Staff Accountant (1) - 21454

Our client is a Christian financial management firm specializing in outsourced accounting, bookkeeping, and advisory services tailored for churches and faith-based non-profit organizations. They partner with senior pastors, executive leadership, and boards of directors—ranging from new church plants to established $100M/year organizations—to ensure finances are accurate, compliant, and well-stewarded.

The firm offers independent contractors a high-trust, fully remote environment with long-term stability, direct client ownership, and the autonomy to manage end-to-end deliverables without micromanagement.

We are seeking an expert Senior Accountant based in South Africa to take full ownership of 5 to 7 client relationships within the faith-based and non-profit sector. In this high-impact position, you will drive full-cycle closes, perform complex balance sheet cleanups, enforce strict GAAP quality control, and present key financial insights directly to executive leaders.

You will bridge the gap between technical accounting rigor and clear financial storytelling, translating raw numbers into actionable narratives that help non-profit leaders make informed decisions. Exceptional attention to detail, proficiency in core cloud-accounting tools, and the ability to review financials for accuracy are essential to success in this role.

• Manage the full-cycle month-end and year-end close process for 5–7 client accounts, ensuring 100% GAAP compliance and audit-ready workpapers.

• Reconcile general ledger accounts, bank balances, prepaids, accruals, fixed assets, loan amortization splits, and payroll entries while maintaining organized workpaper documentation.

• Execute technical balance sheet cleanups, conduct account reviews, and perform internal financial audits to enforce a zero-defect quality control process prior to client distribution.

• Enforce quality control standards and ensure all accounting practices align with core accounting principles.

• Lead monthly 1-on-1 video presentation meetings with senior leadership and board members, translating complex financial statements into clear, plain-English insights.

• Perform detailed variance analysis to explain monthly budget shifts, departmental overspends, and revenue trends across client organizations.

• Mentor bookkeeping staff by answering routine accounting queries, supporting SOP development, and onboarding new team members on operational standards.

• Experience: Minimum 5 years of full-cycle accounting experience, including proven tenure as a Senior Accountant in public accounting, outsourced accounting firms, or corporate accounting.

• Systems Proficiency: Strong hands-on experience using QuickBooks Online, Bill.com, or Gusto, along with advanced Excel skills.

• Quality Control & Attention to Detail: Proven background performing financial audits, account reviews, and detailed quality checks.

• Technical Mastery: Deep mastery of GAAP compliance, balance sheet mechanics, fixed asset schedules, and loan amortization splits.

• Client Management: Demonstrated track record of directly managing client relationships and presenting financial reports to executive leaders or boards via video.

• Location & Hours: Based in South Africa, willing to work EST business hours to maintain team and client alignment.

• Industry Experience: Previous experience working in non-profit accounting, church finance, or faith-based organization management is a strong plus.

• Education & Credentials: Formal qualification in accounting, finance, or a related field (e.g., BCom, CA(SA), or progress toward ACCA).

The selection process typically consists of 3–4 stages:

1. Culture Interview: Alignment with values and organizational culture.

2. Core Competency Interview(s): 1–2 technical interviews with the Accounting Team focusing on hands-on accounting knowledge, QuickBooks Online mastery, and analytical capabilities.

3. Final Interview: Executive conversation with the CEO.