Job Description

Position Reports to: Specialist: Finance & Tax Modernisation
Division: Enterprise Service & Support
Location: Woodmead North Office Park
Advert Closing Date: 23 January 2026
About the Position
This position seeks an accounting professional skilled in problem solving and building best practices to help develop a modern SARS. As an accountant, you will be responsible for maintaining accurate financial taxpayer records and ensuring compliance with the relevant tax legislation, regulations and accounting standards. You will be required to prepare, review and analyse financial accounts, to reconcile accounts and to support audits. The position will serve as a bridge between Account Maintenance, Operations and Finance.
Job Purpose
To provide accounting support by coordinating and managing accounting functions, conduct proper account reconciliations, to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of the accounting practices in SARS.
Education and Experience
Minimum Qualification & Experience Required
Relevant Bachelor's Degree / Advanced Diploma (NQF 7) AND 5-7 years' experience in a Finance, Accounting or similar environment, of which 2-3 years at a technically skilled level ie resolving financial and accounting queries and generate accounting reports.
#Alternative
Senior Certificate (NQF 4) with 10 years related experience in Finance and accounting, of which 2 - 3 years at a technically skilled level ie resolving financial and accounting queries and generate accounting reports
Note: The alternative qualifications and experience refer to the internal minimum requirements (internal staff of SARS).
Minimum Functions Required

• Maintain financial records (tax returns and assessments, payments, interest and penalties, journals and refunds) within the sub ledger and report on exceptions.
• Performs independent reconciliations and can investigate and resolve routine and more complex discrepancies. Provide guidance to others.
• Ability to analyse sub-ledger accounts/ transactional listings/ Statement of Account and identify discrepancies and misalignment with other systems/ 3rd party information, analyse and formulate solutions.
• Monitor the system and accounts to identify defects, and ensuring the fixes are properly tested and implemented

Job Outputs:
Process

• Continuously ensure accurate communication to relevant SARS offices on discrepancies and errors in order to advise on how to ensure the accurate adjustment of said matters.
• Develop and maintain regular reports via the applicable SARS accounting system.
• Execute specialist input through investigation and opportunities within the product process including risk concern.
• Monitor, verify and review outstanding information in order to pass relevant transactions where applicable according to set standards in order to ensure accuracy and prevent fraudulent activities.
• Accumulate information to review work progress that provides input to reporting, decision making and the identification of improvement opportunities.
• Apply practical and applied knowledge and act authoritatively on methods, systems and procedures to identify trends and potential risks.
• Communication of situational interpretation and judgement of work outputs and queries in area of specialisation.
• Correctly apply policies, practices, standards, procedures and legislation in the delivery of work outputs.
• Draw on own knowledge and experience to diagnose symptoms, causes and possible effects in order to solve emerging problems
• Initiate process and procedural change, implement the change and provide guidelines and support related to new requirements as a result of the change.
• Plan for value-added process improvements, initiatives and services to deliver on operational strategy and objectives.
• Provide specialist input through the investigation of opportunities for operational and process, product and risk optimisation.

Governance

• Comply with organisational internal control and governance standards accounting standards and tax legislation
• Implement and provide input into the development of governance, compliance, integrity and ethics processes within area of specialisation.

People

• Develop and maintain productive working relationships with peers and team members to achieve predefined objectives.
• Search for, integrate and share new knowledge attained through formal and informal learning opportunities in the execution of your job.

Finance

• Adhere to organisational policies and procedures to ensure cost effectiveness and reduction of financial costs.

Client

• Contribute to a culture of service excellence, which builds positive relationships and provides opportunity for feedback and exceptional service.
• Provide authoritative, specialist services, expertise and advice to internal and external stakeholders.

Behavioural competencies

• Accountability (V)
• Analytical Thinking
• Attention to Detail
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Conceptual Ability
• Conceptual Competence
• Expertise in Context
• Fairness and Transparency
• Honesty and Integrity
• Organisational Awareness
• Respect
• Trust
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills
• Integrated thinking

Technical competencies

• Analysis and Interpretation of Financial Statements
• Business Knowledge
• Data Collection and Analysis
• Efficiency improvement
• Financial Analysis and Reporting
• Functional Policies and Procedures
• Reconciling Financial Records
• Reporting
• Proficiency in SAP and Excel
• Understanding of accounting principles and standards
• Understanding of regulatory compliance and tax legislation

Compliance Competency

• GOC Confidential

Employment Equity
The Employment Equity policy of SARS will be considered as part of the recruitment and selection process and Persons with Disabilities are encouraged to apply. Successful candidates will be required to undertake an oath of secrecy, pre-employment screening, case study, pre-assessment, psychometric assessment and or vetting, and a declaration of private interest. The appointment is also subject to appropriate reference(s) and security clearance where applicable.

Skills Required