Western Cape: Bookkeeper posted by Manpower Group

• Record financial transactions, including purchases, and payments, in the general ledger.
• Process accounts payable and receivable, ensuring timely invoice payments and collections.
• Perform bank reconciliations to ensure accuracy of financial records.
• Maintain accurate and organized records of all financial transactions for retail stores.
• Prepare basic financial reports, such as expense summaries and transaction logs.
• Ensure compliance with internal financial policies and procedures.
• Update and maintain financial databases and filing systems.
• Verify and process expense reimbursements and petty cash transactions.
• Capture supplier and rental invoices.
• Perform supplier reconciliations and handle related queries.
• Conduct rental reconciliations.
• Execute debtors reconciliations.
• Prepare month-end journals (prepayments, accruals, provisions).
• Perform manual bank uploads per store, as FNB profiles do not permit automatic uploads to Sage.
• Process and allocate cash book entries.
• Track cash handling and bank charges.
• Track telephone fixed costs.
• Manage CashPOS payments report, including reallocation of incorrect store allocations, queries, follow-ups, and confirmation of AODs for recovery.
• Conduct income statement variance analysis and provide commentary for stores.
• Perform general ledger reconciliations.
• Assist with balance sheet reconciliations.
• Manage vehicle logbook allocations.
• Handle recovery billings (motor vehicles, salaries, and warehouse recharges).
• Perform petty cash reconciliation for warehouses.

ADHOC RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Follow up on valid tax invoices for fixed assets.
• Conduct legacy supplier reconciliations.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS AND DUTIES:

• Process vendor invoices and ensure timely payments within approved limits.
• Prepare schedules for monthly and annual financial closings.
• Verify accuracy of financial data and correct errors in transaction records.
• Respond to basic inquiries from vendors or internal staff regarding payments.

DECISIONS THE PERSON CAN MAKE ALONE:

• Processing routine financial transactions, such as invoice payments within set limits.
• Correcting minor data entry errors in the accounting system.
• Organizing and maintaining financial records and filing systems.
• Preparing standard transaction reports for review by the Accountant.

DECISIONS REQUIRRING SUPERVISOR INTERVENTION:

• Approval of payments exceeding predefined financial thresholds.
• Adjustments to financial records requiring accounting policy changes.
• Resolution of significant discrepancies in reconciliations.
• Responses to audit related queries.
• Changes to vendor payment terms.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

• No direct supervisory responsibility.
• May provide informal guidance to administrative or clerical staff assisting with financial data entry.

REQUIRED EMPLOYEE CHARACTERISTICS:

• High attention to detail and accuracy in handling financial data.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple transactions and deadlines.
• Integrity and trustworthiness in handling sensitive financial information.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced retail environment.
• Dependability and commitment to meeting deadlines.
• Team-oriented mindset to support the finance department’s goals.

PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS NEEDED:

• Ability to identify and correct minor errors in financial data entry.
• Basic analytical skills to reconcile discrepancies in bank statements or POS records.
• Practical problem-solving to address issues in transaction processing.
• Capability to troubleshoot system errors in accounting software.
• Resourcefulness in organizing and retrieving financial records efficiently.

HAZARDS OF THE ROLE:

• Risk of errors in data entry, which could affect financial reporting accuracy.
• Pressure to meet tight deadlines during month-end or year-end closings.
• Exposure to sensitive financial data, increasing the risk of cybersecurity threats.
• Potential stress from managing high volumes of transactions across multiple stores.
• Repetitive tasks that may lead to fatigue or reduced focus if not managed properly.

MINIMUM YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience: Minimum of 2-4 years of bookkeeping or related financial administration experience, preferably in retail or multi-unit operations.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Diploma or certificate in Bookkeeping, Accounting, or a related field (essential).
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance (advantageous but not mandatory).
• Completion of a recognized bookkeeping course (e.g., ICB or equivalent) (preferred).
• Soft and Technical Skills Needed

SOFT SKILLS:

• Effective communication to interact with vendors and internal staff.
• Time management to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
• Teamwork to collaborate with the Accountant and other finance staff.
• Attention to detail to ensure accuracy in financial records.

TECHNICAL SKILLS:

• Proficiency in bookkeeping software (e.g., QuickBooks, Pastel, or Xero).
• Basic knowledge of accounting principles and practices.
• Competence in Microsoft Excel (e.g., basic formulas, data entry).
• Familiarity with POS systems and retail transaction processing.
• Understanding of basic tax and compliance requirements.
• Ability to work with financial databases and ERP systems.

PLEASE NOTE ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED.