Financial Budget Analyst at South African National Parks (SANParks)

Requirements

• Be in possession of a National Diploma in Accounting or a related field.
• A Bachelor’s degree will be an advantage.
• Have 3-5 years of relevant experience.
• Have a hands-on experience with budgeting, financial forecasting, and variance analysis.
• Have exposure to financial systems (e.g., Great Plains) and ERP software.
• Having experience working within a public sector environment is a plus, especially handling compliance with public financial regulations like PFMA.
• Computer literacy.
• Analyse information and provide advice to management.
• Management and planning skills to coordinate the budgetary exercises.
• Planning and organising.
• Report writing.
• Presentation skills.
• Computer skills.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Project management.
• Problem solving.
• Advanced Excel.
• Strong analytical skills with a high level of accuracy in monitoring budgets and financial transactions.
• Provides a forecast based on the current, historical, and other factors affecting performance against the budget of the organisation.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Advanced skills in Excel and experience with financial software/ERP systems for data tracking and reporting.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for preparing reports and liaising with divisional managers and other stakeholders.
• Effective at identifying discrepancies, cost overruns, and process inefficiencies with actionable recommendations.
• Public Sector Finance: In-depth understanding of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and National Treasury regulations.
• Financial Principles: Comprehensive knowledge of budgeting, forecasting, financial modelling, and variance analysis.
• Reporting Standards: Familiarity with financial reporting frameworks (e.g., GRAP)
• Working knowledge of ERP systems (e.g., Great Plains).

Responsibilities

• Assists in the development, consolidation, and coordination of annual budgets for the head office and all national parks.
• Monitor and track budget allocations per division, ensuring adherence to the approved budget.
• Provide financial guidance to divisional/departmental managers on budget preparation and financial forecasting.
• Conduct financial analysis to assess budget performance, identify trends, and highlight potential risks.
• Prepare detailed monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports for management and stakeholders.
• Generate financial insights to support decision-making and cost efficiency.
• Oversee and track expenditure across all divisions, ensuring it aligns with the approved budget.
• Identify areas of over-expenditure or under-utilisation and recommend corrective actions.
• Work closely with divisional managers to ensure they do not exceed the allocated budget.
• Captures budget movements accurately.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction, revenue optimisation, and financial efficiencies.
• Drafting of policies, guidelines and SOPs.
• Enhance financial control mechanisms for operational expenses.
• Implement and improve financial reporting systems for real-time budget tracking across all of SANParks.
• Ensure compliance with SANParks’ financial policies, National Treasury regulations, and the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).
• Support internal and external audits by providing accurate financial data and explanations.
• Identify financial risks related to budget management and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Compliance reporting and other reporting to the National Treasury and the DFFE.

Closing Date

• 25 June 2025