Project Accountant (Initial 12 months fixed-term))

Work Schedule

Standard (Mon-Fri)

Environmental Conditions

Office

Job Description

Thermo Fisher Scientific is seeking a Project Accountant to support the business with a business divestiture. This is a hybrid, fixed-term contract position based in Woodlands, Johannesburg. We require a strong independent person and self-starter—an experienced finance professional accountant with experience in divestitures and project management in finance. This role sits within the Specialty Diagnostics Group (SDG Division) at Thermo Fisher, where you will be part of a team dedicated to enabling customers to increase the speed of healthcare delivery, improve patient outcomes, and increase access to health.

DESCRIPTION

What you will do:

Support the Finance Manager with finance-related project workstreams and deliverables associated with the divestiture

Coordinate and track finance project activities, actions, dependencies, risks and key milestones

Provide hands-on project accounting support and ensure accurate and timely accounting for project-related activities

Support month-end close, balance sheet reconciliations, financial reporting and other core accounting activities

Maintain strong financial controls and ensure compliance with company accounting policies and procedures

Manage and support SARS requirements, including relevant tax and statutory submissions, queries and engagements

Liaise with other regulatory and statutory bodies as required and ensure applicable compliance requirements are met

Identify, investigate and resolve accounting and finance-related issues arising during the project

Partner with Finance, Tax, Legal, Operations and other cross-functional stakeholders to support successful project execution

Support financial data preparation, analysis, reconciliations and validation required for separation activities

Assist with the establishment and documentation of appropriate finance processes and controls for the remaining business

Support internal and external audit requirements

Identify opportunities to improve, simplify and strengthen finance processes and controls

Support business continuity by assisting with broader Finance activities and priorities throughout the transition period

REQUIREMENTS

How you will get here:

Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree in Accounting, Finance or a related field

Minimum 5 years' relevant financial accounting experience, preferably within a complex or multinational organisation

Strong hands-on financial accounting experience, including month-end close, reconciliations, financial reporting and internal controls

Demonstrated project management experience, with the ability to coordinate workstreams, manage deliverables and work to project timelines

Experience working with SARS and other relevant regulatory bodies, including managing tax, statutory and regulatory compliance requirements

Experience supporting business transformation, separation, integration, restructuring or other complex finance projects would be advantageous

Strong knowledge of accounting principles and financial controls

Advanced Excel skills and experience working with ERP systems; SAP experience preferred

Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities

Ability to work independently, take ownership and proactively drive activities to completion

Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines

Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to work effectively across functional teams

Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced and changing environment

Professional fluency in English

The ideal candidate is a hands-on Project Accountant who combines strong financial accounting fundamentals with practical project management experience. They should be comfortable working through ambiguity, proactively identifying and resolving issues, and taking ownership of deliverables while working under the overall leadership of the Finance Manager.