Bursar Management Accountant

Bursar Management Accountant
Location: George Western Cape

A leading organisation in the private education sector is seeking a commercially minded and highly organised Bursar to take ownership of the full finance function at campus level.

This is far more than a traditional finance administration role. We are looking for someone who enjoys being at the heart of a business partnering with leadership teams influencing decision-making and ensuring that financial processes reporting and controls support operational success.

The successful candidate will act as the financial business partner to campus leadership helping to manage budgets control expenditure interpret management accounts and provide financial insights to non-financial stakeholders. You will serve as the critical link between the campus and the central finance function ensuring financial accuracy compliance and operational excellence.

This opportunity is particularly well suited to candidates coming from listed companies group environments shared services structures education institutions or highly process-driven organisations where budgeting reporting billing administration and stakeholder engagement are key components of the role.

Key Responsibilities:
Financial Management & Business Partnering

• Act as the primary finance business partner to campus leadership.
• Participate in management meetings and contribute to financial decision-making.
• Provide guidance and recommendations on expenditure budgets and financial controls.
• Analyse monthly management accounts and communicate findings to management in a clear and practical manner.
• Translate financial information into meaningful insights for non-financial stakeholders.

Budgeting & Financial Control

• Drive and manage the annual OPEX and CAPEX budgeting process.
• Monitor expenditure against budgets and investigate variances.
• Ensure accurate budget tracking and reporting.
• Prepare and submit CAPEX applications and supporting documentation.
• Monitor and manage budgets for events camps tours and special projects.

Reporting Billing & Administration

• Oversee accurate billing processes and submissions.
• Ensure timely and accurate month-end reporting and financial close activities.
• Prepare reconciliations journals and financial schedules.
• Review payroll information and provide feedback to leadership.
• Track income and expenditure accurately and maintain financial records.
• Manage debtors collections and payment follow-ups.

Procurement & Compliance

• Oversee procurement and accounts payable processes.
• Ensure compliance with financial policies procedures and internal controls.
• Assist with financial audits and reporting requirements.
• Train staff on financial policies and procedures where required.

Qualifications and Skills Required:

• Grade 12 essential.
• Bookkeeping Accounting or Finance qualification advantageous.
• 710 years experience in a finance-focused role.
• Strong experience with management accounts budgeting and financial reporting.
• Experience managing OPEX and CAPEX budgets.
• Exposure to billing reconciliations debtors creditors and month-end processes.
• Experience working within a structured corporate group shared services or education environment highly advantageous.
• Strong bookkeeping and accounting knowledge essential.
• Has exceptional attention to detail.
• Is highly organised and thrives in an administration-intensive environment.
• Enjoys working with numbers processes and reporting.
• Can confidently communicate financial information to non-financial stakeholders.
• Is analytical proactive and solutions-driven.
• Has strong Excel skills and systems proficiency.
• Is customer-centric professional and approachable.
• Can manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
• Enjoys being a trusted business partner rather than simply processing transactions.

Why Consider This Opportunity
This role offers the opportunity to combine finance operations and stakeholder engagement within a purpose-driven environment. You will play a key role in supporting leadership decisions maintaining financial integrity and contributing to the success of a thriving campus community.

Salary range: R360 000 - R420 000 TCTC per annum.

If you enjoy working in a role where your financial expertise can directly influence operational success we would love to hear from you.