Reconciliation Accountant - Shoprite Group

The Reconciliation Accountant is responsible for the comprehensive reconciliation, settlement, processing and reporting of all third-party vendors, debtors and control accounts, with a strong emphasis on fostering effective internal and external stakeholder engagement. This position plays a critical role in safeguarding the integrity and accuracy of financial records related to money market transactions.

The Reconciliation Accountant is accountable for enhancing financial processes, resolving transactional exceptions and queries, and actively collaborating with both internal and external stakeholders to support informed financial decision-making.

Job Objectives

•  Adhere to the processes for end-to-end reconciliation of payments made to third-party vendors and received by third-party debtors, including but not limited to capturing and processing invoices for payment, processing payments from the bank account and resolving any discrepancies identified.
• Execute the reconciliation of various control accounts to identify, investigate and resolve any exceptions.
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders, including SR systems, operational teams, customers and third-party vendors and debtors, to facilitate smooth reconciliation processes and issue resolution.
• Provide efficient query support activities to stores, vendors and debtors.
• Assist with processing of bulk gift card orders.
• Monitor debtors and creditors to ensure timely transactions and adherence to financial agreements, escalating any discrepancies or concerns as needed.
• Review and verify the accuracy of external service provider invoices, investigating discrepancies and ensuring alignment with contractual agreements.
• Conduct analysis of transaction patterns and trends to identify discrepancies or anomalies, escalating issues as necessary to propose adjustments or improvements to processes.
• Investigate and resolve complex unreconciled transactions by collaborating with external service providers and internal teams to provide swift resolution.
• Utilise system reports to maintain and verify processed work by comparing them to actual balances, ensuring ongoing accuracy in financial reporting.
• Comply with company policies by managing stakeholder information and details in accordance with PCI, FICA, and POPIA regulations.
• Attend to the meticulous maintenance of financial records, supporting audits and internal controls.
• Provide professional and timely communication with stakeholders, addressing inquiries related to transactions to enhance customer satisfaction.
• Report detailed findings on reconciliation activities, trends, and financial impacts for management review.
• Support the finance department’s objectives by conducting ad hoc analysis or projects as required.
• Train new team members on reconciliation processes and best practices to enhance operational efficiency

Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field (essential)

Experience

• +2 years of relevant accounting experience in a financial, administrative, or similar role (preferred).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 with intermediate Excel skills and accounting software (essential)

Knowledge and Skills

• Good knowledge of SAP or similar ERP systems (preferred).
• Experience in corporate finance and retail environments is advantageous.
• Familiarity with electronic payment processes, transaction reconciliation, and internet banking is advantageous