Internship: Finance (Twelve months contract) at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About the job:

The CSIR has an internship opportunity within the Assets Administration department in the Financial Services portfolio. The purpose of these internship is to provide graduates with an opportunity to gain practical work experience through performing accounting and administrative duties. This position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

• Process financial transactions under guidance and supervision to ensure the transactions are recorded accurately, and in compliance with policies, processes, guidelines, and legislation.
• Perform financial account reconciliations to identify discrepancies or items to be actioned and ensure that all transactions are recorded in the correct accounting period.
• Prepare, obtain, and attach supporting documentation for approvals before processing asset additions and journals for correct allocation and accounting.
• Follow up and resolve queries received from Divisions, clusters, portfolios, or custodians, and where required, escalate to the financial accounting officer or supervisor for action.
• Keep a record of all financial documents, e.g., journals, additions, disposals, transfers, custodian consent, recons, and proof of verifications for future reference and audit purposes.
• Follow up on the FM funding and custodianship of open orders and ensure accuracy for financial reporting and year-end accruals.
• Report on movement and clearing of asset change requests, asset disposals, and heat calls.
• Follow up and report clearing of the monthly disengagement list.
• Perform month-end and year-end processes to enable financial departments to meet deadlines and process all financial transactions before final closure, e.g., asset change requests and asset disposals.
• Physical verification of assets and scanning of QR codes at all CSIR locations.
• Follow-up visits to departments to verify, gather, and compare additional available information.
• Create a transparent audit trail of all office documents and communications to support existing fixed asset accounting records.
• Quarterly document management to ensure a ready-to-be-audited accounting trail.

Qualifications, skills, and experience:

• A three-year diploma or degree in accounting or finance.
• Good understanding and ability to implement basic accounting principles.
• Basic knowledge of VAT principles and Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to function under pressure and manage stress.
• Good office administrative and record-keeping skills.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong time management and planning skills.
• Punctuality, adaptability, and effective communication and listening skills.
• Effective and professional writing skills.
• Attention to detail and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Sound work ethic and ability to work in large teams is essential.
• Ability to be able to work remotely by being a self-starter, accountable and disciplined.

Closing date: 29 September 2023