Lead Accountant

Location: Rivonia (Office-Based)
Department: Finance
Reporting to: Head of Department
Job Type: Fixed Term (Maternity Cover until 30 June 2027)
Closing Date: 16/09/2026

Role Purpose

The Lead Accountant will provide senior-level oversight and management within the Finance Department during a period of maternity leave, with responsibility for overseeing key finance functions, meeting month-end and reporting deadlines, and providing guidance and direction to finance team members. The role is focused on ensuring continuity, accuracy and effective control across the assigned finance activities.

The successful candidate will have strong accounting and finance experience, with the ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and take ownership of responsibilities with limited supervision. The role requires someone comfortable reviewing work, resolving issues proactively, managing follow-ups and making sound decisions within established financial controls and processes.

This role is well suited to someone who is technically strong, organised, accountable and confident in managing people and multiple finance functions. The successful candidate should be able to quickly understand existing processes, identify what needs attention, drive outstanding matters to completion, and provide reliable oversight and support to the Finance Manager and wider finance team.

The successful candidate will have a sound understanding of bookkeeping principles, general ledger structures, reconciliations and month-end processes.

This role requires a methodical, accountable and detail-oriented individual who is comfortable working with financial data, identifying and following up on reconciling items, and taking ownership of assigned responsibilities with appropriate supervision.

The successful candidate should be able to prioritise deadlines, maintain accurate supporting schedules, identify areas requiring correction or improvement, and understand how reliable bookkeeping contributes to the effectiveness of the finance function.

The Lead Accountant will be responsible for overseeing and managing a range of finance functions. Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Oversee Accounts Payable management, including review of processing, outstanding items, supplier matters and month-end requirements.
• Manage and review bookkeeping activities and General Ledger month-end processes, including reconciliations, journals and supporting schedules.
• Oversee property management, month-end reporting and shareholder-related reviews for relevant entities.
• Oversee grocery management and sign-off processes, ensuring appropriate controls and supporting documentation are maintained.
• Manage invoicing activities and review invoicing reports, ensuring invoices are processed accurately and within agreed deadlines and processes.
• Oversee Treasury Trust management and related cash management activities.
• Provide oversight of shareholder-related accounting, reporting and administrative activities.
• Review monthly financial calculations and supporting schedules, ensuring accuracy, completeness and appropriate supporting documentation.
• Review and follow up on receipts captured by the invoicing team, ensuring completeness and accuracy.
• Provide oversight of Trust Management activities and ensure relevant accounting, reporting and administrative requirements are appropriately managed.
• Provide day-to-day guidance, direction and review to finance team members, including allocating priorities, monitoring progress and holding team members accountable for completion and quality of work.
• Support the Finance Manager with ad hoc finance matters

The successful candidate should have practical…