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

Tax Compliance and Risk Management 

•    Ensure compliance with all tax regulations and statutory requirements, by:

o    reviewing applicable local and international tax legislation,

o    validating tax positions and interpretations,

o    monitoring compliance adherence across entities,

o    escalating non-compliance risks to management.

•    Oversee preparation and submission of all tax filings, by:

o    reviewing corporate income tax, VAT, and statutory submissions,

o    validating accuracy and completeness of supporting data,

o    approving submissions prior to deadlines,

o    monitoring submission timelines and compliance calendars.

•    Manage tax audits and regulatory engagements, by:

o    coordinating responses to tax audits and inquiries,

o    reviewing documentation and supporting evidence,

o    liaising with regulatory authorities,

o    tracking and resolving audit findings.

•    Monitor tax changes and implement system and process updates, by:

o    analysing legislative changes and their impact,

o    advising management on implications,

o    coordinating updates to financial systems and processes,

o    validating implementation of required changes.

Financial Reporting Oversight 

•    Oversee non-regulatory financial reporting processes, by:

o    reviewing monthly, quarterly, and annual reports,

o    validating accuracy and completeness of financial data,

o    ensuring alignment with reporting frameworks,

o    approving reports prior to submission.

•    Ensure compliance with NRF reporting frameworks and requirements, by:

o    reviewing reporting standards and requirements,

o    validating reporting outputs against frameworks,

o    coordinating reporting inputs across stakeholders,

o    monitoring adherence to reporting timelines.

•    Oversee external audit coordination for NRF reporting, by:

o    coordinating audit preparation activities,

o    reviewing audit requirements and documentation,

o    liaising with external auditors,

o    monitoring resolution of audit findings. 

General Ledger Governance and Financial Structure    

•    Ensure governance of chart of accounts and account structures, by:

o    reviewing and maintaining account numbers,

o    validating structural changes and new accounts,

o    approving updates to chart of accounts,

o    monitoring alignment with reporting requirements.

•    Manage financial hierarchies and reporting structures, by:

o    reviewing financial trees and hierarchies,

o    validating alignment with organisational structure,

o    approving updates to reporting structures,

o    monitoring consistency across systems.

•    Oversee financial system configuration and controls, by:

o    reviewing posting rules and system controls,

o    validating configuration changes,

o    approving system updates,

o    monitoring system integrity and performance.

•    Control accounting period management processes, by:

o    approving opening and closing of accounting periods,

o    validating completeness of transactions prior to closure,

o    monitoring adherence to period-end processes,

o    resolving exceptions and delays.

Reconciliation and Financial Control Environment

•    Ensure completeness and accuracy of balance sheet reconciliations, by:

o    reviewing reconciliation outputs and supporting schedules,

o    validating accuracy of reconciled balances,

o    monitoring completion status across accounts,

o    escalating unresolved discrepancies.

•    Enforce resolution of outstanding reconciliation items, by:

o    reviewing aged reconciling items,

o    setting and monitoring resolution timelines,

o    coordinating with responsible stakeholders,

o    escalating long-outstanding items.

•    Strengthen internal controls and financial data integrity, by:

o    reviewing existing control frameworks,

o    identifying control weaknesses and gaps,

o    implementing control improvements,

o    monitoring effectiveness of controls.

Leadership and Capability Development

•    Lead capability development within the Accounting and Financial Management Division, by:

o    training and guiding staff on financial processes and compliance,

o    reviewing staff performance and development needs,

o    providing technical leadership and support,

o    monitoring application of training in operations.

•    Drive process improvement and system optimisation initiatives, by:

o    Identifying inefficiencies in financial processes,

o    recommending improvement initiatives,

o    overseeing implementation of process changes,

o    monitoring impact and sustainability of improvements.

Strategic Financial Governance and Oversight

•    Provide strategic oversight of financial data architecture and governance, by:

o    reviewing alignment between systems, reporting, and compliance requirements,

o    validating financial data structures across entities,

o    advising management on governance improvements,

o    monitoring implementation of governance frameworks.

Inherent Job Requirements

•    Bachelor’s degree or an advanced diploma/BTech degree/postgraduate certificate on NQF Level 7 in accounting or closely related field.

•    Minimum of three (3) years’ relevant working experience in tax, financial reporting or financial systems.

Recommendations

•    Experience within the higher education environment.

•    Knowledge of the university systems, policies and procedures.

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

Key Competencies:

•    Results Orientated:

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

-    The ability to deal calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

•    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 be self-assured and at ease with people in all types of social situations.

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

Assumption of duties:

01 July 2026 or as soon as possible 

Closing date:

12 June 2026

Salary:

The salary is available on request.

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 2558 / 9813 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.