Client-Facing Accountant & Bookkeeper (Growth & Advisory)
Location: Rosebank, Johannesburg (Full-time | In-office)
Department: Accounting & Tax
Reports to: Senior Management
Before You Apply
This role is perfect for someone who wants more than just data capturing and compliance work. If you enjoy understanding how businesses operate, engaging with clients, and adding real value through insights and advice, you’ll thrive here.
We’re looking for someone who:
- Enjoys learning how a client’s business truly works
- Can offer practical, tax-aware guidance
- Spots opportunities to help clients grow
- Is comfortable meeting with clients and prospects
- Likes building smart systems that make monthly work run smoothly
About Latita Africa
Latita Africa is a specialist tax, legal, and advisory firm supporting entrepreneurs, growing businesses, and high-net-worth individuals across South Africa and the continent.
Our expertise includes:
- Accounting and tax compliance
- SARS disputes and tax debt management
- Corporate and commercial advisory
- Cross-border and regulatory structuring
We’re based in Rosebank and in an exciting growth phase. Our structures are being built (not inherited), so we value people who take ownership, think independently, and are comfortable with responsibility.
Role Overview
This is a blended role with two key focus areas:
1. Accountant / Bookkeeper
You’ll manage the full accounting function for a portfolio of clients, from source documents through to management accounts and year-end preparation.
2. Advisor & Growth Partner
You’ll develop a strong understanding of each client’s business and tax position, proactively highlighting risks and opportunities and identifying additional services Latita can offer.
You’ll work closely with our tax and legal teams and engage directly with clients and prospects.
Key Responsibilities
1. Core Accounting & Bookkeeping
- Process transactions: banks, suppliers, customers, and payroll
- Maintain general ledger, debtors, and creditors
- Perform reconciliations:
- Bank
- Debtors
- Creditors
- VAT
- Control accounts
- Prepare monthly management accounts and reports
- Support year-end processes:
- Working papers
- Audit packs
- Draft financial statements
2. Client Understanding & Tax Awareness
- Understand client business models, cash flow, and tax positions
- Identify inefficiencies, risks, and opportunities
- Make practical recommendations on:
- Cash flow management
- Tax-efficient structuring (within scope)
- Allowable deductions and reliefs
- Collaborate with tax and legal teams to align strategies
3. Business Growth & Additional Scope
- Identify further opportunities for existing clients such as:
- Clean-ups
- Restructuring
- Tax reviews
- Advisory projects
- Present opportunities clearly to management (value, scope, risk)
- Participate in prospect meetings to:
- Understand client needs
- Explain services in simple terms
- Build trust and confidence
- Assist with proposals, quotes, and scoping
- Support revenue growth and billables
4. Processes, Systems & Efficiency
- Build and maintain checklists and workflows for:
- Monthly deliverables
- VAT and PAYE cycles
- Provisional tax
- Income tax
- Year-end prep
- Keep files organised and review-ready
- Suggest and implement process improvements
- Work with and optimise accounting systems:
- Xero
- Sage
- QuickBooks Online
- Pastel
- Introduce automation and reporting enhancements where suitable
5. Client Communication & Relationships
- Communicate proactively about:
- Missing information
- Deadlines
- Risks and issues
- Engage through calls and meetings, not only email
- Build strong, long-term client relationships
- Become a trusted first point of contact for clients
Minimum Requirements (Non-Negotiable)
Education
Relevant accounting qualification, such as:
- BCom Accounting / Financial Accounting / Financial Management
- National Diploma / Advanced Certificate in Accounting
Experience
- 4–5 years recent hands-on accounting/bookkeeping experience
- Preferably within an accounting or audit practice
- Proven ability to take clients from raw data to:
- Clean trial balances
- Monthly management accounts
- Year-end files
- Solid VAT and PAYE experience, including SARS reconciliations
Technical Skills
- Proficient in at least two of:
- Strong Excel skills (filters, lookups, pivots an advantage)
- Good accounting knowledge with tax awareness
- SARS eFiling experience (or ability to learn quickly)
Working Style
- Comfortable managing multiple clients and deadlines
- Detail-focused but practical
- Proactive problem-solver
- Confident in client conversations and meetings
Desired Skills:
- Accounting
- Tax
- Advisory
- Bookkeeping
- Management Accountant
