Reporting Accountant

Primary Purpose of the Job:

The Reporting Accountant is responsible for the preparation, analysis and presentation of monthly management reporting, performance analysis and insight for the Operational Finance team.

The role focuses on transforming financial and operational data into accurate, timely and decision useful information, supporting management through structured analysis, dashboards, AI agents and ad hoc projects. The incumbent will play a key role in enhancing Excel based, BI reporting capability and AI transformation within Operational Finance. 

Key Performance Areas (KPA’s):

 Monthly Reporting & Analysis

• Prepare monthly management reports in line with group reporting timelines.
• Perform variance analysis against prior periods, budgets and forecasts with clear commentary.
• Analyse trends, drivers and anomalies in financial and operational data.
• Support Finance Managers with explanatory analysis for management, EXCO and board reporting.
• Ensure reporting is accurate, complete, consistent and well‑structured.

Excel‑Based Reporting & Data Modelling

• Build and maintain advanced Excel reporting models, including:
  • SQL
  • Pivot tables and pivot charts
  • Structured data models
  • Lookups, formulas and logical calculations
• Automate or introduce AI agents to run recurring reports where possible to improve efficiency and reduce manual effort.
• Maintain reconciliation between source data and reported outputs.

BI Dashboards & Visual Reporting

• Design, build and maintain BI dashboards (e.g. Power BI or similar) or AI agents to support operational and financial reporting.
• Translate business and finance requirements into clear, user‑friendly visual outputs.
• Ensure dashboards align to agreed data definitions, controls and governance.
• Continuously improve dashboards based on stakeholder feedback.

Ad Hoc Analysis & Projects

• Support ad hoc analysis requested by management, including:
  • Performance deep dives
  • Scenario and sensitivity analysis
  • Business cases and initiatives
• Participate in reporting, process improvement and automation projects within Operational Finance.
• Assist in improving reporting frameworks, templates and standardisation across the team.

Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration

• Work closely with Finance Managers, portfolio accountants, tax and treasury teams to ensure alignment of data and reporting.
• Liaise with non‑finance stakeholders to understand reporting needs and translate them into meaningful outputs.
• Deliver insights in a clear, structured and professional manner.

Job Specific Requirements: 

Job Knowledge                                              

• Strong knowledge of financial accounting and management reporting (essential).
• Understanding of budgeting, forecasting and variance analysis (essential).
• Experience working with large data sets and multiple information sources (essential).
• Exposure to commercial / property environments is advantageous (Desirable)                                                                                        

• Advanced Excel skills (essential):
  • SQL
  • Pivot tables and charts
  • Advanced formulas and data manipulation
  • Structured, well controlled workbooks
• BI / data visualisation experience (essential):
  • Power BI
• Ability to work comfortably across finance systems and data extracts.                                             

Job Experience:

• Commercial accounting experience (Essential)
• SAICA articles completed (Desirable)
• Experience in the real estate industry would be advantageous (Desirable)
• Experience in developing excel reports / SQL queries/ models / BI dashboards (Essential)
• Experience in Copilot studio (Desirable)

Education:

• BCom / BCompt / equivalent finance or accounting degree (essential).
• Honours degree or part qualified CA(SA) (advantageous).
• Data analytics capability. Power BI certification (e.g., Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate) and advanced Excel and SQL proficiency (essential).

Competency Requirements:

 Essential

• Analysing
• Applying Expertise and Technology
• Planning and Organising
• Delivering Results and Meeting Deadlines
• Attention to Detail
• Problem Solving
• Working with Data and Numbers
• Presenting and Communicating Information
• Writing and Reporting
• Summarising

Desirable

• Learning and Researching
• Continuous Improvement Mindset