Key Responsibilities
In addition to the core duties provided, the role encompasses standard bookkeeping practices to ensure comprehensive financial oversight. Responsibilities include:
- Sales and Debtors Management: Processing all sales transactions (e.g., tuition fees, event payments) using accounting software; maintaining accurate debtors' records; issuing invoices and statements; following up on overdue accounts; and managing collections to minimize bad debts.
- Purchases and Creditors Management: Handling purchase transactions for school supplies, utilities, and services; maintaining creditors' records; verifying supplier invoices against purchase orders; processing payments; and negotiating terms where applicable to optimize cash flow.
- Banking and Reconciliation: Reconciling petty cash and bank statements with internal records monthly; processing bank transfers, deposits, and electronic payments; maintaining banking records; detecting and resolving discrepancies; and ensuring secure handling of financial instruments.
- School Uniform Shop Operations: Processing transactions for uniform sales; maintaining inventory records including stock levels, purchases, and sales; conducting periodic stock counts; managing supplier relationships for uniforms; and reporting on shop profitability.
- Fixed Assets Management: Recording acquisitions, disposals, and depreciations of fixed assets (e.g., furniture, equipment, vehicles); maintaining an asset register; ensuring compliance with accounting standards for capitalization and valuation; and preparing depreciation schedules.
- Accounting Journals and General Ledger: Processing adjusting journal entries; maintaining the general ledger (GL) accounts; ensuring all transactions are accurately coded and classified; and supporting month-end and year-end closings.
- Accruals, Deferrals, and Provisions: Calculating and processing accruals (e.g., unpaid expenses), deferrals (e.g., prepaid income), and provisions (e.g., for doubtful debts or warranties); ensuring these align with accrual accounting principles and tax requirements.
- Reconciliations: Performing regular reconciliations of debtors, creditors, inventory, bank accounts, fixed assets, and all GL accounts; identifying variances; investigating root causes; and implementing corrective actions to maintain financial accuracy.
- Payroll Processing: Managing payroll in the designated payroll system, including calculating salaries, deductions (e.g., PAYE, UIF), bonuses, and leave accruals; processing timesheets and overtime; ensuring compliance with labor laws; and preparing/submitting payroll reports to SARS (e.g., EMP201, EMP501 reconciliations).
Additional Duties (Expanded for Completeness)
To cover potential oversights, the role may also include:
- Assisting with budgeting and forecasting by providing financial data and variance analysis.
- Preparing financial statements, trial balances, and management reports for internal review.
- Ensuring compliance with IFRS/GAAP standards, SARS regulations, and school policies; filing tax returns and responding to audits.
- Maintaining confidentiality of financial data and implementing internal controls to prevent fraud.
- Collaborating with auditors, suppliers, and school staff on financial matters.
- Utilizing accounting software (e.g., Pastel, QuickBooks, or Sage) proficiently; performing data backups and system maintenance.
- Monitoring cash flow and advising on financial health.
- Any ad-hoc administrative tasks related to finance, such as expense tracking or grant reporting.
- Maintain and prepare financial reports by project code and other reporting dimensions.
Requirements and Qualifications
- Matric certificate; a relevant qualification (e.g., National Diploma in Accounting or Bookkeeping) is preferred.
- At least 3-5 years of bookkeeping experience, ideally in an educational or non-profit environment.
- Proficiency in payroll systems and SARS eFiling; knowledge of South African tax laws (e.g., VAT, PAYE).
- Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Excel and accounting software.
- Excellent attention to detail, numerical aptitude, and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to work independently and meet deadlines in a fast-paced school setting.
Benefits and Terms
- Full-time employment aligned to normal business hours.
- 15 annual leave days per annum.
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience (to be discussed).
- Opportunities for professional development and a supportive team environment.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit a CV, cover letter, and references to [email protected],
marked “Attention for the Principal: Bookkeeper” by 17h00, Monday, 3 November 2025.
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interviews.
Interested candidates are asked to submit a brief CV to the school by e-mailing it to
[email protected], marked “Attention for the Principal”. The closing date for submissions is 17h00,
Monday, 3 November 2025.
