Financial Accountant X2 at The South African Revenue Service (SARS)

Job Purpose

• To provide accounting support by coordinating and managing accounting functions, conduct proper account reconciliations, to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of the accounting practices in SARS.

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualification & Experience Required

• Relevant Bachelor’s Degree / Advanced Diploma (NQF 7) AND 5-7 years’ experience in a Finance, Accounting or similar environment, of which 2-3 years at a technically skilled level ie resolving financial and accounting queries and generate accounting reports.

#Alternative

• Senior Certificate (NQF 4) with 10 years related experience in Finance and accounting, of which 2 - 3 years at a technically skilled level ie resolving financial and accounting queries and generate accounting reports
• Note: The alternative qualifications and experience refer to the internal minimum requirements (internal staff of SARS).

Minimum Functions Required

• Maintain financial records (tax returns and assessments, payments, interest and penalties, journals and refunds) within the sub ledger and report on exceptions.
• Performs independent reconciliations and can investigate and resolve routine and more complex discrepancies. Provide guidance to others.
• Ability to analyse sub-ledger accounts/ transactional listings/ Statement of Account and identify discrepancies and misalignment with other systems/ 3rd party information, analyse and formulate solutions.
• Monitor the system and accounts to identify defects, and ensuring the fixes are properly tested and implemented

Job Outputs:

Process

• Continuously ensure accurate communication to relevant SARS offices on discrepancies and errors in order to advise on how to ensure the accurate adjustment of said matters.
• Develop and maintain regular reports via the applicable SARS accounting system.
• Execute specialist input through investigation and opportunities within the product process including risk concern.
• Monitor, verify and review outstanding information in order to pass relevant transactions where applicable according to set standards in order to ensure accuracy and prevent fraudulent activities.
• Accumulate information to review work progress that provides input to reporting, decision making and the identification of improvement opportunities.
• Apply practical and applied knowledge and act authoritatively on methods, systems and procedures to identify trends and potential risks.
• Communication of situational interpretation and judgement of work outputs and queries in area of specialisation.
• Correctly apply policies, practices, standards, procedures and legislation in the delivery of work outputs.
• Draw on own knowledge and experience to diagnose symptoms, causes and possible effects in order to solve emerging problems
• Initiate process and procedural change, implement the change and provide guidelines and support related to new requirements as a result of the change.
• Plan for value-added process improvements, initiatives and services to deliver on operational strategy and objectives.
• Provide specialist input through the investigation of opportunities for operational and process, product and risk optimisation.

Governance

• Comply with organisational internal control and governance standards accounting standards and tax legislation
• Implement and provide input into the development of governance, compliance, integrity and ethics processes within area of specialisation.

People

• Develop and maintain productive working relationships with peers and team members to achieve predefined objectives.
• Search for, integrate and share new knowledge attained through formal and informal learning opportunities in the execution of your job.

Finance

• Adhere to organisational policies and procedures to ensure cost effectiveness and reduction of financial costs.

Client

• Contribute to a culture of service excellence, which builds positive relationships and provides opportunity for feedback and exceptional service.
• Provide authoritative, specialist services, expertise and advice to internal and external stakeholders.

Behavioural competencies

• Accountability (V)
• Analytical Thinking
• Attention to Detail
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Conceptual Ability
• Conceptual Competence
• Expertise in Context
• Fairness and Transparency
• Honesty and Integrity
• Organisational Awareness
• Respect
• Trust
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills
• Integrated thinking

Technical competencies

• Analysis and Interpretation of Financial Statements
• Business Knowledge
• Data Collection and Analysis
• Efficiency improvement
• Financial Analysis and Reporting
• Functional Policies and Procedures
• Reconciling Financial Records
• Reporting
• Proficiency in SAP and Excel
• Understanding of accounting principles and standards
• Understanding of regulatory compliance and tax legislation