JOB SPECIFICATION

SENIOR TAX ADMINISTRATOR / TAX COMPLIANCE OFFICER

Tax Compliance & SARS Administration

Location: Stellenbosch, Western Cape

Work arrangement: Full-time, office-based

Reports to: Tax Manager

Role level: Experienced / senior operational level, positioned between Tax Administrator and Tax Manager

About the Role

Honey Recruitment Specialists is assisting an established professional accounting firm in Stellenbosch with the appointment of a Senior Tax Administrator / Tax Compliance Officer. This is a developing role that sits directly below the Tax Manager and provides a step up from a traditional Tax Administrator position. The successful candidate will take ownership of more complex SARS matters, coordinate tax administration workflows, monitor outstanding cases and provide reliable day-to-day support to the Tax Manager, while escalating technical or higher-risk matters when required.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and resolve SARS eFiling queries, correspondence and tax administration matters for the firm and its clients.

• Act as a key operational support to the Tax Manager, tracking outstanding matters, prioritising work and providing clear progress updates.

• Investigate tax account discrepancies, refunds and payment allocation issues, including re-allocation of tax payments.

• Prepare and submit supporting documentation to SARS and follow up until matters are resolved.

• Prepare and process Tax Compliance Status (TCS/TCC) applications and Approval of International Transfer (AIT) applications.

• Coordinate updates to bank details, Registered Representatives, Public Officers and RAV information through the relevant SARS processes.

• Handle new client registrations and profile amendments on SARS eFiling.

• Prepare penalty and interest remission requests and assist with tax dispute or complaint processes.

• Follow up on tax return queries, refund matters and outstanding SARS requests; escalate unresolved or complex matters appropriately.

• Prepare and submit Dividends Tax and Donations Tax returns, ensuring accuracy and compliance with relevant deadlines.

• Liaise professionally with clients, SARS officials and internal accounting teams to obtain information and resolve queries.

• Attend SARS meetings or appointments where required and document outcomes and next steps.

• Maintain accurate client records, supporting documents, case notes and follow-up schedules.

• Monitor deadlines and workload, identify bottlenecks and help improve the consistency and efficiency of tax administration processes.

• Assist with quality-checking routine tax administration work and provide practical guidance or support to junior colleagues where appropriate.

• Complete other tax-related duties reasonably aligned with the role.

Minimum Requirements

• At least 3 years' relevant experience in tax administration, accounting or auditing, preferably within an accounting or auditing practice.

• Practical, hands-on experience with SARS eFiling and SARS tax administration procedures.

• Good working knowledge of SARS Online Query System (SOQS) and the handling of SARS queries, refunds, supporting documents and complaints.

• Experience with tax compliance applications, including TCS/TCC and AIT, plus Public Officer, Registered Representative and RAV updates.

• Experience preparing or processing Dividends Tax and Donations Tax returns, or demonstrable ability to take responsibility for these processes.

• Strong administrative, organisational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple matters and deadlines.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Outlook and Excel.

• Fluent in both Afrikaans and English, with strong written and verbal communication skills in both languages.

• Ability to handle confidential financial and client information with discretion and professionalism.

• Able to work in person at the client's Stellenbosch office.

Advantageous

• Experience with Greatsoft or similar accounting practice management software.

• Experience coordinating a tax administration workflow or acting as the senior operational contact for tax-related matters.

• Relevant taxation, accounting or finance qualification.

Key Competencies

• Strong ownership and follow-through on outstanding SARS matters.

• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.

• Professional, client-focused communication and relationship management.

• Sound judgement in prioritising work and identifying matters that require escalation.

• Proactive, dependable and comfortable working independently while supporting the Tax Manager.

• Able to maintain composure and professionalism when dealing with complex or delayed SARS matters.

Role Scope & Reporting Structure

This position is not intended to be a Tax Manager role. It is a more experienced, accountable role than a standard Tax Administrator, with day-to-day ownership of SARS processes, follow-ups and workflow coordination. The Tax Manager remains responsible for technical oversight, tax advice, higher-risk decisions and final escalation where appropriate. The exact division of duties can be refined with the client.

Position Details

Employment type: Full-time, permanent (subject to client confirmation)

Location: Stellenbosch, Western Cape

Work arrangement: Office-based; not remote or hybrid

Salary: Market-related and negotiable based on experience

Honey Recruitment Specialists*
Changing lives one placement at a time*