The Central Energy Fund invites suitably qualified applicants to apply for the Senior Financial Accountant vacancy based at CEF Head Office in Sandton. This permanent opportunity is suitable for candidates with CA(SA), post-article experience, strong financial reporting knowledge and experience in statutory reporting, financial controls, audit support and group accounting.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Employer | Central Energy Fund |
| Closing Date | 09 August 2026 |
| Location | CEF Head Office, Sandton, South Africa |
| Department | Financial Reporting |
| Post Title | Senior Financial Accountant |
| Contract Type | Permanent |
| Application Method | Online application |
| Online Application Link | https://careers.cefgroup.co.za/jobs/apply/senior-financial-accountant-137 |
Senior Financial Accountant
Employer: CEF SOC
Centre: CEF Head Office, Sandton
Department: Financial Reporting
Contract Type: Permanent
About CEF
CEF is a Schedule 2 state-owned diversified energy company reporting to the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources.
The mandate of CEF is to contribute to the security of energy supply of South Africa and the region through exploration, acquisition, development, marketing and strategic partnership.
Job Purpose
The Senior Financial Accountant will provide professional oversight and assurance over financial accounting, statutory reporting and financial control activities of assigned entities within the CEF Group.
The role is responsible for ensuring that financial information is complete, accurate, supported and submitted within prescribed timelines.
The successful candidate will ensure that approved Group accounting policies and technical accounting conclusions are correctly implemented.
The role also includes identifying and resolving material financial control, compliance and audit matters.
The successful candidate will coordinate end-to-end financial reporting requirements of assigned entities and provide professional review and guidance to accounting personnel and operational stakeholders.
Requirements
Applicants must have Matric.
Applicants must have an Honours Degree at NQF Level 8 in Accounting, Finance or an equivalent qualification.
Applicants must have five years’ post-article experience in a similar role.
CA(SA) professional qualification is required.
A Master’s Degree at NQF Level 9 in Accounting, Finance or an equivalent qualification will be an added advantage.
Desired Skills and Competencies
Applicants must have strong technical knowledge of accounting standards, including IFRS and GAAP.
Knowledge of the PFMA, operational finance, cash flow management and transaction processing is required.
Applicants must have knowledge of financial statement preparation, review and disclosure requirements.
Knowledge of group reporting, consolidations and intercompany accounting is required.
Applicants must understand accounting for complex and non-routine transactions.
Applicants must be able to develop accounting position papers and technical opinions.
Knowledge of internal financial controls and financial reporting risk is required.
Applicants must understand the Companies Act, PFMA, Treasury Regulations and applicable governance requirements.
Knowledge of South African tax legislation, including corporate income tax and VAT, is required.
Applicants must understand external audit, internal audit and regulatory assurance processes.
Knowledge of financial management systems and consolidation or reporting tools is required.
Understanding of the energy sector and state-owned company environment will be relevant.
Key Performance Areas
The successful candidate will coordinate and professionally review month-end, quarter-end and year-end financial close processes for assigned entities.
Duties include reviewing trial balances, material journals, reconciliations, estimates, accruals and supporting schedules.
The candidate will prepare or review statutory annual financial statements and Group reporting packs.
The successful candidate will ensure that reporting submissions are complete, accurate and aligned with approved Group accounting policies.
The role includes analysing financial results and explaining material movements, anomalies and emerging risks.
The candidate will certify the readiness and integrity of assigned entity financial information before submission to the Group Financial Manager.
The successful candidate will coordinate intercompany confirmations and resolve differences affecting assigned entities.
Implementation of IFRS and Group Accounting Policies
The successful candidate will apply approved Group accounting policies and technical accounting conclusions within assigned entities.
Duties include identifying transactions that may require specialist IFRS interpretation and escalating them to the IFRS Specialist.
The candidate will compile relevant contracts, financial information and transaction details required for technical assessment.
The role includes assessing operational and reporting implications of technical accounting conclusions.
The successful candidate will implement approved accounting treatments, disclosure requirements and control changes.
The candidate will monitor compliance with new operational or amended reporting requirements within assigned entities.
The successful candidate will maintain evidence showing the appropriate implementation of technical conclusions.
Operational Finance and Business Support
The successful candidate will oversee financial control aspects of accounts payable, accounts receivable, banking and cash-management processes.
Duties include reviewing material, aged or unusual balances and ensuring timely resolution.
The candidate will monitor working-capital performance and identify risks affecting cash flow.
The successful candidate will resolve escalated accounting and financial processing exceptions.
The role includes ensuring that procurement, payment and revenue processes comply with approved financial controls and delegations.
The candidate will advise operational teams on the correct application of established financial processes.
General Ledger and Financial Controls
The successful candidate will maintain the integrity of the general ledger by reviewing journal entries and reconciliations for assigned entities.
Duties include ensuring timely and accurate processing of transactions, accruals and adjustments.
The candidate will implement and uphold strong financial controls to mitigate risks and ensure compliance.
The successful candidate will evaluate the design and effectiveness of financial controls across assigned entities.
The role includes reviewing high-risk reconciliations, material journal entries, estimates and unusual transactions.
The candidate will identify systemic control weaknesses and recommend corrective or preventative measures.
The successful candidate will monitor implementation of agreed financial control improvements.
The role includes providing assurance to the Group Financial Manager regarding the reliability of financial information.
Taxation and Compliance
The successful candidate will provide professional oversight of statutory and tax compliance for assigned entities.
Duties include reviewing material tax calculations, returns and accounting treatments.
The candidate will assess financial reporting consequences of changes in tax and regulatory requirements.
The successful candidate will engage specialist tax advisers or regulatory authorities when complex interpretation is required.
The role includes ensuring that compliance risks and potential exposures are reported to management.
Audit and Risk Management
The successful candidate will serve as the senior financial accounting liaison for internal and external audits relating to assigned entities.
Duties include evaluating audit findings, coordinating technically appropriate responses and overseeing corrective actions.
The candidate will resolve complex audit queries and ensure that accounting conclusions are adequately supported.
The successful candidate will identify emerging financial reporting and compliance risks and escalate material matters appropriately.
The role includes tracking the closure of financial reporting and control findings.
Team Management
The successful candidate will supervise assistant accountants by providing daily priorities and monitoring execution according to priorities and timelines.
Duties include providing technical guidance on established accounting policies, processes and controls.
The candidate will coach finance employees on financial reporting, reconciliations, controls and audit readiness.
The successful candidate will conduct quality reviews and provide corrective guidance.
The role includes contributing to standardised templates, procedures and reporting practices across entities.
How to Apply
Applicants must apply online through the CEF careers portal.
To apply and access more details, visit the CEF online application portal.
Important Notes for Applicants
The closing date is 09 August 2026.
The successful candidate will be required to undergo personnel suitability checks.
Checks may include criminal records, citizenship, financial checks, qualification verification and previous employment reference checks.
Applicants with foreign qualifications must ensure that their qualifications are evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority and that the evaluation certificate is attached to the application on submission.
Applicants who do not hear from CEF SOC three months after the closing date should consider their application unsuccessful.
CEF SOC reserves the right not to fill this position.
CEF SOC is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer.
The position will be filled in accordance with the CEF SOC Employment Equity Plan.
CEF SOC is committed to the achievement and maintenance of diversity and equity in employment, especially in respect of race, gender and disability.