotes, ordering, tracking of deliveries and receipting
• Accountable for fixed asset verification in compliance with University Fixed Assets Policies and Procedures, including implementation of door lists and accurate recording of information in the asset register
• Assisting with financial reporting (monthly cash flows; monthly project statements for researchers; net portfolio calculations) and audits, both for internal processes and external stakeholders/funders
• Accountable for reconciliation of petty cash and/or credit cards
• Actioning bursary or research grant payments, and invoicing and reconciliation of unspent grant funding to be reimbursed back to the Centre
• Accountable for overseeing financial processes, procedures and controls in an efficient, effective and professional manner in compliance with University policies and procedures
• Assistance with budgeting for fundraising proposals to industry/philanthrophic organisations, in conjunction with the Wits Development and Fundraising Office, for sustainability planning, as may be required by the DSI-NRF processes
• Any other tasks or activities which fall within the general functioning of the unit, as determined by the Line Manager
   

Minimum qualifications/requirements/criteria  

• A bachelor’s degree with a major in accounting or equivalent
• At least five years administrative experience in an accounting environment at bookkeeper level or above
• At least one year of direct financial administration practical knowledge on the Oracle ERP System at Wits University
• Ability to maintain a high level of accuracy in preparing and entering financial information
• Attention to detail and high level of accuracy
• Adept at using Excel, Oracle and BI
• Ability to juggle multiple priorities simultaneously and take initiative
• Have a very high level of personal and professional integrity and trustworthiness
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a variety of stakeholders (e.g. postgrad students / postdoc fellows / emerging and senior researchers / govt / industry partners, etc.)
• Strong problem solving, deductive reasoning and decision-making capabilities
• Be an innovative and creative thinker
• Ability to work under pressure, and to deadline