Project Accountant | Johannesburg | Permanent

Are you a detail-driven finance professional who thrives in fast-paced, project-based environments? This role offers end-to-end ownership of project accounting within a complex, deadline-driven organisation.

The Project Accountant assumes full responsibility for the financial project cycle, ensuring accurate project registration, budgeting, billing, revenue recognition, and reporting across multiple divisions. Working closely with operational teams, this role plays a critical part in maintaining financial integrity, supporting cash flow, and ensuring projects remain commercially viable from initiation to close-out.

Reporting to the Financial Director, you will act as the key finance liaison for project-based activities, overseeing budgets, monitoring actual versus forecast performance, managing provisions, and ensuring compliance with financial policies and procedures. The role requires strong systems capability, excellent attention to detail, and the confidence to manage queries across clients, suppliers, and internal stakeholders.

Our client is a well-established organisation operating in a dynamic, event-driven environment. They are known for delivering high-profile projects that demand precision, accountability, and strong cross-functional collaboration.

What You’ll Do

• Take full ownership of the project accounting lifecycle across three divisions

• Register projects and load budgets with full supporting documentation

• Monitor budgets, manage transfers, and ensure projects remain self-funding

• Oversee accurate and timeous client invoicing and contract billing schedules

• Manage revenue and expense recognition in line with approved budgets

• Track actuals versus forecasts and prepare monthly project reports

• Monitor open POs, overdue projects, and project closures

• Support debtors management, invoicing accuracy, and cash flow reporting

• Maintain complete electronic project documentation and records

• Prepare general ledger journals, reconciliations, and monthly close processes

What You Bring

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a project accounting or similar role

• Post-matric qualification in Finance or progress toward a finance degree

• Strong Excel capability and solid numeric accuracy

• Hands-on experience managing large client accounts

• Sound understanding of cost breakdowns, VAT calculations, and deposits

• Proven ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines

• Strong communication skills and confidence working across all levels

What Success Looks Like

• Projects are accurately budgeted, monitored, and closed on time

• Revenue and expenses are recognised correctly and consistently

• Invoicing is accurate, timeous, and fully supported by documentation

• Financial reporting is reliable, clear, and delivered within deadlines

• Strong working relationships with operational teams and stakeholders