The Role
Manage financial transactions, reconciliations, and reporting for multiple farm operations. Oversee inventory controls, prepare budgets and forecasts, submit statutory returns, support audits, and provide financial analysis to farm management. Lead and develop the finance team and travel regularly between farms.
Summary Generated by Built In
We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Financial Accountant to support the financial management and reporting functions across our Southern Farms operations. This is an exciting opportunity for a finance professional who is passionate about agriculture, enjoys working closely with operational teams, and thrives in a dynamic environment. You will be travelling to our different farms between Wellington, Tulbugh and Paarl.
The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the accuracy, completeness, and timely processing of financial information and transactions. Working closely with Farm and Estate Management, you will provide valuable financial insights to support business performance and decision-making.
Key Performance Outputs
Financial Accounting & Transaction Management
- Ensure all financial transactions comply with company processes and controls
- Review and manage supplier and employee payments accurately and timeously
- Monitor cash flow requirements and optimise available funds
- Process and review monthly journals, including: Salaries and wages, Depreciation, Foreign exchange transactions, Interest allocations, Provisions, Stock-related transactions
Reconciliations & Compliance
- Review and ensure completion of bank reconciliations
- Manage creditor, petty cash, and credit card reconciliations
- Prepare monthly balance sheet reconciliations and supporting schedules
- Ensure accurate and timely submission of VAT, EMP201, diesel rebate, and ETI returns
Inventory Management & Controls
- Oversee stock purchasing, usage, and adjustment processes
- Review stock accuracy, valuation, and inventory controls
- Drive stock count processes and investigate variances
- Conduct spot checks to ensure compliance with company procedures
- Assist management in improving inventory reporting and controls
Reporting, Budgeting & Financial Analysis
- Prepare and review monthly financial reports and management accounts
- Partner with farm management to analyse financial performance and operational results
- Develop and maintain supporting schedules and operational reporting tools
- Prepare annual budgets and cash flow forecasts
- Assist with year-end audits and financial surveys
Team Leadership
- Lead, coach, and support the finance team
- Monitor performance and ensure adherence to deadlines
- Identify training and development opportunities
- Manage leave, attendance, and overall team performance
Requirements
Minimum Requirements
- BCom Accounting Degree (CIMA qualification will be advantageous)
- Minimum 5 years' experience in a similar accounting role
- At least 3 years' people management experience
- Valid driver's license and willingness to travel regularly between farm operations
- Strong understanding of accounting processes, reconciliations, budgeting, and reporting
Technical & Functional Skills
- Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (particularly Excel)
- Strong financial administration and reporting skills
- Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
- Effective verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to build strong working relationships across multiple stakeholders
Behavioural Competencies
- Self-motivated and results-driven
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities
- Strong planning and organisational skills
- Ability to perform effectively under pressure and meet strict deadlines
- Strong leadership and people management capabilities
- Flexible and adaptable, with the ability to travel when required
Why Join Us?
This is an exciting opportunity to become a key finance business partner across a portfolio of Southern farming operations. Working closely with farm and operational management, you will gain exposure to diverse agricultural activities while contributing directly to financial performance, decision-making, and operational success.
What you can expect:
- Make a meaningful impact by supporting financial performance across multiple farm operations.
- Be a trusted business partner to farm and estate management, providing valuable financial insights that drive decision-making.
- Enjoy diverse exposure across farming, inventory management, budgeting, reporting, compliance, and operational finance.
- Develop your leadership skills by managing and mentoring a finance team.
- Work in a dynamic environment where no two days are the same, offering continuous learning and professional growth opportunities.
- Contribute to operational excellence through improved financial controls, reporting accuracy, and process efficiencies.
- Experience the agricultural industry first-hand, with regular interaction across farm operations and production environments.
If you are a proactive finance professional who enjoys combining strong technical accounting expertise with operational involvement, this role offers an excellent opportunity to grow your career while making a real contribution to the success of our Southern farming operations.
Skills Required
- BCom Accounting Degree
- CIMA qualification
- Minimum 5 years' experience in a similar accounting role
- At least 3 years' people management experience
- Valid driver's license and willingness to travel regularly between farm operations
- Strong understanding of accounting processes, reconciliations, budgeting, and reporting
- Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (particularly Excel)
- Strong financial administration and reporting skills
- Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
- Effective verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to build strong working relationships across multiple stakeholders
- Self-motivated and results-driven
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities
- Strong planning and organisational skills
- Ability to perform effectively under pressure and meet strict deadlines
- Strong leadership and people management capabilities
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The Company
What We Do
United Exports is a global leader and vertically integrated company in the agricultural supply chain, specializing in fruit production and export, from breeding to distribution.
