Financial Accountant X3 (Fixed Term Contract) at The South African Revenue Service (SARS)

Job Purpose

• To provide accounting support by coordinating and managing accounting functions, conduct proper account reconciliations, in order 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) in Accounting AND 5-7 years' experience in a finance, accounting or similar financial environment, of which 2-3 years at a technically skilled level working at resolving financial and accounting queries and generate accounting reports.

#Alternative

• Senior Certificate (NQF 4) AND 10 years financial related experience in a finance, accounting or similar financial environment of which 2 - 3 years at a technically skilled level working at 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).

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.
• Maintain accounts by identifying, verifying and recording financial transactions.
• Monitor, verify and review outstanding information in order to pass relevant transactions where applicable according to set standard 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
• Analytical Thinking
• Attention to Detail
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Conceptual Ability
• Expertise in Context
• Fairness and Transparency
• Honesty and Integrity
• Organisational Awareness
• Problem Solving and Analysis
• Respect
• Trust

Technical competencies

• Analysis and Interpretation of Financial Statements
• Business Knowledge
• Data Collection and Analysis
• Efficiency improvement
• Financial Accounting
• Financial Acumen
• Financial Analysis and Reporting
• Financial Control
• Functional Policies and Procedures
• Reporting
• Standard operating procedure compliance