Assistant Accountant

Full Day Position

The Farm Bookkeeper is responsible for overseeing the financial operations from the Head Office in Stellenbosch of the farm situated in Delmas/Heidelberg area, ensuring accurate recording of financial transactions, managing farm-specific accounts, enterprise budgets, and maintaining up-to-date financial records.

**Role and Responsibilities**:
**Record Transactions**:Accurately record all financial transactions, including income

from crop sales, livestock sales, as well as expenses for feed, equipment, fertilizer,

labor, and utilities.

**Accounts Payable/Receivable**: Manage invoicing for product sales, track payments

from buyers (e.g., grain buyers, distributors), and handle payments to suppliers (e.g.,

seed companies, machinery vendors).

**Bank Reconciliation**:Reconcile farm-related bank accounts, bank cards, and loans

on a regular basis, ensuring that all financial records are accurate and complete.

**Maintain complete accounting records**:Optimising the Xero accounting software

with supporting documentation at all times.

**Manage Purchas Orders**:This function is in conjunction with the personal assistant on

the farms. Identifying purchases exceeding PO values and report to Head of

Finance.

**Reconcile Diesel**:Allocation of diesel usage and cost from Diesel control account to

Enterprises diesel expense accounts. Monitory diesel consumption and fuel levels.

**Finance leases**:Administer accounting record keeping of new farm implements,

implements/vehicles sold, interest and instalments of finance leases. Maintain

amortization schedules.

**Payroll Processing**:Prepare salary journals.

**Farm Inventory Accounting**:Track inventory levels for feed, seed, livestock,

equipment, and supplies, ensuring accurate valuation and usage for financial

reporting.

**Tax Preparation Support**:Provide necessary documentation and financial reports to

the farm’s tax accountant to ensure accurate and timely filing of farm-specific tax

obligations like diesel rebates/ EMP201/EMP501/VAT201.

**Expense Tracking**:Maintain accurate records of operating expenses, including fuel,

machinery repairs, land maintenance, irrigation, and other farm-related costs

according to Enterprise budgets.

**Budgeting & Forecasting**:Collaborate with the farm managers to stay withing

budgets as well as monitoring budgets with the Head of Finance.

**Financial Reporting**: Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements,

including balance sheets, profit and loss statements, specific to farm operations.

Prepare reconciliations for balance sheet account entries.

**Fixed asset register**:Maintain Xero fixed asset register in conjunction with the Head

of Finance.

**Compliance with Agricultural Regulations**:Ensure that financial operations comply

with state and federal agricultural regulations and any industry-specific reporting

requirements.

**Audit Preparation**:Support any audits by maintaining organized financial records

and responding to inquiries from external auditors.

**Administrative Tasks**: Assist with administrative duties, including filing documents,

maintaining farm insurance records, and handling communication with vendors,

customers, and external stakeholders.
- **Qualifications and Education**:_

**Requirements**:

- High school diploma or equivalent required; an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field is preferred.
- 2-5 years’ experience in bookkeeping.
- At least 1 years Xero software experience.

**Preferred Skills**:

- Strong attention to detail and accuracy in financial recordkeeping.
- Knowledge of farm management and agricultural bookkeeping practices.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other accounting software.
- Strong organizational and time management skills.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to liaise with farm staff and external vendors.
- Experience in working remotely from Stellenbosch Head Office with a very supporting team on the Heidlberg and Delmas farms.

**Experience**:

- Experience in bookkeeping for agricultural operations or farms is highly desirable.
- At least 2 years’ experience in the maize/cattle farming industry.

**Job Type**: Permanent

Pay: From R25 000,00 per month

Application Question(s):

- Do you have at least one years experience in Xero software?
- Do you have experience in farm management or agricultural bookkeeping practice?

**Education**:

- Bachelors (required)

**Experience**:

- Bookkeeping: 2 years (required)

**Location**:

- Stellenbosch, Western Cape (required)

Application Deadline: 2024/12/13