Client Accountant –JHB at Stonehage Fleming

OVERALL PURPOSE AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS 

• The role is as part of a team in Cape Town and Johannesburg, which reports to the Client Accounting Team Leader. It involves maintaining the accounting records of and producing timely and accurate financial statements for onshore trusts and companies, therefore requiring close and regular interaction and collaboration with team members in both Cape Town and Johannesburg, all members of the Family Office team, clients, the international accounting team and various external business contacts (including banks, SARS, 3rd party and in-house custodians and in particular accounting and tax compliance service providers).

PRINCIPAL ELEMENTS & ACCOUNTABILITIES 

• Accounts maintenance of relevant information to trial balance level as well as the preparation of financial statements Trusts & companies) 
• Maintaining entity ledgers on a regular basis ensuring 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 our clients within strict deadlines
• Liaising with the Trust Administrator and Middle Office Teams to ensure adequate supporting documents are in place for various updates in clients.
• 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 having completed SAIPA Articles (with 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

This position requires a good understanding of the following:

• Accounting knowledge and competence including IFRS for SMEs, basic understanding of trusts and investments statements, and the 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 and self-manages with a good work ethic (attitude), schedules and manages workload effectively, thinks ahead, sets plans to achieve goals
• Results orientated: Delivers work of a high standard, output is 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 

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