JOB DESCRIPTION

Financial Accountant

Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.

Conservation South Africa (CSA), a local affiliate of Conservation International, is committed to helping societies adopt a more sustainable approach to development, one that considers and values nature at every turn and improves human well-being through the conservation of healthy ecosystems and the goods and services they provide. CSA seeks to influence policy, develop markets, engage the private sector, and support communities to develop and implement conservation-based economic growth models.

POSITION SUMMARY – This position is based in Cape Town or Johannesburg, Madagascar

Reporting to the Finance Manager, the Financial Accountant will be responsible for all aspects of the financial control environment of their allocated landscapes, working closely with the project teams across all areas of financial management, control, and budgeting. The primary focus will be on capturing all financial transactions accurately, completely, and timeously within the various accounting systems used by CSA. These include Business World, an accounting system that allows the CSA Head Office, Conservation International, to have a real-time view of all aspects of CSA’s finances. There are also other software systems used for donor management and budget
preparation, and variance analysis. The Financial Accountant will perform a wide variety of tasks, including providing close support to the landscape teams, in the areas of financial planning, budget creation, cost tracking, and donor reporting. The Financial Accountant will have the experience to prioritise work relative to its urgency, as well as the interpersonal collaboration skills to work in a multi-disciplinary team both locally and internationally. The Financial Accountant will be supported by the Senior Finance Manager.

Throughout this work, the Financial Accountant will ensure compliance with Conservation International’s financial and donor reporting policies and requirements. Duties are performed under general direction. The Financial Accountant will be based at a primary office in Rondebosch, Cape Town, or Fourways, Johannesburg, and will be expected to travel regularly to their respective rural landscapes. While this role will require you to spend the majority of your working hours on site, we are open to considering a level of flexibility depending on the requirements of the position.

RESPONSIBILITIES

To support the Finance Manager working out of the CSA offices, the incumbent will be required to carry out the following tasks:

• The Financial Accountant will be required to become familiar with the financial systems and controls utilized by CSA.
• Play a supporting role in the creation and approval of vendors, processing invoices, and matching payments in CSA’s finance software – Unit 4 Business.
• World and ensure month-end deadlines are met.
• Ensure proper documentation exists and complies with CSA procurement requirements before disbursements are made.
• Play a supporting role in the payment of office expenses in CSA’s internet banking system in a timely manner and ensure that no expenditure goes ahead without prior knowledge and approval of the relevant manager and that cost center approval levels are adhered to.
• The Financial Accountant will be required to scrutinize all paperwork relating to financial transactions for the relevant landscape, including office expenditure, travel claims, assets/equipment, etc.
• Provide feedback and guidance to the relevant managers and the CSA Ops Director on any compliance issues arising from monthly reports;
• A key function in this role provides feedback and guidance to the Finance Manager on any compliance issues arising.
• Process Journals prior to month-end closure relating to travel-related activities, staff claims and advances, payrolls, bank account transactions, fleet cards, reconciliations, reallocations, etc.
• Prepare monthly cash flow forecasts for various landscapes and submit to Managers, Operations, and Finance Directors.
• Assist with budgets for various landscapes as well as budget reporting.
• Act as back-up to the Debtor function, including the issue of invoices/statements timeously, processing receipts in the accounting system.
• Review monthly general ledger transactions to ensure accurate capturing of financial information and report any discrepancies.
• Prepare and assist with monthly reconciliations of various Balance Sheet items.
• Prepare VAT analysis, submissions, reconciliations, and SARS audits.
• Prepare payroll processing, analysis, reviews, reconciliations, and SARS audits.
• Maintain Fixed Asset Registers, ensure processing and reconciling of assets on a monthly basis, and conduct asset verification process.
• Attend weekly finance meetings, assist with setting up online meetings, and take meeting notes.
• Accurate submission of the monthly timesheet.
• Assist with internal, external, and project/donor audit queries.
• Maintain finance files to ensure that they are audit-ready.
• Be prepared to take on additional activities as they arise, due to the growing nature of projects.
• The incumbent will be required to work with minimal supervision and expedite their duties independently.
• They will carry out a higher level of reporting, budgeting, and be able to interrogate these, and display sound accountability and responsibility in these work areas.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide support to the Finance Manager in ad hoc focus areas.
• Contribute to improving financial control efficiencies, effectiveness, and alignment with CSA strategic objectives.

PEOPLE AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

• This position does have direct supervisory authority but assists less-experienced peers.
• Train and coach junior staff and non-finance staff via on-the-job training.
• Conduct performance assessments of all staff being managed.

Other duties as assigned by your supervisor.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Typical office environment.
• Ability and willingness to travel on a regular basis to field sites within southern Africa.
• Flexibility to work extended hours to meet deadlines.
• This is a 2-year fixed-term assignment, anticipated to begin Nov/Dec 2025 and end Oct/Nov 2027.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor’s of Commerce (BCom) or equivalent qualification.
• Preference given to applicants with completed articles at a recognised South African accounting organization. However, we accept non-articled applicants who have strong work experience.
• 4 to 6 years of progressive relevant working experience for articled applicants, and a minimum of 10 years of progressive service for non-articled applicants.
• Ability to complete the entire accounting process cycle from transaction origination through to the Trial Balance.
• Proven competence with VAT analysis, submissions, reconciliations, and SARS audits.
• Proven competence with payroll processing, analysis, reviews, reconciliations, and SARS audits.
• Accreditation/Certification with a recognised payroll software will be advantageous.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Experience with MS Office software, and advanced MS Excel knowledge.
• Ability and experience required to administer and execute financial processes and transactions.
• Good administrative and interpersonal skills, ability to be proactive and use initiative.
• Be assertive, deadline driven, able to handle pressure, and dynamic to change.
• Meticulous, attention to detail and accurate.
• Logical thinker.
• A good team player.
• Experience in working in a team based in different locations.
• Experience in the NGO sector, preferably in an international NGO.
• Previous experience in working on complex finance system would be an advantage.
• Must be in possession of a valid South African Driver’s License.

Preferred

• Strong academic credentials.
• Ability to bring sense of fun and aliveness/flow to the team is an advantage.

To apply for this position please submit a resume and cover letter.

Application Deadline: October 17, 2025 (11:49 PM EST)

See all Conservation International Career Opportunities HERE

Conservation International is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals. We believe in hiring based on merit and qualifications, ensuring a fair and inclusive hiring process for everyone.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements