Job Description

KINDLY TAKE NOTE: Applications may only be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website: https://ufs.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll - Applications submitted through any other platform will not be considered.

Please ensure that all relevant documentation is attached to your application.
- A detailed curriculum vitae and cover letter.

• Copies of qualifications (please provide the SAQA accreditation in the case of foreign qualifications).
• A copy of your identity document (ID or passport in the case of foreign nationals).
• Proof of registration with a Professional Body (if applicable).
• A copy of your driver's license (if applicable).
• Confirmation of employment from current employer / last employer if unemployed (only applicable to external applicants).

Duties and responsibilities:

• Client support

- Respond to escalated client inquiries.
- Provide training to academic/support staff on policies/processes.

• Compliance

- Implement and ensure compliance with internal financial and accounting policies and procedures. This relates to procurement, travel and expenses, journals, general entity/account structure processes and other relevant financial policies.
- Ensure that all statutory requirements of the University are met.
- Ensure compliance with NRF policies and guidelines.
- Ensure compliance with Reserve bank policies and regulations in relation to foreign payments.

• Process Management

- Oversee employee claims and advance processes to ensure that employees are reimbursed timeously and accurately.
- Implement financial policies and procedures.
- Prepare monthly general ledger reconciliations.
- Oversee one-time creditors claim payment and review process to ensure all vendors paid via this route are paid timeously and accurately.

• Quality Assurance

- Generate and follow up on exception reports on travel and expenses, journals, the general ledger, as well as NRF to ensure data quality.
- Review of transaction allocations in preparation for the year-end process and external audit.
- Prepare monthly general ledger reconciliations.
- Compile Bank reconciliations of the UFS and follow-up relating to possible control/system deficiencies.
- Compile exception reports regarding expenses, journals, foreign payments, and other general ledger queries.
- Review and approve financial transactions, expense claims, advance requests, once-off F1 creditor claims (including foreign payments), petty cash claims, and journal requests.

• Internal Reporting

- Generate and follow-up exception reports and internal management reports on travel and expense claims, journals, the general ledger data and NRF.
- Prepare external audit files.
- Compile management reports.

• Data capturing

- Compile internal loan payment schedules.

Inherent requirements:

• B.Com. (Accounting) or B.Acc/B.Tech degree on NQF level 7.
• A minimum of two (2) years of relevant working experience related to the duties and responsibilities.

Recommendations:

• Experience within the higher education environment.
• Knowledge of university systems, policies, and procedures.

Competencies

Required competencies:

• Results oriented.

- The ability to be reliable, responsible, dependable and to fulfil obligations.
- The ability to deal calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

• Strategic thinking.

- The ability to plan work and to follow plans.
- The ability to carefully analyse information and use logic to address issues and problems at work.

• Business Acumen:

- The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.
- Proficient in using MS Office.

• Leading.

- The ability to maintain high levels of personal motivation, energy and enthusiasm.
- The ability to lead, take charge of situations, and offer opinions and directions to others.

• Building coalitions

- The ability to negotiate, sell, influence and to persuade others.
- The ability to interact with others and establish personal connections with people.

Assumption of duties:
1 November or As soon as possible.

Closing date:
21 September 2023.

Salary:
The annual remuneration package, including benefits, is R 478,973.67 - R 582,283.31, depending on the budget available for the position, relevant work experience and qualifications.

Fringe benefits:
(Subject to specific conditions): pension scheme, medical aid scheme, group life insurance, housing allowance, leave and sick leave, service bonus and study benefits.

Enquiries:
For enquiries, please feel free to contact 051 401 2979 or email JardineS@ufs.ac.za or Recruit@ufs.ac.za. Additionally, kindly contact 051 401 9848 / 9810 / 9813/ 9814 for assistance.

General:
The UFS is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity, and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups including candidates with disabilities. Our Employment Equity Policy is available at : https://ufsacza.sharepoint.com/:b:/r/sites/supportservices/hr/Employment Equity/EEA13_EE Plan UFS 1 March 2022 (003).pdf?csf=1&web=1&e=TjtoXH

The University processes personal information in line with its obligations under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and any personal information provided to the University will be treated as confidential and processed in accordance with the rights provided to data subjects under POPIA.

The University reserves the right not to fill the post. The UFS will only consider applications of candidates who meet all the inherent requirements of the position. Applications that are incomplete will not be considered. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. Should you not be contacted within six weeks of the closing date for applications, you may assume that your application was unsuccessful

University of the Free State