Project Accountant
Project Accountant
Irene, ZA
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced and commercially astute Project Accountant to provide strategic financial leadership and support across complex programmes and projects. The successful candidate will serve as the primary financial partner to project and programme teams, ensuring effective financial planning, cost control, commercial governance, and risk management to support business objectives and sustainable growth.
This role plays a key part in driving financial performance, supporting strategic decision-making, managing commercial contracts, and ensuring robust financial governance across national and international programmes
Qualifications and experience:
-
Minimum Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field.
-
Preferably an Honours Degree in Accounting or a similar qualification.
-
Minimum 5–9 years' experience in finance roles.
-
At least 3 years' experience in a Business Partnering or Project Finance environment.
-
Experience supporting large-scale or complex projects through planning, execution, and close-out phases.
-
Experience within project-driven, engineering, manufacturing, defence, or technology environments would be advantageous.
Key technical skills:
-
Budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and cost control.
-
Project accounting and financial modelling.
-
Project financial control and cost management.
-
Commercial contract negotiation and pricing.
-
Cash flow, working capital, and revenue management.
-
Financial risk management, compliance, and audit engagement.
-
Strong understanding of IFRS and applicable regulatory requirements.
-
Advanced Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word proficiency.
-
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and financial reporting capabilities.
-
Excellent stakeholder engagement, negotiation, and communication skills.
-
Ability to operate effectively within complex and multidisciplinary project environments.
Key responsibilities:
Strategic Financial Partnership
-
Align financial operations with programme delivery objectives and organisational strategy.
-
Lead a finance team with clearly defined performance targets and development plans.
-
Drive financial input into business case development, investment appraisals and capex reviews.
Financial Management of Projects and Programmes
-
Prepare accurate cost-to-completion and earned value assessments for key projects.
-
Achieve and maintain project gross margin and cash flow targets.
-
Limit financial variances between actuals and budget/forecast to within 5%.
Commercial and Contract Governance
-
Lead financial contract negotiations with clients, suppliers, and partners.
-
Ensure 100% compliance with applicable financial regulations, audit requirements, and internal controls.
-
Minimise financial risk exposure through effective waiver/claim, penalties, and opportunity management.
Job Segment:
Risk Management, Compliance, Revenue Management, Accounting, Engineer, Finance, Legal, Engineering