South Africa: Accounts Receivable Conroller posted by Bright Placements

Job Title: Accounts Receivable Controller — Game Lodge / Safari Lodge (South Africa) Position Summary The Accounts Receivable Controller is responsible for overseeing and managing the full accounts receivable cycle for one or more game lodges, ensuring accurate billing, timely collection of revenue, effective revenue control, debtor management, and reconciliation of lodge financial systems. The role ensures that cash flow is maintained, revenue is accurately captured from all sources (PMS, agents, third-party bookings, vouchers), and that debtor risks are minimised in line with internal financial controls and lodge policies. Key Responsibilities Revenue Billing & Invoice Management Generate, issue, and oversee all lodge guest and third-party invoices in PMS and accounting systems. Ensure accuracy of billing across all channels (direct bookings, agents, wholesalers, corporate partners, vouchers, travel platforms). Reconcile daily revenue from PMS (e.g., Opera/Benson or similar), POS and banking systems. Debtor & Collections Management Monitor ageing reports and follow up on overdue accounts with discretion and professionalism. Maintain a detailed debtor ageing schedule and drive collection initiatives to minimise bad debt. Communicate with agents, tour operators, travel partners and clients to resolve disputes and secure timely payments. Reconciliation & Reporting Perform daily, weekly and monthly reconciliations between PMS, POS & bank statements. Prepare monthly AR and cash collection reports for the Finance Manager/Controller. Assist with month-end closing activities related to revenue, debtors and receivables. Financial Control & Compliance Ensure all AR processes comply with internal controls and audit requirements. Support internal and external audits by preparing reconciliations, schedules and documentation. Maintain accurate records of customer accounts and payment receipts. Stakeholder Engagement Liaise with lodge operations, reservations, revenue management, and front office to address billing discrepancies and resolve outstanding issues. Provide clear and timely communication on account status to internal leadership and external partners. Qualifications & Experience Education Relevant post-matric qualification in Accounting, Finance, Bookkeeping, or equivalent. A tertiary qualification (e.g., BCom / Diploma in Financial Accounting) is an advantage. Experience 2–5 years experience in accounts receivable, revenue control, debtor management or hospitality finance — preferably within hotels, lodges, or tourism industries. Experience with Property Management Systems (PMS) and POS systems used by safari lodges is highly advantageous (e.g., Opera, Benson, Lightspeed). Skills & Competencies ✔ Strong reconciliation skills (PMS, POS, banking). ✔ Excellent organisation, attention to detail and numeric accuracy. ✔ Proficiency in Excel (Pivot Tables, LOOKUPs, SUMIFS). ✔ Sound understanding of accounting principles and revenue recognition processes. ✔ Strong communication skills — professional and customer-facing. ✔ Ability to work independently and manage multiple accounts with minimal supervision. Reporting Lines Reports to: Finance Manager / Financial Controller Interfaces with: Lodge General Manager, Reservations Team, Revenue Management, Front Office, Procurement Typical Performance Indicators Timely reconciliation of revenue and debtor ledgers Reduction in debtor days and bad debt balances Accuracy of AR reporting for month-end close Quality of stakeholder and client relationships