Finance Officer

A leading organisation in the education sector is seeking a skilled Finance Officer to join its Finance and Operations team. This pivotal role reports directly to the Financial Manager and will be responsible for end-to-end accounts receivable management, credit control, cash flow monitoring, and general ledger maintenance. The position requires exceptional attention to detail, strong financial acumen, and the ability to work collaboratively across departments to support both business and compliance objectives.
Benefits

Responsibilities

1. Accounts Receivable Management

• Manage full accounts receivable process, ensuring timely collection and allocation of payments.

• Allocate daily cash receipts and submit signed-off schedules to Customer Services/Customer Relationship Manager (CRM).

• Review overdue accounts monthly and recommend account holds in collaboration with CRM.

• Ensure accurate and timely invoicing with the Customer Service team.

• Sign off weekly credit notes issued by CRM.

• Distribute monthly customer statements after AR close.

• Follow up on overdue accounts to reduce bad debt risk.

• Identify and manage high-risk accounts with CRM.

• Reconcile customer accounts and prepare aged debtor reports.

• Maintain accurate real-time updates of customer accounts.

• Capture customer feedback in Cash Manager and provide monthly reports to CRM and FM.

• Ensure record keeping complies with internal protocols and POPIA.

2. Credit Control

• Conduct credit risk assessments for new and existing customers.

• Recommend credit limits for approval and communicate decisions to CRM.

• Issue letters of demand according to AR procedures.

• Assess accounts monthly for potential ITC listings.

• Monitor delinquent accounts and escalate high-risk cases for senior review.

3. Cash Management

• Set and monitor collection targets aligned with cash flow goals.

• Submit weekly/monthly collection forecasts.

• Manage debtor days to optimise working capital.

• Review debtor refund requests and ensure supporting documents are in place before payment processing.

4. General Ledger & Reporting

• Perform and submit balance sheet reconciliations.

• Post monthly journals.

• Reconcile bank statements with ledger accounts.

• Prepare monthly AR and credit note reports.

• Provide ad hoc finance support as needed.

5. Audit Preparation & Support

• Collate AR documentation samples in collaboration with Customer Service and CRM.

• Prepare annual Expected Credit Loss (ECL) documentation.

• Act as liaison for finance-related audit queries.

Requirements 

• Diploma in Finance, Accounting, or related field.

• 2–3 years’ experience in a generalist finance role, including accounts receivable and credit control.

• Strong understanding of financial principles and accounting software (Pastel experience required).

• Proficient in Excel, PowerPoint, and spreadsheet reporting (Advanced Excel advantageous).

• Excellent analytical, organisational, and communication skills.

• Ability to communicate effectively across all levels of the organisation.

• Fluent in isiXhosa or Zulu.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

• Knowledge and understanding of POPIA compliance.

Benefits