Junior Accountant | Durban

A leading international trading, distribution and logistics business within the chemicals industry is seeking a Junior Accountant to support the full spectrum of day-to-day financial operations. The successful candidate will play an important role in maintaining accurate financial records, strong financial controls and timely reporting.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage full-cycle accounting transactions and maintain the General Ledger.

• Prepare and process journals, invoices, payments, receipts and accounting adjustments.

• Manage Accounts Receivable, including invoicing, allocations, reconciliations, collections and credit control.

• Manage Accounts Payable, including invoice verification, processing, reconciliations and supplier queries.

• Perform daily, weekly and monthly bank reconciliations and support cash flow and payment planning.

• Maintain inventory accounting records, including inventory reconciliations, costing and impairment assessments.

• Prepare monthly management accounts, balance sheet reconciliations and variance analysis.

• Assist with month-end and year-end close, including accruals, prepayments, provisions and journals.

• Assist with budgeting and forecasting.

• Prepare VAT calculations and statutory compliance schedules.

• Support internal and external audit requirements.

• Ensure compliance with accounting standards, policies and internal controls.

• Identify discrepancies, investigate issues and escalate control weaknesses or compliance risks.

• Maintain accurate accounting data within the ERP/accounting system.

• Support finance process improvements, automation and system enhancements.

• Work closely with Finance, Procurement, Operations and Commercial teams, as well as customers, suppliers and auditors.

Key Requirements:

• Diploma or Degree in Accounting, Finance or a related field.

• 3–5 years’ experience in bookkeeping/accounting.

• Experience in full-cycle accounting and management reporting.

• Practical experience across:

  • Accounts Receivable

  • Accounts Payable

  • General Ledger

  • Bank and balance sheet reconciliations

  • Month-end processes

  • VAT/statutory compliance

• Strong understanding of financial accounting and bookkeeping principles.

• Good knowledge of AR, AP, Treasury and General Ledger accounting.

• Understanding of inventory accounting and costing.

• Knowledge of VAT and statutory compliance.

• Strong understanding of month-end close and financial reporting.

• Strong knowledge of internal financial controls.

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.

• Experience with ERP/accounting systems such as SAP, Business Central, Sage, Pastel or similar.

Advantageous Experience

• Experience as the sole finance resource within a business unit.

• Experience within trading, distribution, wholesale, logistics, supply chain or chemicals.

• Exposure to finance process improvement, automation or system implementation.

• Experience in a multinational or multi-entity environment.

This is an excellent opportunity for a detail-oriented and driven accounting professional to join a dynamic international business and gain broad exposure across the full finance function. The successful candidate will be a hands-on team player who takes ownership, works accurately and efficiently, and is eager to contribute to the continued improvement of the finance operation.