Bookkeeper (Remote South Africa)

Position Overview

A well-established hospitality business is seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Bookkeeper to join its team. This role is ideally suited to a mature professional with a strong accounting background, excellent organisational skills, and a meticulous approach to financial administration. This is a 3 month contract role to start with, with the potential go permanent.

The position is fully remote and requires an individual who is comfortable working independently while maintaining accurate financial records and supporting various administrative functions across the business. The ideal candidate is a seasoned bookkeeper with an old-school bookkeeping mentality, demonstrating exceptional tenacity, attention to detail, and a highly pedantic approach to accuracy. They take pride in producing error-free work, maintaining impeccable records, and ensuring all financial information is complete, compliant, and reliable.

Key Responsibilities

Bookkeeping & Accounting

• Manage the full bookkeeping function up to Trial Balance.
  
• Process and reconcile bank accounts, cashbooks, and general ledger transactions.
  
• Maintain accurate financial records and supporting documentation.
  
• Prepare monthly management reports and reconciliations.
  
• Process journals and month-end adjustments.
  
• Ensure compliance with accounting standards and company procedures.
  

Debtors & Creditors

• Manage accounts receivable and debtors collections.
  
• Issue invoices and statements.
  
• Follow up on outstanding accounts and maintain debtor age analyses.
  
• Process supplier invoices and creditor reconciliations.
  
• Ensure timely payments to suppliers.
  

Payroll & HR Administration

• Process monthly payroll accurately and on time.
  
• Maintain employee records and payroll documentation.
  
• Assist with leave administration and basic HR record-keeping.
  
• Prepare payroll reports and statutory submissions.
  

Statutory Compliance

• Manage SARS submissions, including VAT, PAYE, UIF, and EMP returns.
  
• Ensure compliance with all relevant tax and labour legislation.
  
• Liaise with external accountants, auditors, and regulatory bodies when required.
  

Reporting & Administration

• Prepare financial schedules and reports for management.
  
• Assist with budgeting and cash flow monitoring.
  
• Maintain filing systems and financial records.
  
• Support ad hoc administrative and financial projects as required.
  

Requirements

Minimum Requirements

Qualifications

• Relevant qualification in Accounting, Bookkeeping, Finance, or a related field.
  
• Additional bookkeeping or payroll certifications will be advantageous.
  

Experience

• Minimum 5 years' bookkeeping experience.
  
• Proven experience managing books up to Trial Balance.
  
• Experience with payroll administration and statutory submissions.
  
• Previous experience within hospitality, tourism, or small-to-medium-sized businesses would be advantageous.
  

Technical Skills

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills are essential.
  
• Strong working knowledge of Sage Accounting.
  
• Experience with payroll systems.
  
• Ability to prepare and analyse financial reports accurately.
  

Personal Attributes

• Mature, dependable, and highly trustworthy.
  
• Strong attention to detail with a meticulous and methodical approach to all financial processes.
  
• Tenacious and persistent in following up on outstanding matters, particularly debtors, reconciliations, and compliance requirements.
  
• Exceptionally accurate with a pedantic approach to bookkeeping, ensuring that all records are complete, correct, and fully supported by documentation.
  
• Takes pride in maintaining organised and audit-ready financial records.
  
• Strong organisational and time-management skills.
  
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
  
• Professional communication skills.
  
• Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities.
  
• High level of accountability and ownership of responsibilities.