Are you an ambitious and detail-oriented Accounting graduate looking to kickstart your career in financial management? The Prestige Cosmetics Group in Cape Town, Western Cape, is offering a 12-month contract for a Graduate Accountant at their ARC division. This role provides a valuable opportunity to gain hands-on experience in financial operations, bank reconciliation, asset management, and tax compliance, setting the foundation for a strong career in accounting.
About ARC and Prestige Cosmetics Group
Prestige Cosmetics Group is a leading company in the cosmetics industry, offering premium brands and beauty solutions across South Africa. The ARC division focuses on retail operations, requiring strong financial oversight to manage daily transactions, cash flow, and overall financial performance. As a Graduate Accountant, you will work closely with the Finance Manager (FM) to ensure financial accuracy and efficiency.
Key Responsibilities of the Graduate Accountant
This role is designed to help you develop essential accounting skills, focusing on:
1. Finance Function
- Bank Account Management
- Oversee all company bank accounts and ensure sufficient funds for payments.
- Conduct daily, weekly, and monthly bank reconciliations.
- Reconcile store monetary transactions against bank statements.
- Address and clear reconciling items timeously.
- Cash Flow & Payments
- Update and maintain the daily cash flow schedule, ensuring accuracy in banked sales and payments.
- Measure actual cash flow against forecasts and report discrepancies to the CFO.
- Load and process daily, weekly, and monthly payments on FNB or Standard Bank platforms.
- Handle foreign exchange (forex) documentation for submission to the bank.
- Reconciliations & Financial Reporting
- Prepare and maintain balance sheet reconciliations, ensuring all items are cleared and signed off monthly.
- Manage corporate credit card transactions and reconcile expenses.
- Assist in preparing VAT and income tax schedules for compliance.
- Ensure daily and monthly sales figures match bank records, resolving discrepancies.
- Support the year-end audit and compile necessary financial reports.
- Fixed Asset Management
- Maintain and update the Fixed Asset Register, ensuring alignment with financial statements.
- Track depreciation, verify invoices, and ensure capital expenditure stays within budget.
- General Finance Support
- Develop spreadsheets for budget planning, financial forecasts, and analysis.
- Assist in ad-hoc financial projects and internal control improvements.
2. Personal and Professional Development
- Proactively engage in training and development initiatives, including feedback sessions.
- Align work with the company’s values and standards.
- Take responsibility for department-related concerns and contribute to team collaboration.
- Regularly communicate with the Finance Manager, suggesting ways to improve processes.
Learn More: The 2025 Accountant Salary Guide: Trends and Projections
Skills and Competencies Required
To succeed as a Graduate Accountant, you should demonstrate:
- Decisiveness & Initiative – Ability to take ownership of responsibilities and make informed decisions.
- Strong Communication Skills – Work effectively with internal teams and external stakeholders.
- Attention to Detail – Ensure accuracy in reconciliations, reports, and data entry.
- Problem-Solving Abilities – Quickly identify discrepancies and suggest solutions.
- Adaptability & Resilience – Ability to handle changing tasks and business needs.
- Business Acumen – Understanding financial principles and how they impact company performance.
- Process Orientation – Ensuring financial tasks adhere to standard operating procedures.
Minimum Qualifications & Requirements
- Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
- A minimum average of 70 percent in university coursework.
- Technical Skills:
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
- Understanding of financial reporting and accounting principles.
- Personal Attributes:
- Reliable and committed to learning.
- High attention to detail.
- Strong analytical mindset.
- Enthusiastic about finance and accounting.
Why Apply for This Role?
- Practical Experience: Work in a real-world corporate finance environment.
- Industry Exposure: Gain insights into retail and cosmetics finance management.
- Professional Growth: Enhance your skills in financial analysis, tax compliance, and asset management.
- Mentorship: Work closely with experienced finance professionals, including the Finance Manager and CFO.
- Career Pathway: A successful tenure could open doors to permanent roles in finance and accounting.
How to Apply
If you are eager to start your career in accounting and finance, this is an excellent opportunity. Ensure you meet the qualifications and submit your application as soon as possible.
- Location: Cape Town, Western Cape
- Contract Duration: 12 months (Fixed-Term Contract)
- Industry: Cosmetics and Retail
- Division: ARC
Take the next step in your finance career—apply today.
The Graduate Accountant position at Prestige Cosmetics Group’s ARC Division is an exceptional opportunity for accounting graduates to gain practical experience in a corporate finance environment. This 12-month contract in Cape Town provides exposure to essential financial functions, including bank reconciliation, cash flow management, financial reporting, and asset management.
With mentorship from experienced professionals like the Finance Manager and CFO, this role will help you build a strong foundation for a successful career in finance and accounting. The cosmetics and retail industry is a dynamic field, and working in such a fast-paced environment will enhance your problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making skills.
If you are a self-motivated, detail-oriented, and ambitious accounting graduate, this is your chance to gain valuable industry experience and position yourself for future career growth.
Apply now and take the next step toward a rewarding career in finance.
