Senior Accounts Officer - Accounts Receivable & Accounts Payable

Location: South Africa, remote Employment type: Permanent, full-time Working hours: Monday to Friday, UK hours preferred. South African hours may be considered, provided reliable coverage of the accounts inbox is maintained. Preferred start date: 1 December 2026, or no later than 1 January 2027 Reports to: Co-founder and Director

About the Business

A London-based digital media and advertising sales business is seeking an experienced Senior Accounts Officer to take ownership of its day-to-day accounts function. The business represents premium publishers and works with advertisers and agencies across international markets.

This is an opportunity to become the first member of a growing South African finance team, with the potential to supervise a junior accounts colleague as the function develops.

About the Role

You will manage the accounts inbox and the full accounts receivable and accounts payable cycle, ensuring accurate invoicing, timely collections, supplier payments and clean ledgers.

The position requires a technically strong, organised finance professional who can work independently and communicate confidently with international clients, agencies, publishers and suppliers.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the accounts inbox and respond promptly and professionally to finance queries.
• Raise and issue invoices to international clients accurately and on time.
• Manage accounts receivable, monitor outstanding balances and follow up on overdue payments.
• Process supplier and publisher invoices and manage the accounts payable cycle.
• Reconcile accounts, investigate discrepancies and resolve billing queries.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date ledgers and financial records.
• Handle high-volume, multi-currency invoicing and transactions.
• Communicate with clients, agencies, publishers and suppliers to resolve account queries.
• Support the handover of the existing UK-based accounts function.
• Establish reliable processes and maintain an organised debtors book.
• Help develop the South African finance function, with the potential to guide a junior team member.

Experience and Qualifications

• Solid hands-on experience across accounts receivable, accounts payable and reconciliations, ideally four or more years.
• Experience invoicing international clients and handling foreign currencies; exposure to GBP, EUR and AED would be advantageous.
• Strong proficiency in cloud accounting software and Excel.
• An accounting degree or progress towards a relevant professional qualification, such as SAIPA, CIMA or ACCA.
• Experience in media, advertising or agency finance, including publisher payments and campaign billing, would be advantageous.
• Excellent written English and the ability to manage professional correspondence with international stakeholders.
• Confidence managing the day-to-day accounts function independently.
• Potential to grow into a supervisory role.

Personal Attributes

• Highly organised, accurate and attentive to detail.
• Self-motivated and comfortable working remotely with limited supervision.
• Clear and confident communicator.
• Professional and persistent when following up on overdue payments.
• Reliable and responsive during agreed working hours.
• Able to take ownership of queries and follow them through to resolution.

What Success Looks Like

Within the first 90 days, you will have taken ownership of the accounts function, supported a smooth handover from the UK, maintained accurate ledgers and established a well-managed debtors book.