Assistant Finance Manager

Assistant Finance Manager | Luxury Safari Lodge | Pongola, KZN

Kendrick Recruitment is currently seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Assistant Finance Manager to join an exclusive luxury safari lodge in Pongola, KwaZulu-Natal.

This is an excellent opportunity for a finance professional with strong accounting knowledge and hospitality experience to join a high-end safari operation. The successful candidate will support the Finance Manager across day-to-day financial operations, reporting, reconciliations, cost control, stock management and financial administration.

Package & Benefits

Salary: R35,000 per month
Live-in accommodation
Meals on duty
Medical Aid Contribution
Provident Fund

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with the day-to-day financial and accounting operations.
  
• Process financial transactions accurately and timeously.
  
• Maintain accurate accounting records and supporting documentation.
  
• Assist with month-end and year-end financial procedures, including journals, accruals and prepayments.
  
• Manage and reconcile supplier accounts and assist with payment preparations.
  
• Process accounts payable and receivable transactions.
  
• Monitor outstanding debtor balances and follow up on overdue accounts.
  
• Assist with guest, agent and company invoicing.
  
• Perform bank, cash-up and petty cash reconciliations.
  
• Monitor cash-handling procedures and investigate variances.
  
• Assist with stock counts, stock movement monitoring and cost control.
  
• Work closely with operational departments to identify wastage, losses and unusual variances.
  
• Assist with monthly stock takes and reporting.
  
• Support the preparation of monthly management accounts and financial reports.
  
• Prepare expenditure reports and variance analysis.
  
• Monitor departmental expenditure against approved budgets.
  
• Assist with annual budgeting, forecasting and cash-flow monitoring.
  
• Provide financial support to the payroll process and assist with payroll reconciliations.
  
• Ensure financial policies, procedures and internal controls are consistently followed.
  
• Assist with internal and external audits and ensure documentation is audit-ready.
  
• Provide financial guidance and support to Heads of Department.
  
• Maintain strict confidentiality regarding financial, guest, supplier and employee information.
  

Requirements

• Grade 12 / Matric.
  
• Diploma or Degree in Accounting, Finance, Financial Management or a related field.
  
• 3–5 years' relevant finance or accounting experience.
  
• Previous experience within a hotel, lodge, resort or hospitality environment is highly advantageous.
  
• Strong understanding of accounting principles and financial controls.
  
• Experience with reconciliations, creditors, debtors and financial reporting.
  
• Strong Microsoft Excel and general computer skills.
  
• Experience with hospitality accounting systems and/or PMS/POS systems will be advantageous.
  
• Experience with stock and cost control is advantageous.
  
• Payroll accounting experience will be beneficial.
  
• Previous experience in a luxury lodge or five-star hospitality environment is advantageous.
  

Skills & Attributes

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Excellent numerical and analytical ability.
  
• Exceptional attention to detail.
  
• Strong organisational and administrative skills.
  
• The ability to work accurately under pressure and meet strict deadlines.
  
• Excellent reconciliation and problem-solving skills.
  
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
  
• High levels of integrity, professionalism and confidentiality.
  
• Strong financial and commercial awareness.
  
• The ability to identify discrepancies and investigate their root causes.
  
• The ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a team.
  
• Flexibility and adaptability within a dynamic safari lodge environment.
  

Working Environment

This position is based within a remote luxury safari lodge environment, and the successful candidate must be comfortable with the operational demands of lodge life.

The role may require working weekends and public holidays when operationally necessary, as well as extended hours during month-end, audits and peak operational periods.

Please note that only candidates meeting the above requirements will be considered.

If you do not hear from us within 7 working days, please consider your application unsuccessful.