INTERNAL ADVERT: Please note that only staff members who are in the employ of the University of the Free State as at the closing date of this advertisement will be eligible for consideration for this post.

KINDLY TAKE NOTE: Applications may only be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website: https://ufs.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll  - Applications submitted through any other platform will not be considered.                                                                                                                            The system allows a maximum of eight attachments. To avoid upload issues, we recommend merging some or all documents into fewer files before submitting.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED!

To ensure your application is complete, you must submit ALL documents listed under the inherent requirements, as well as the following standard documentation:                                                                      

•    A detailed Curriculum Vitae.

•    Copies of your qualifications, or official proof of qualifications obtained (If you hold foreign qualifications, please include SAQA accreditation).

•    A copy of your identity document (South African ID or passport for foreign nationals).

•    Confirmation of employment in the form of a letter, appointment contract, service certificate, or recent payslip from your current or most recent employer (applicable to external applicants only).

Duties and responsibilities:

Client Support 

•    Address support and academic personnel queries and escalate difficult queries to line managers.

•    Provide training to academic/support staff on policies/processes.

Data Capturing 

•    Capture daily journal requests.

•    Balance and finalise daily subsystem and routine journals.

•    Capture year-end journals for financials.

•    Follow up on outstanding journals before the closure of month-end.

•    Capture Petty Cash Claims.

Compliance 

•    Ensure compliance with internal financial and accounting policies and procedures. This relates to procurement, reimbursement of expenses, travel and subsistence, general entity and account structure, electronic approval setup, journal processes and other relevant financial policies.

Quality Assurance 

•    Compilation of exception reports regarding foreign payments and other general ledger queries.

•    Generation and follow-up of exception reports on the general ledger, as well as electronic security, to ensure data quality.

Internal Reporting 

•    Generate and follow-up on exception reports and internal management reports on the general ledger data.

Process Administration 

•    Ensure all Cash advances, Travel Authorisations and expense claims are approved and followed up within agreed turnaround times.

Inherent requirements:

•    Bachelor’s degree or Advanced Diploma/B.Tech degree/Postgraduate Certificate on NQF Level 7 in Accounting. 

•    Minimum of two (2) years’ relevant working experience related to the duties and responsibilities.

Recommendations:

•    Experience within the higher education environment.

•    Knowledge of university systems, policies and procedures.

•    Professional membership to an accountancy body (attach proof).

 

Required competencies: 

•    Results Orientated:

-    The ability to stick with tasks, not give up, and overcome obstacles in completing one’s task.

-    The ability to be reliable, responsible, dependable and to fulfil obligations.

•    Strategic Thinking:

-    The ability to focus on details, work towards perfection, and approach work in a neat and organised manner.

-    The ability to carefully analyse information and use logic to address issues and problems at work.

•    Business Acumen:

-    The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.

-    Proficient in using MS Office.

•    Leading:

-    The ability to lead, take charge of situations, and offer opinions and directions to others. 

-    The ability to be cooperative with others, display a good-natured attitude and encourage people to work together.

•    Building Coalitions:

-    The ability to negotiate, sell, influence and to persuade others.

-    The ability to interact with others and establish personal connections with people.

Assumption of duties:

As soon as possible

Closing date:

19 May 2026

Salary:

The annual remuneration package, including benefits is R 464,881.91– R 585,370.51 per annum, depending on the budget available for the position, relevant work experience and qualifications.

Fringe benefits: 

(Subject to specific conditions): pension scheme, medical aid scheme, group life insurance, housing allowance, leave and sick leave, service bonus and study benefits.

Enquiries:

For enquiries, please feel free to contact 051 401 2979 or email JardineS@ufs.ac.za  or Recruit@ufs.ac.za. Additionally, kindly contact 051 401 9813 / 9848 / 2876 for assistance.

General:

The UFS is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity, and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups including candidates with disabilities. Our Employment Equity Plan is available at: 

ufs-employment-equity-plan_2025.pdf

The University processes personal information in line with its obligations under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and any personal information provided to the University will be treated as confidential and processed in accordance with the rights provided to data subjects under POPIA.

The University reserves the right not to fill the post. The UFS will only consider applications of candidates who meet all the inherent requirements of the position. Applications that are incomplete will not be considered. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. Should you not be contacted within six weeks of the closing date for applications, you may assume that your application was unsuccessful.