Trade Accountant

SUMMARY:
Introduction A growing organisation operating in commodity trading seeks a Trade Accountant to join its Finance Department in Stellenbosch. You will report to the Senior Trade Accountant and be responsible for the accurate accounting, reconciliation, and reporting of commodity trading transactions across physical and derivative markets. This role s...

POSITION INFO:
Introduction A growing organisation operating in commodity trading seeks a Trade Accountant to join its Finance Department in Stellenbosch. You will report to the Senior Trade Accountant and be responsible for the accurate accounting, reconciliation, and reporting of commodity trading transactions across physical and derivative markets. This role supports front, middle, and back office functions by ensuring timely trade monitoring, inventory valuation, profit and loss accuracy, and compliance with internal controls and external regulations across international markets. Key Responsibilities Record and reconcile physical and derivative commodity trades in the trading and ERP system, ensuring accurate and complete accounting Perform inventory reconciliations including silo, warehoused and in-transit inventory; ensure accruals are accurately recorded Reconcile purchase and sales contracts, freight, insurance, demurrage, and other trade-related costs to ensure correct reflection in accounting records Monitor open contracts and ensure timely recognition of revenues and costs; liaise with operations, logistics, and counterparties to resolve discrepancies Reconcile trader profit and loss to accounting records and investigate variances Prepare monthly trade profit and loss statements for each strategy Prepare balance sheet reconciliations related to trading activities and support month-end and year-end close processes Ensure compliance with IFRS and US GAAP, internal accounting policies, and adherence to internal controls and segregation of duties Assist with external audits and provide supporting documentation Liaise with traders, operations, logistics, suppliers, and external stakeholders (banks, auditors, customs agents) to facilitate smooth operations and resolve financial matters Support operational and strategic initiatives with financial expertise and understanding of trading economics Contribute to system improvements and process automation initiatives Requirements Matric and a degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or a related field Two to five years' experience in trade accounting within a commodity trading, energy, or shipping environment Proficient with Microsoft Office 365 and strong Excel skills Experience with PeopleSoft or similar ERP systems Teams and SharePoint proficiency Strong understanding of the physical commodity trading lifecycle Experience and deep understanding of profit and loss reporting and balance sheet reconciliations High attention to detail and ability to work under time pressure Good communication skills Curious and self-starter mentality Preferred: Power BI and process automation experience; experience working in a multi-currency, multi-entity environment; knowledge of derivatives and hedging instruments We look for candidates who embody respect, accountability, passion, collaboration, excellence, agility, and integrity in their work.