Senior Manager Project Accounting

Purpose statement:

To lead and manage the project accounting function within CETA by ensuring accurate financial management reporting compliance and governance of all project-related finances while supporting strategic decision-making and ensuring optimal utilisation of funds in alignment with regulatory and organisational requirements.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Develop an Operational plan aligned with the Project Accounting Divisional Strategy and CETA Mandate
• Ensure that all functions in the Unit are aligned with the developed operational plan.
• Ensure that all staff are aware of the operational plan.
• Develop set performance measurement mechanisms and ensure the implementation of these through the operational plan.
• Develop policy and procedure documents as and when required.
• Review current policies and procedures and make suggestions for changes.
• Monitor progress to ensure successful implementation of plans and achievement of targets.
• Produce relevant information reports according to requirements and timelines.
• Lead the planning coordination and execution of project accounting activities to ensure that all financial transactions related to projects are accurately recorded classified and reported in line with approved budgets and financial frameworks.
• Develop and implement project financial management policies procedures and controls to ensure compliance with Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) Treasury Regulations and CETA policies.
• Oversee the preparation and monitoring of project budgets ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and funding allocations while identifying potential risks and variances.
• Ensure timely and accurate allocation of project costs including direct and indirect expenses to appropriate cost centres and funding streams.
• Monitor project expenditure against approved budgets and provide detailed variance analysis reports with recommendations for corrective action.
• Facilitate financial decision-making by providing management with insights and analysis on project financial performance and sustainability.
• Ensure proper financial closure of projects including reconciliation reporting and documentation in accordance with audit and compliance requirements.
• Oversee the preparation of monthly quarterly and annual project financial reports in compliance with applicable accounting standards and organisational requirements.
• Ensure that all financial reporting related to projects meets regulatory requirements and aligns with National Treasury reporting frameworks.
• Coordinate and manage audit processes by preparing required documentation and responding to audit queries related to project accounting.
• Review and validate financial statements and reports to ensure accuracy completeness and integrity of project financial information.
• Implement and maintain internal controls to safeguard project funds and prevent fraud irregular expenditure and financial mismanagement.
• Ensure compliance with grant conditions donor requirements and funding agreements related to project finances.
• Provide assurance to executive management and governance structures regarding the financial status and compliance of projects.
• Lead the development of project budgets in collaboration with project managers and relevant stakeholders to ensure alignment with organisational priorities.
• Conduct detailed financial forecasting and scenario analysis to support strategic planning and decision-making processes.
• Monitor budget utilisation and provide ongoing financial projections to ensure optimal use of available resources.
• Identify financial risks and opportunities within project budgets and recommend mitigation strategies to management.
• Facilitate budget reviews and adjustments in response to changes in project scope funding or external factors.
• Ensure integration of project budgets into the overall organisational budgeting framework.
• Provide training and guidance to project teams on budgeting principles processes and compliance requirements.
• Manage the relationships and contracts with identified partners and service providers
• Facilitate and maintain effective stakeholder and business relationships through appropriate relationship building networking and reporting activities.
• Represent the organisation to stakeholders associates and partners and maintain professional effective and amicable relationships to ensure that CETAs interests are upheld.
• Liaise on a regular basis with all third parties and ensure that are maintained.
• Address problems that are identified in the most appropriate manner.
• Investigate problems and find suitable solutions.
• Deal with customer queries and escalated issues from the unit.
• Build and lead an effective and cohesive team through the effective management of unit resources.
• Drive the implementation of talent acquisition succession planning development and retention strategies for the unit.
• Ensure the enhancement of relevant knowledge and skills through continuous coaching mentoring and nurturing of talent in the business unit.
• Create a high-performance culture and manage team performance effectively by translating and communicating the annual performance goals and measures into individual work plans based on agreed upon objectives.
• Ensure the working environment contributes to improving employee engagement recognition and increased productivity.
• Ensure the management of poor performance and disciplinary matters in line with the CETAs policies and procedures.
• Ensure all business activities adhere to relevant legal regulatory and industry standards.
• Prepare and submit regular reports on compliance status highlighting any potential risks or areas of non-compliance to executive management.
• Perform ongoing risk assessments to identify and evaluate internal and external risks that could impact operations.
• Work closely with the Executive Manager to implement risk controls and ensure alignment with organizational risk management goals.
• Monitor the progress of risk mitigation activities and escalate issues that require higher-level intervention.
• Manage internal audits to assess the organizations compliance with regulatory standards and internal policies.
• Stay informed about regulatory changes and ensure that internal policies and procedures are updated promptly.
• Communicate policy updates and regulatory changes to relevant teams and ensure timely implementation.
• Build and lead an effective and cohesive team through the effective management of divisional resources.
• Drive the implementation of talent acquisition succession planning development and retention strategies for the division.
• Ensure the enhancement of relevant knowledge and skills through continuous coaching mentoring and nurturing of talent in the business Division.
• Create a high-performance culture and manage team performance effectively by translating and communicating the annual performance goals and measures into individual work plans based on agreed upon objectives.
• Ensure the working environment contributes to improving employee engagement recognition and increased productivity.
• Ensure the management of poor performance and disciplinary matters in line with the CETAs policies and procedures.

Competencies:

1. Core Competencies:

• Agility
• Result-Orientated
• Integrity
• Respect
• Professionalism
• Stakeholder Management

2. Leadership Competencies:

• Accountability
• Strategic Management
• Financial Management
• People Management
• Risk and Compliance Management
• Change Management

3. Technical Competencies:

• Financial Data Management
• Financial Reporting
• Financial Accounting
• Budgeting and Forecasting

4. Enabling Competencies:

• Attention to Detail
• Analytical Thinking
• Problem-Solving
• Time Management
• Integrity and Ethics
• Collaboration

Minimum Job Inherent Requirements:

• Bachelors degree (NQF7) in Accounting or Finance or equivalent.
• 8 years experience in similar environment (of which 3 years at a Junior Management level).
• Chartered Accountant (CA) (SA) will be an added advantage.

Remuneration and Benefits

As per CETAs approved Remuneration Policy and Patterson job grading framework.

This appointment is a fixed-term contract aligned to the CETA license period (expiring 31 March 2030) subject to satisfactory performance in accordance with CETA policies.

PLEASE NOTE

Shortlisted candidates will be subject to pre-employment verifications and security vetting.

Shortlisted candidates will be required to undergo professional competency assessments.

The appointed candidate will be required to disclose his/her financial interests.

Interested applicants should send an application letter with the vacancy/position title and reference number together with a detailed Curriculum Vitae copies of academic qualifications and names of three contactable referees via the CETA website

Please note the following contact details are for enquiries about JOB CONTENT ONLY and NOT for application purposes.

Enquiries: Be submitted by e-mail to not later than 2 days before closing date.

CETA will not consider any late applications.

The CETA reserves the right to cancel this advert and / or not to appoint. CETA will only correspond with short-listed candidates. If you do not receive correspondence from CETA within 4 weeks of the closing date please consider your application unsuccessful.

All international qualifications must be submitted with a valid SAQA accreditation failure to do so will lead to automatic disqualification.

Closing date: 28 September 2026 at 23h59

CETA is an equal opportunity the filling of vacant posts the objectives of section 195 (1) (i) of the Constitution of South Africa 1996 (Act No: 108 of 1996) the Employment Equity imperatives as defined by the Employment Equity Act 1998 (Act No: 55 of 1998) and relevant Human Resources policies of CETA will be taken into consideration. Coloured White Indians and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply and preference will be given to the EE Targets.