Bookkeeper & Accounts Specialist

Role Overview

We are looking for a meticulous, commercially aware Bookkeeper & Accounts Specialist to join our on-site team in Cape Town. This is a pivotal role in our finance function, responsible for the day-to-day management of our accounts, multi-currency billing operations, and full-cycle bookkeeping across our international and local client portfolios.

The successful candidate will work closely with our existing payroll function (managed in PaySpace) and will need a thorough understanding of the complete accounting process – from transaction capture through to month-end reporting. While you will not own payroll processing, you must be confident reading, reconciling, and interpreting payroll outputs as part of the broader financial picture.

In addition to the finance function, this role owns all company secretarial and statutory compliance responsibilities – including CIPC filings, statutory registers, and regulatory good standing across our entities.

Key Responsibilities

Bookkeeping & Accounts

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date books of account in Xero, including chart of accounts management, journal entries, and reconciliations
• Perform monthly bank reconciliations across ZAR, GBP, USD, and EUR accounts
• Manage accounts payable and receivable, ensuring timely processing and follow-up
• Prepare and review month-end and year-end close processes in conjunction with our accountants
• Maintain fixed asset registers and depreciation schedules

Billing & Client Invoicing

• Own the end-to-end billing cycle for all client accounts across GBP, USD, EUR, and ZAR portfolios
• Generate, review, and issue invoices accurately and on time, in line with contracted commercial terms
• Track billable hours, headcount changes, and rate adjustments across client campaigns
• Resolve billing queries and discrepancies with clients in a professional and timely manner
• Maintain billing schedules, rate cards, and client-specific invoicing rules

Multi-Currency & Foreign Accounts

• Process and record transactions in multiple currencies, applying correct exchange rates and accounting treatment
• Monitor foreign exchange movements and flag material variances to management
• Reconcile intercompany balances and manage cross-border payment schedules
• Ensure compliance with applicable foreign exchange and transfer pricing considerations

Payroll Liaison & Reporting

• Review finalised payroll reports from PaySpace, reconcile against headcount and billing data, and post payroll journals in Xero
• Understand and interrogate payroll outputs including statutory deductions, leave liability, and employer costs
• Assist in preparing management accounts, cost centre reports, and ad hoc financial analysis

Excel & Data Management

• Build and maintain Excel-based financial models, reporting templates, and billing trackers using advanced formulas (INDEX/MATCH, XLOOKUP, array formulas, dynamic named ranges, PivotTables, Power Query)
• Automate repetitive reconciliation and reporting tasks using Excel, reducing manual error and processing time
• Maintain structured data integrity across all financial spreadsheets and internal tools

Company Compliance & Secretarial

• Act as the Company Statutory Secretary, maintaining statutory records and ensuring the company meets all obligations under the Companies Act 71 of 2008
• File annual returns and manage company registration details with the CIPC, ensuring deadlines are met without exception
• Maintain and update statutory registers including the register of directors, members, beneficial owners (CIPC BO Register), and share register where applicable
• Prepare and circulate notices, agendas, and minutes for directors’ meetings and other statutory meetings
• Manage company documentation including the Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI), certificates of incorporation, and resolutions
• Liaise with the company’s auditors, accountants, and legal advisors as required for statutory filings and compliance matters
• Ensure the company maintains good standing with the CIPC, SARS, and any applicable regulatory or licensing bodies
• Monitor and maintain a compliance calendar covering all statutory, tax, and regulatory deadlines
• Support changes in directorship, entity amendments, or new entity onboarding as required

Requirements

Qualifications

• Diploma or Degree in Accounting, Bookkeeping, Finance, or a related field (e.g. ICB, AAT, CIMA part-qualified, or similar)
• Xero Advisor Certification is advantageous

Experience

• 3–5 years of hands-on bookkeeping or accounting experience in a commercial environment
• Demonstrated experience managing billing across multiple clients or revenue streams
• Prior exposure to multi-currency accounting (GBP, USD, EUR) is essential
• BPO, staffing, or professional services experience is a strong advantage
• Prior exposure to company secretarial duties or statutory compliance in a South African (Pty) Ltd context is highly advantageous

Technical Skills

• Proficient in Xero – including bank feeds, invoicing, reconciliation, and reporting modules
• Strong working knowledge of PaySpace or comparable payroll systems (read and reconcile level, not necessarily process)
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills – complex formulas, PivotTables, Power Query, and data validation
• Comfortable working with foreign currency accounts and cross-border billing processes
• Working knowledge of South African VAT, PAYE, and relevant SARS compliance requirements
• Familiarity with the Companies Act 71 of 2008 and CIPC processes, including annual returns, beneficial ownership filings, and statutory register maintenance

Personal Attributes

• Exceptional attention to detail – errors in billing or reconciliation have direct commercial impact and this is non-negotiable
• Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and billing cycles simultaneously
• Proactive and self-sufficient, able to own tasks from initiation through to resolution
• Discreet and professional when handling sensitive financial and client data
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, particularly for client-facing billing queries
• Comfortable in a fast-paced BPO environment where priorities can shift quickly

Advantageous (Not Essential)

• Experience with Zoho Analytics, Zoho Books, or similar reporting tools
• Exposure to UK VAT (Making Tax Digital) or US sales tax considerations
• Familiarity with BPO billing models, including seat-based, headcount, or per-transaction pricing structures
• Basic understanding of foreign exchange hedging or treasury management

Benefits

What We Offer

• A stable, permanent role in a growing international BPO with a track record of long-term client relationships
• On-site role in Wynberg, Cape Town – a collaborative, team-oriented work environment
• Direct exposure to multi-currency, multi-jurisdiction finance in a commercial setting
• Competitive market-related salary based on experience
• Opportunity to grow your role as the business scales