Faculty Accountant - Department of Finance

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE

FACULTY ACCOUNTANT

PEROMNES POST LEVEL 6

In pursuit of the ideals of excellence and diversity, the University of Pretoria wishes to invite applications for the following vacancy. The University of Pretoria's commitment to quality makes us one of the top research Universities in the country and gives us a competitive advantage in international science and technology development.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The incumbent will be responsible for the following:

• Supporting the Manager: Faculty Accountants in achieving all financial and service targets:
  • Assisting the Faculty Accountant Manager in completing the required progress reports and performance analysis on a bi-monthly basis;
  • Complying with all legislation, regulations and national policy directives applicable to the Department of Finance;
  • Complying with the Department of Finance risk management plan and identify and manage risks and communicate to the relevant line manager;
• Performing financial and administrative control over the utilisation of funds in the faculty:
  • Supporting the Faculty/Support Service with controlling budget spending;
  • Reviewing cost centres for overspending and irregularities;
  • Monitoring and resolving budget exceptions on invoices with inadequate funds;
  • Following-up on overspent cost centres with Cost Centre Managers/HOD's;
• Identifying risk areas in the Faculty/Support Service:
  • Identifying trends that will influence the critical business of the Faculty/Support Service;
  • Monitoring compliance in the Faculty/Support Service to all Finance regulations and policies;
  • Initiating policy adjustments in collaboration with the Manager: Faculty Accountant Manager through the appropriate channels;
• Preparing accurate and timely financial management/audit reports:
  • Compiling detailed management reports for submission to Dean/Faculty Manager;
  • Co-ordinating year-end close in Faculty/Support Service including the monitoring of over-spending, reconciling of advance reports, closing of requisitions and purchase orders, and analysing of cost centres for completeness of allocations;
  • Reporting on external funds based on requirements of the respective grant contract, sponsorships and/or donation conditions;
  • Preparing ad hoc financial analysis;
• Ensuring effective and balanced annual budgeting support to faculties:
  • Assisting with management information for budget submissions regarding personnel, operational and capital budgets;
  • Providing general support in the Faculty/Support Service with regards to the budgeting process;
  • Allocating approved budget and capturing of detailed operational budget on the financial system;
• Supporting with purchasing, T&E, debtor and asset management on the PeopleSoft Financial system:
  • Daily review of all approved purchases on the financial system regarding source of funding, expense allocation and adequacy of supporting documentation;
  • Reviewing of external fund transactions to ensure compliance with all respective grant contract, sponsorships and/or donation conditions;
  • Daily approval of financial transactions as per the Financial Policies and Procedures;
  • Co-ordinating and managing processes to settle outstanding advances for Faculty/Support Service;
  • Providing training and assistance to Faculty/Support Service staff with regard to processing transactions in the PeopleSoft Financial System;
  • Reviewing and approving submissions for access to the financial system and to cost centres;
  • Creating new cost centres/projects in the Faculty/Support Service;
• Ad-hoc administration tasks:
  • Testing new developments on PeopleSoft;
  • Verifying cost centre owners and monitoring of internal delegations in terms of University policy;
  • Maintaining cost centres in Faculty/Support Service: identifying dormant and inactive cost centres, ensuring zero balance on inactive cost centres, etc.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• B Com degree with Accounting III;
• Five years' applicable senior financial accounting experience.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES (SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES):

• Knowledge of the following:
  • Application of IFRS standards;
  • Relevant South African tax legislation;
  • Management reporting;
  • Accounting business cycles;
  • Budgeting;
• Proficient in the use MS Office;
• Advanced competency in MS Excel;
• Appropriate business writing and communication skills;
• Accountability for own performance;
• Commitment to delivering value to clients;
• Ability to plan and prioritise tasks.

ADDED ADVANTAGES AND PREFERENCES:

• Honours degree in Financial Management or Accounting;
• Three years' working experience in a university environment;
• Three years' working experience in the use of PeopleSoft or equivalent ERP system;
• Accredited with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants.

PLEASE NOTE: All shortlisted candidates may be required to participate in relevant skills assessments as part of the selection process.

The annual remuneration package will be commensurate with the incumbent's level of appointment, as determined by UP policy guidelines. UP subscribes to the BESTMED and UMVUZO medical aid schemes and contributes 50% of the applicable monthly premium.

In applying for this post, please attach:

• A comprehensive CV;
• Names, e-mail addresses and telephone details of three referees whom we have permission to contact.

CLOSING DATE: 30 May 2019

No application will be considered after the closing date, or if it does not comply with at least the minimum requirements.

ENQUIRIES: Ms Hermy van der Westhuizen, Tel: (012) 420 4028

Should you not hear from the University of Pretoria by 31 August 2019, please accept that your application has been unsuccessful.

The University of Pretoria is committed to equality, employment equity and diversity. In accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets, preference may be given, but is not limited to candidates from under-represented designated groups. All candidates who comply with the requirements for appointment are invited to apply. All candidates agree to undergo verification of personal credentials. The University of Pretoria reserves the right to not fill the advertised positions.