Financial Accountant – Finance Department - Johannesburg, South Africa at Bowmans (Law Firm)

Purpose:                                                                                                                        

• Supports the Financial Manager and Bowmans Group with the interpretation, review, oversight and reporting of financial data, and verifying validity, completeness and accuracy of financial records in line with the Firm policies and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)

Experience and Qualifications:

• BCom Accounting with completed articles. Honours degree, CTA, or postgraduate qualification in Accounting or Financial Management is advantageous.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in financial reporting, cost and management accounting, or a similar role within a professional services or multinational environment.
• Strong working knowledge of IFRS and financial systems.
• Proficiency in financial reporting, budgeting, and analysis.
• Advanced Excel and accounting software experience.

Key Activities:

Accounting Cycles:

• Adhere to Bowmans’ month-end timetable to ensure timely and accurate financial reporting.
• Capture all accounts payable, receivable, and bank transactions to maintain complete and accurate records.
• Review trial balances, income statements, accruals, and prepayment schedules.
• Maintain fixed asset registers and support periodic asset counts.
• Prepare and review month-end journals and payments for various offices.
• Collaborate with Africa financial managers to ensure consistency in accounting treatment and internal controls.

Management Accounts:

• Prepare monthly management packs (income statement, balance sheet, variance analysis).
• Review financial performance and resolve exceptions with regional financial managers.
• Compile and submit monthly commentary, cash flow forecasts, and liquidity assessments.
• Support quarterly management account submissions to banks.

Annual Financial Budget:

• Coordinate the preparation of annual budgets across Africa, including income, operating expenses, payroll, and cash flow.
• Review prior year budgets, attend review sessions, and prepare summary reports for presentation to management.
• Update budget forecasts with actuals as results become available.

External Audit:

• Participate in audit planning and coordinate audit deliverables with regional offices.
• Prepare reconciliations, schedules, and supporting documentation.
• Address audit queries and ensure completion within agreed timelines.
• Assist in drafting financial statements compliant with IFRS.

Reporting & Reconciliations:

• Prepare and maintain monthly intercompany balance reports.
• Present reconciliation results to the Africa Finance Manager.
• Monitor and escalate intercompany imbalances and ensure timely clean-up.
• Review and approve balance sheet reconciliations from regional offices.

Internal Controls & Taxation:

• Ensure consistent application of internal controls and IFRS across all Africa offices.
• Review statutory tax compliance (VAT, Corporate Tax, PAYE, SDL).
• Support group transfer pricing documentation and liaise with regulators.

Integration & Support:

• Support the onboarding and setup of new Bowmans offices across Africa.
• Train newly appointed accountants and ensure alignment with firm-wide financial processes.
• Review and release payments as required.

Competencies:

• Attention to Detail
• Problem Solving
• Interactive Communication
• Business Perspective
• Planning & Organizing
• Technology Proficiency
• Financial Budgeting, Planning and Reporting
• Financial Policy Development, Interpretation and Application
• Legislation, Policies, Procedures and Standards
• Using Information Technology