Senior State Accountant Vacancy 2026: Finance WTE
Senior State Accountant Vacancy 2026
Finance professionals with experience in accounts payable, accruals and public-sector financial management may be interested in the Senior State Accountant position advertised under Finance WTE. The post is based at the Pretoria Head Office and offers an annual salary of R413 001 at Salary Level 08.
The position falls within Financial Management Services, under the Financial Accounting Directorate and Accounts Payable subdirectorate. It focuses on supplier account reconciliations, invoice management, VAT returns, payment monitoring and financial reporting.
The successful candidate will also support financial compliance, respond to audit requests and supervise employees. Applicants should therefore have practical accounting experience, a sound understanding of government financial requirements and the ability to manage financial records accurately.
Vacancy Overview
Position: Senior State Accountant
Reference number: 131126/19
Branch: Finance WTE
Chief Directorate: Financial Management Services
Directorate: Financial Accounting
Subdirectorate: Accounts Payable
Salary: R413 001 per annum
Salary level: Level 08
Location: Pretoria Head Office
About the Senior State Accountant Role
Accounts payable is an important part of financial management because it helps an organisation keep accurate records of money owed to suppliers. It also supports timely payments, reliable financial reporting and compliance with applicable financial rules.
In this role, the Senior State Accountant will work with supplier accounts and financial transactions. The responsibilities include reconciling vendor accounts, investigating outstanding invoices and monitoring payments to suppliers within the required timeframes.
The position also involves preparing VAT reconciliations and submitting monthly VAT returns to the South African Revenue Service (SARS). The successful candidate will need to understand how accounting records, supporting documents and financial systems contribute to accurate reporting.
Because the role includes authorisation responsibilities and employee supervision, it requires sound judgement, attention to detail and the ability to follow departmental procedures.
Minimum Qualifications and Work Experience
Applicants should meet the educational and experience requirements specified in the vacancy information.
- A National Diploma in Financial Management or a related field.
- Three to four years of experience in accruals and accounts payable.
- At least two years of experience as a State Accountant or in a similar position.
The experience requirements indicate that this is not an entry-level accounting opportunity. Candidates should be able to demonstrate practical experience with supplier accounts, accruals and financial administration.
Knowledge and Technical Skills Required
The advertised position requires knowledge of public-sector financial management, accounting procedures and government financial systems. Applicants should be familiar with the following areas:
- Financial legislation, policies, practices and procedures.
- Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).
- Treasury Regulations and relevant government regulations.
- Generally Recognised Accounting Practice (GRAP).
- Accruals accounting and its practical application.
- Government financial systems, including SAP and BAS.
- Administrative and clerical procedures and systems.
- Departmental policies and procedures.
- Learning and teaching procedures and techniques.
- Value-Added Tax Act 89 of 1991, as amended.
- Framework for Managing Programme Performance Information.
- Computer literacy, including MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook.
The successful candidate should also demonstrate proactive problem-solving skills, creativity and the ability to work under pressure. These qualities are important when dealing with supplier queries, investigating differences in financial records and meeting reporting deadlines.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
The Senior State Accountant will perform several accounting and financial administration functions within the Accounts Payable subdirectorate.
1. Vendor Account Reconciliations
The successful candidate will perform vendor reconciliations for key accounts and the top 150 vendors. This work involves comparing supplier statements with internal financial records to identify differences and ensure that account information remains accurate.
Where discrepancies arise, the candidate will need to investigate the relevant transactions and follow the appropriate procedures to resolve them.
2. Following Up Outstanding Invoices
The role includes following up long-outstanding invoices reflected on vendor statements. This responsibility helps the department identify delayed transactions, investigate payment queries and maintain reliable supplier account records.
3. VAT Reconciliation and Monthly Returns
The candidate will perform VAT reconciliations and submit monthly VAT returns to SARS. This requires an understanding of VAT-related financial records and the ability to check information before submission.
4. Clearing Advances and Suspense Accounts
The successful applicant will reconcile and clear advances and other suspense general ledger accounts associated with Accounts Payable. Accurate reconciliation helps ensure that transactions are correctly recorded and that unresolved balances receive attention.
5. Monitoring Supplier Payments
The position includes monitoring and reporting on payments to suppliers within 30 days. The candidate will help track payment performance and identify transactions that require follow-up.
6. Maintaining Vendor Registers
The role requires maintaining the Trade and Sundry Vendor Invoice Register. Proper recordkeeping supports the tracking of invoices and provides useful information for financial administration and reporting.
7. Authorising Financial Transactions
The successful candidate will authorise trade vendor purchase order and sundry payment transactions. The duties also include authorising sundry vendors created under the sundry vendor master account group relating to expenditure management.
These responsibilities require careful attention to departmental controls and applicable financial procedures.
8. Financial Reporting
The Senior State Accountant will prepare monthly reports on trade payables and provide inputs for the Interim Financial Statements and Annual Financial Statements. Accurate information is essential for presenting the department’s financial position and supporting its reporting obligations.
9. Audit Support and Financial Records
The candidate must ensure that audit requests receive attention and that responses are provided on time. The position also requires the safekeeping of financial records and face-value documents through an effective filing system.
Good document management makes it easier to retrieve supporting information when auditors or authorised officials request it.
10. Employee Supervision and Performance Management
The role includes supervising employees and managing their performance in accordance with departmental policies. This requires the successful candidate to support staff, monitor work and follow the department’s performance management procedures.
Who Should Consider This Opportunity?
This position may suit accounting and finance professionals who have developed practical experience in accounts payable and accruals accounting. It is particularly relevant to candidates who have worked as State Accountants or in similar financial roles.
Applicants with experience in supplier reconciliations, VAT administration, financial reporting and government accounting systems may be able to demonstrate relevant skills for the position.
However, meeting the minimum requirements remains important. Candidates should make sure that their qualifications and employment history clearly reflect the experience requested in the advertisement.
Preparing a Strong Application
Before applying, review your CV and make sure that it explains your accounting experience in a clear and organised way. Include your qualification, relevant employment history and the financial responsibilities you have handled.
Where applicable, describe your experience with vendor reconciliations, outstanding invoices, accruals, VAT returns and supplier payment monitoring. You can also highlight your exposure to SAP, BAS, GRAP, the PFMA and Treasury Regulations.
Give practical examples of your work where possible. For example, explain the types of accounts you reconciled, the financial reports you prepared or the accounting systems you used. Keep these details accurate and relevant to your actual experience.
Check that your supporting documents are complete and follow the submission instructions in the official recruitment advertisement. Do not rely on unofficial application details or send personal documents to unverified contacts.
Enquiries
For enquiries about the Senior State Accountant position, the supplied contact person is:
- Contact person: Ms V Ramudingana
- Telephone: (012) 336 7429
Application Information
Important application note: The vacancy information supplied for this article does not include an application link, submission method or closing date. Consult the complete official recruitment advertisement for these details before submitting an application. The reference number is 131126/19.
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