A growing organisation in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal requires a Tax Consultant to support the finance department with day-to-day accounting and month-end closures. Responsibilities include processing transactions, maintaining the general ledger, preparing VAT returns, and assisting with annual financial statements. The role demands high accuracy and strong analytical skills. Responsibilities Statutory Compliance & Tax Assist with the preparation of provisional tax computations biannually and the annual income tax return, liaising with external tax practitioners to ensure full compliance with the Income Tax Act and minimising risk of penalties. Handle the preparation and submission of PAYE, UIF, and SDL returns to SARS on a monthly basis, ensuring employee tax deductions and employer contributions are correctly calculated, reconciled, and remitted within statutory deadlines. Prepare and submit accurate VAT returns via SARS eFiling within prescribed deadlines, reconciling the VAT control account to the general ledger and maintaining supporting documentation for audit verification and tax authority inspections. Financial Reporting & Management Accounts Analyse operational expenditure against approved departmental budgets, investigate significant deviations with cost centre managers, and present findings with corrective recommendations to the finance manager for review. Prepare monthly management accounts including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements with detailed variance analysis against budget and prior periods for senior management review and strategic decision-making. Manage the fixed asset register by recording acquisitions, disposals, and transfer journals, and calculating monthly depreciation in accordance with IFRS and the company's approved accounting policies and capitalisation thresholds. Perform full balance sheet reconciliations covering bank accounts, debtors, creditors, prepayments, accruals, and intercompany loan accounts on a monthly basis to ensure completeness and accuracy of the general ledger. Internal Controls & Process Improvement Conduct regular reviews of accounts payable and receivable processes to identify control weaknesses, reduce processing errors, and implement improvements that enhance operational efficiency while reducing fraud risk and financial losses. Automate recurring journal entries, reconciliation templates, and management report generation using advanced Excel functionality and accounting system capabilities to streamline month-end close processes and reduce manual effort. Develop, document, and implement internal financial controls and standard operating procedures across the finance function to strengthen the accuracy and reliability of financial reporting and safeguard organisational assets. Requirements A proactive approach to problem-solving with the ability to investigate and resolve complex reconciling items independently. A minimum of two to three years of practical accounting experience with exposure to the full accounting cycle in a commercial environment. A bachelor's degree or diploma in accounting, financial management, or a closely related field from a recognised institution. Thorough understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Practice and International Financial Reporting Standards in South Africa. Excellent time management and organisational skills to prioritise tasks effectively during peak reporting periods such as month-end. Demonstrated experience in preparing and submitting VAT returns via eFiling and maintaining knowledge of tax legislation changes. Qualifications SAICA or SAIPA Articles Completed or In Progress