Services, Systems and Project Accountant in Western Cape, Western Cape at Oxford University Press

Job Title: Services, Systems and Project Accountant
Location: Western Cape, WC, ZA, 7459
Salary: market related
Division: Group Finance
Department: Regional Shared Service Centre

Job Description:

Education

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Services, Systems and Project Accountant (Permanent Role)

About the Role

The Services, Systems and Project Accountant will provide specialist support across finance systems, internal controls, and financial processes within the Finance Shared Services environment.

The role is responsible for supporting and maintaining a strong control framework, supporting audit and compliance requirements, and enabling efficient, standardised, and well-governed finance processes. It also supports ongoing improvements in Finance systems and reporting through collaboration with business, Tech, and Finance Shared Services teams.

Operating as a subject matter expert, the role contributes to continuous improvement initiatives while ensuring adherence to internal policies, regulatory requirements, and best practices.

The Services. Systems and Project Accountant will report to the Financial Operations Manager. This post is based in Cape Town, at the Goodwood office.

In this role, you will:

Service Management:

• Support standardisation and simplification of finance processes across various streams including FSSC
• Collaborate with Business Process Owners to identify improvement opportunities
• Monitor adherence to finance policies, procedures, and service standards
• Support resolution of queries by external parities and internal stakeholders including FSSC within agreed SLAs
• Act as a finance processes contact point for business stakeholders, where required
• Review finance policies and procedures and recommend updates to improve efficiency

Control Landscape & Audit:

• Support implementation and monitoring of internal controls across SSC, SA, and EA
• Participate in Internal Control Framework (ICF) processes, including:
  • Control testing support (including self-assessment)
  • Tracking and follow-up of open action points
• Ensure compliance with and timely update of Africa Delegation of Authority (DLA) and segregation of duties including extending the knowledge within Finance and other Business functions
• Support audit processes by:
  • Preparing schedules and documentation
  • Coordinating responses to audit requests
• Assist in closing audit findings within agreed timelines
• Support preparation of financial statements, audit, group management and other reporting packs
• Maintain proper financial record retention in line with policy

Reporting & Governance Support:

• Support preparation and maintenance of monthly reporting packs
• Assist in maintaining Chart of Accounts integrity
• Ensure finance governance documents (e.g., LDLA) and policies are updated, approved and communicated in line with local requirements and ICF framework
• Support finance knowledge sharing across the business (Finance for Non-Finance)

Finance Systems & Process Support:

• Act as finance systems key user
• Support SAP access governance:
  • Review and support finance role approval requests
  • Ensure appropriate user access levels – assessment of segregation of duties in line with ICF framework
• Assist in system testing, issue resolution, and enhancement implementation
• Work with Tech and process owners to improve system utilisation
• Support documentation of finance processes and system procedures

Contribute to finance process improvements and system enhancements.

Support effective utilisation of finance systems and support the risk management process.

About You:

Essential Criteria:

• Graduate in Accounting or Finance from a university or a Degree in similar disciplines.
• Minimum 5 years working experience in Finance Shared Services of which 2-3 years’ should be in a publishing environment
• Experience in financial accounting and shared services environment
• Working knowledge of finance processes (P2P, R2R, R&R, AR, MDM)
• Understanding of internal controls and audit processes
• Experience using ERP systems (preferably SAP)
• Finance Shared Services task migrations.
• Strong Excel and analytical skills
• Problem-solving and process improvement mindset
• Working knowledge of digital and AI-enabled tools to enhance finance processes, including data analysis, reporting automation, and process optimisation

Desirable:

• ACCA, CIMA or equivalent

• Exposure to finance systems enhancements or projects

• Knowledge of reporting tools or data analysis

• Understanding of finance governance frameworks

• Good understanding of all other business processes within OUP

• Working knowledge of planning, budgeting & forecasting cycle

• Amicable Project Management Skills

• Excellent Presentation Skills

Closing date: 21 July 2026

Oxford University Press, an equal opportunity employer, seeks a talented individual to fill this post based at Goodwood, Cape Town. Oxford University Press will consider all applications in terms of its Employment Equity Plan, which acknowledges the need for transformation.

We are committed to supporting diversity in our workforce, and ensuring an inclusive environment where all individuals can thrive. We seek to employ a workforce representative of the markets that we serve and encourage applications from all.