Job Description

Trade Accountant (CA) - Gauteng

A leading multinational in the commodity trading space is looking for a technically strong and commercially minded Trade Accountant (CA) to join their Trade Accounting team.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who combines strong IFRS and technical accounting knowledge with a genuine passion for innovation, automation and process improvement.

The successful individual will play an important role in the financial reporting and accounting processes supporting the comodity marketing business, while also identifying opportunities to improve efficiencies, automate manual processes and introduce smarter ways of working.

We are particularly interested in someone who thinks beyond traditional accounting, enjoys solving problems and is comfortable challenging existing processes to drive meaningful improvements.

Responsibilities

• Execute month-end and intra-period trade accounting closes across profit centres in accordance with IFRS.

• Prepare detailed monthly IFRS profit and loss and working capital reports.

• Review and reconcile departmental management accounts and reporting.

• Support regional offices with technical accounting queries and challenges during period close.

• Coordinate external and internal audits, ensuring compliance with financial governance requirements and internal controls.

• Identify, investigate and resolve historical P&L reconciliation differences and process inefficiencies.

• Provide financial reporting, analysis and ad-hoc support to Front Office, Middle Office and corporate stakeholders.

• Assess, conclude on and document the IFRS accounting treatment for new and structured deals ahead of execution.

• Drive automation of manual journal entries and accounting processes to improve efficiency and enable straight-through processing into the general ledger.

• Identify opportunities to streamline workflows, enhance reporting capabilities and improve existing accounting processes.

• Collaborate with other Trade Accounting teams to implement best practices, strengthen internal controls and drive continuous improvement.

• Review and reconcile departmental SG&A and overhead reporting.

• Contribute to project-related requirements and initiatives within the Trade Accounting function.

Requirements

• Qualified Chartered Accountant (CA(SA), CA, CPA or equivalent recognised qualification).

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance.

• Minimum of one year's post-articles experience in a relevant accounting, financial reporting or audit environment.

• Strong technical accounting knowledge and practical IFRS experience.

• Demonstrable experience implementing automated data-entry processes, improving reporting systems or introducing process enhancements.

• A genuine interest in innovation, technology and finding more efficient ways of working.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with the confidence to challenge conventional approaches.

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.

• Working knowledge of ERP systems, particularly SAP, would be advantageous.

• Experience with Power BI, SQL or other data analytics and automation tools would be highly beneficial.

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to engage effectively with stakeholders across different business functions.

• Strong attention to detail, accountability and the ability to take ownership in a fast-paced environment.

• Advanced written and spoken English.

Non-negotiables

• Qualified CA: A recognised Chartered Accounting qualification is essential.

• Strong IFRS and technical accounting knowledge: You must be comfortable working with complex accounting treatments and financial reporting requirements.

• Automation and process improvement experience: You must have demonstrated experience implementing automated data-entry processes, improving systems or introducing processes that enhance business performance. This is a key requirement.

• Innovation mindset: We want someone who is naturally curious, thinks outside the box and is passionate about finding better, smarter ways of working.

• Commercial curiosity: A genuine interest in commodity trading, derivatives, structured deals, hedging and pricing is important. You should be keen to develop your understanding of how accounting supports a trading business.

Additional advantage: Candidates with an understanding of derivatives, commodity trading or financial instruments will have an edge. Power BI and SQL experience would also be beneficial.

Candidates currently working in external audit will be considered, provided they have strong IFRS technical knowledge, a genuine passion for automation and a clear motivation to transition into a commercial commodity trading environment.

Should you meet the required skills, please respond to this advert