Manager Fleet and Capex Accounting at South African Airways (SAA)

Company: South African Airways (SAA)

Visit Website

Industry: Aviation / Airline

Posted: Sep 5, 2025

Deadline: Sep 10, 2025

Job Type: Full Time

Qualification: Bachelors

Experience: 5 – 7 years

Location: Gauteng

City:

Field: Finance / Accounting / Audit

Reference Number    
SAA250818-2

Job Purpose    

The role is responsible for safeguarding the assets relating to aircraft ownership and leases and accounting for leased assets (particularly aircraft) in terms of IFRS 16. The role includes providing accurate estimates of expected aircraft operating costs, reporting on the efficiency of lease management, and ensuring owned and leased aircraft are properly valued, considering any impairments required in terms of International Financial Reporting Standards. It also involves ensuring all liabilities relating to aircraft ownership and leases are disclosed and accounted for, and that aircraft maintenance costs are correctly recorded.
Additional responsibilities include accounting for maintenance reserves related to leased aircraft and any associated security deposits, as well as treasury transactions such as long-term loans,  and hedging activities (fuel and forex). The role contributes to route planning by providing input into the profitability of current or future routes and supports fleet management by assisting in the planning of maintenance events to minimize costs for leased and owned aircraft.
Furthermore, the role oversees the control, reporting, and budgeting of the SAA Group’s capital expenditure, and maintains the SAA Group fixed asset register along with the recording and accounting of any fixed asset transactions.

Principal Accountabilities    

Ensure all liabilities relating to aircraft maintenance such as return conditions and other lease liabilities are accurately calculated and recorded
Continuously engage with the relevant subsidiary financial controllers regarding maintenance issues
Accounting for lease assets and liabilities in terms of IFRS 16
Accounting for external currency denominated and South African Rand denominated loans
Accounting for maintenance reserves and security deposits
Analysis of fuel costs
Analysis of maintenance costs to ensure they are correctly accounted for
Accounting for Fuel and Foreign Exchange and other derivative instrument transactions when required
The design and alignment of policies and procedures across the relevant work streams in area of accountability
Monitor and enforce adherence to all relevant legislation
Facilitate and maintain effective, amicable and professional relationships with various stakeholders and service providers through appropriate relationship building, networking and reporting activities
Clearing of general ledger accounts within area of responsibility and adhering to proper “housekeeping” in terms of accounting best practice
Scrutinise and follow up on any abnormalities in general ledger accounts within area of responsibility
Drives and supports people development initiatives
Manages and implements change initiatives with the vision and strategic direction of the Airline
Oversight of Capital expenditure processes which include:
Manage and control the capital expenditure budget
Maintain the group fixed asset and impairment register
Reconcile of all related balance sheet and income statement accounts with the fixed asset register for all companies and subsidiaries
Prepare and report monthly on the fixed assets including consolidation of various entities up to the final group consolidation
Extensive support and reporting to internal and external auditors in the financial year-end audit to ensure that the annual audit is effectively performed as well as ensure that audit findings are resolved and corrective actions are implemented
Sound liaison with internal and external auditors
Monitor and track capital work in progress
Capitalization of completed Capital Expenditure projects and analysis of any capital work in progress
Setting, maintaining and reporting on rates of depreciation
Performance of monthly depreciation calculation and prepare monthly and annual report of fixed assets, depreciation
Processing of asset transfers between departments or subsidiaries
Monthly calculation of profit and loss on disposal of assets for the various stages of consolidation
Control of physical verification of all fixed assets
Preparations of statutory reports

Qualifications & Experience    

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting at NQF level 7
Qualified Chartered Accountant SA(CA) registered with SAICA
At least 5-7 years’ experience in a financial accounting environment of which 3 years is in a management level
Experience and knowledge of the aviation industry and exposure to fleet and maintenance accounting/fixed asset accounting will be an advantage
Exposure to financial reporting, particularly International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as relates to assets, maintenance costs and leases

Knowledge and Skills    

Knowledge of IFRS, Companies Act, PFMA & relevant legislation
Accounting principles and procedures
Good knowledge of standard costing systems and principles
Understanding of Capital Expenditure projects
Computer literate (MS Office and advanced Excel, SAP FI, TM1)
Good interpersonal skills
Excellent communication skills (verbal & written)
Ability to perform under pressure and meet deadlines
Analytical
Strong numeric skills
Attention to detail
Strong problem-solution skills
Innovative
Good administrative, planning and organising skills
Reliable and team player
Confidentiality and accountability

Attributes    

Leads with purpose
Manages output of indirect reports
Drives innovation
Role models behaviours and values
Organisational resilience
Commercial and financial acumen
Building alliances
Results focus and self-driven
Judgement and decision making
Analytical thinking
Proactive
Assertive

Click here to apply