Client Accountant

Client Accountant Stonehage Fleming Overview and Working Relationships The role is part of a team in Cape Town and Johannesburg, reporting to the Client Accounting Team Leader. It involves maintaining the accounting records of onshore trusts and companies, and producing timely and accurate financial statements. The role requires close collaboration with team members in Cape Town and Johannesburg, members of the Family Office team, clients, the international accounting team, and external contacts such as banks, SARS, custodians, and tax compliance service providers. Principal Elements & Accountabilities Accounts maintenance of relevant information to trial balance level and preparation of financial statements for trusts & companies. Maintaining entity ledgers on a regular basis to ensure they are up‑to‑date. Systematic filing and information gathering of client agreements with third parties to identify actions required, such as issuing invoices. Work with relationship managers to gather relevant information to allow the team to prepare financial reports, tax and other statutory returns for clients within strict deadlines. Liaise with the Trust Administrator and Middle Office Teams to ensure adequate supporting documents are in place for various client updates. Provision of relevant reports for client reporting purposes, including client meeting preparation. Provision of reporting for local and international tax purposes. Manage and maintain the tax compliance of allocated clients (Individuals, Trusts & Companies) by ensuring all tax affairs are accurate, up‑to‑date and adhere to relevant legislation. Qualifications and Experience BCom Accounting graduate with completed SAIPA Articles (Professional exam passed). Practical experience within the financial services environment in a similar role, with exposure to local trust and company structures. Experience in a deadline‑driven environment. Registered tax Practitioner or able to complete the SARS readiness program during the interview process. Skills Accounting knowledge and competence including IFRS for SMEs, basic understanding of trust and investment statements, and interpretation of financial statements. Technical experience in Caseware, Xero and Microsoft Office. Exceptional communication skills. Ability to manage expectations and competing priorities. Competencies and Behaviours Energetic: Self‑motivated, self‑manages with a good work ethic, schedules and manages workload effectively, thinks ahead, and sets plans to achieve goals. Results oriented: Delivers work of a high standard, accurate and error‑free; owns delegated tasks and pays attention to detail, takes prompt action and sees tasks through to completion. Resourceful problem solver: Considers the wider consequences of each decision, gathers and analyses information to find creative solutions. Team player: Supports and works towards team goals, shares information, is helpful and cooperative, works effectively with people outside the immediate team. Efficient and effective communicator: Communicates clearly and concisely with clients and colleagues of all levels, listens effectively, has well‑presented written communication and the ability to deal with sophisticated clients. Client focused: Understands and satisfies client needs at all times, takes full responsibility and accountability for all client matters including delegated tasks. This job description is a guide to the principal current duties of the job. It does not form part of the contract of employment. Seniority level Entry level Employment type Contract Job function Finance and Sales Salary R to R per annum Location Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa #J-18808-Ljbffr