Senior Bookkeeper

Position Overview

We are looking for a detail-driven and experienced Bookkeeper to join our finance team in a growing manufacturing company. The ideal candidate will take responsibility for core accounting processes while also supporting basic costing and monthly reporting functions. Youll be supported by a junior intern and two clerks, and report directly to the Financial Manager.

While the position is primarily focused on processing and reconciliation work, there is room for growth into higher-value responsibilities like management pack preparation, cost monitoring, and audit readiness.

Key Responsibilities

Core Processing & Bookkeeping

• Full function cash book and bank reconciliations
• Daily and weekly cash flow updates and exception reporting
• Creditors: Oversee reconciliations, process supplier payments (local and foreign), resolve queries
• Debtors: Review customer statements, ensure accurate allocations, follow up on overdue accounts
• Monthly Journals: Prepare provisions, accruals, depreciation, and intercompany adjustments
• Maintain employee, creditor, and debtor masterfiles

Payroll & Compliance Support

• Prepare and process monthly and weekly payrolls, review payslips and reports from SimplePay.
• Process payroll journals, prepare EMP201 and EMP501.
• Prepare and submit monthly VAT submissions, preparing accurate supporting schedules from the accounting system

Inventory & Costing Support

• Capture production, scrap, and rejects into the accounting system
• Reconcile inventory records with stock-on-hand
• Assist with monthly stock count preparation and variance investigation
• Maintain fixed asset register and calculate depreciation monthly
• Prepare annual insurance updates based on verified fixed asset registers

Reporting & Month-End Close

• Assist with management account preparation (e.g., compiling schedules, first-draft commentary)
• Ensure timely month-end close and balance sheet reconciliations
• Support annual audit preparation and liaise with auditors for required documents

Group Company Support

• Process accounting for small group entities: bank, creditors, trial balance, and monthly reports
• Submit VAT and other statutory returns for related companies

Requirements

Qualifications

• NQF Level 6 Diploma in Accounting/Commerce or BCom (Accounting)
• Completed articles or exposure to audit prep beneficial

Experience

• 5+ years of full-function bookkeeping experience (including trial balance)
• Experience in a manufacturing or stock-based environment preferred
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, detail-heavy finance department

Systems & Technical Skills

• Pastel Partner (essential)
• Sage One and Xero Accounting (highly advantageous)
• Intermediate to Advanced MS Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, formatting)
• SARS eFiling, VAT201 and EMP201 experience

Personal Attributes

• Reliable and deadline-oriented
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Independent worker who can also guide junior staff
• Committed to maintaining clean reconciliations and audit readiness
• Willing to grow into a more analytical role over time

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to take ownership of the day-to-day accounting engine room of a manufacturing business with strong growth potential, while developing into broader costing and reporting responsibilities. If you are diligent, detail-oriented, and hands-on, this role will provide both stability and challenge.

Location:

This position is office-based in Port Elizabeth.

Availability: One calendar month noticeReporting To: Financial ManagerTeam Structure: Working with one Junior Bookkeeper (intern) and two Debtors/Creditors Clerks

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: R25 000,00 - R30 000,00 per month

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape 6011: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Application Question(s):

• Have you worked in a manufacturing, stock-based, or inventory-driven environment?
• Which accounting systems are you proficient in? (Select all that apply)

1. Pastel Partner2. Xero3. QuickBooks4. Sage One5. SAP6. None of the above

• What is your level of proficiency in Microsoft Excel?

1. Basic (data entry only)2. Intermediate (VLOOKUP, pivot tables, formatting)3. Advanced (formulas, macros, dashboards)

• Have you prepared and submitted SARS returns (VAT201 or EMP201)?
• What is your current or most recent salary (CTC)?
• What is your notice period or earliest available start date?
• Have you previously supported junior staff or worked as part of a finance team?
• What makes you a good fit for this specific bookkeeping role in a manufacturing environment?
• What attracted you to this opportunity and why do you see yourself staying here long term?
• Do you hold an NQF Level 6 Diploma or higher in Accounting, Commerce, or a related field?

Education:

• Diploma (Required)

Experience:

• Bookkeeping: 5 years (Required)

Language:

• Afrikaans (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Application Deadline: 2025/06/06Expected Start Date: 2025/07/01

Information :

• Company : Trek Plastics (Pty) Ltd
• Position : Senior Bookkeeper
• Location : Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape
• Country : ZA