Brackenfell: Trade Accountant

Finance Department Location: Bottelary Road, Koelenhof, Stellenbosch Reports to: Senior Trade Accountant About the role An international commodity trading business is seeking a skilled Trade Accountant to support front, middle, and back-office functions through accurate accounting, reconciliation, and reporting of commodity trading transactions. The role plays a critical part in ensuring trade P&L accuracy, inventory valuation, and compliance across international markets. This is a commercially exposed role, working closely with traders, operations, and external stakeholders in a fast-paced, transaction-driven environment. Key responsibilities Record and reconcile physical and derivative commodity trades in the trading and ERP systems. Prepare monthly trade P&L per trading strategy and reconcile trader P&L to accounting records. Investigate and resolve P&L, pricing, and timing variances. Ensure accurate booking and accounting of purchase and sales contracts. Reconcile freight, insurance, demurrage, and other trade-related costs. Monitor open contracts and ensure timely recognition of revenue and costs. Perform inventory accounting and reconciliations, including silo, warehoused, and in-transit stock. Support month-end and year-end close processes. Prepare balance sheet reconciliations related to trading activities. Assist with external audits and provide supporting documentation. Ensure compliance with IFRS / US GAAP, internal policies, and control frameworks. Maintain strong internal controls and segregation of duties. Contribute to system improvements, automation initiatives, and process optimisation. Requirements Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or a related field. 2–5 years’ experience in trade accounting within a commodity trading, energy, or shipping environment. Strong understanding of the physical commodity trading lifecycle. Proven experience with trade P&L reporting and balance sheet reconciliations. Advanced Excel skills. Ability to work accurately under pressure in a deadline-driven environment. Strong communication skills and ability to engage with traders, operations, and external parties. Curious, self-starting, and commercially minded. Advantageous experience Knowledge of derivatives and hedging instruments. Experience in a multi-currency, multi-entity environment. Exposure to ERP systems (PeopleSoft or similar). Power BI or process automation exposure. Culture and values The organisation values respect, accountability, passion, collaboration, excellence, agility, and integrity. You’ll be joining a professional, high-performance team that values ownership, transparency, and continuous improvement.