Group accounting is a head office and parent company function that offers the opportunity to explore and understand the business performance of a whole group. Strong group accountants are highly sought-after in today's marketplace.
Group accountant Philippa Tate form a well known South African ICT services and solutions provider explains what to expect from this profession.
As a group accountant I prepare cost centre reports for various cost centres; prepare consolidated management accounts for all cost centres; control the fixed assets register; review debtors/creditors aging; review all items on the balance sheet monthly; prepare the monthly balance sheet file with schedules for all balance sheet items; prepare annual budgets for individual cost centres; and consolidated view of budgets for management.
The role interfaces with all levels of management and finance divisions across the business on a daily basis. This gives me exposure to all levels of seniority and a fantastic opportunity to network across different divisions within the business.
It's important that you are particularly good at attention to detail.
I enjoyed accountancy and maths at school – I was also quite good at it so it seemed like the obviously option.
The role interfaces with all levels of management and finance divisions across the business on a daily basis. This gives me exposure to all levels of seniority and a fantastic opportunity to network across different divisions within the business.
I would think a BCom Accounting would be preferential, but a general BCom would also be good. Work experience would also be helpful. I have been a debtors clerk, creditors clerk, assistant finance manager as well as a finance manager and I think all those roles helped me as a Group Accountant needs to understand the whole picture.
Audit and tax experience are often a prerequisite for the role so a practice background is often preferred.
Sometimes you gain the best experience in a job that maybe doesn’t pay the most but that lets you get exposed to a great deal and at the end of the day experience is so important.
If your ambition is to become a senior finance professional, this is a great role to progress your career. The majority of JSE-Listed finance directors and chief financial officers started their careers within group accounting.
How to become a chartered accountant
At Robert Walters in South Africa we've been successfully managing the careers of newly-qualified accountants for 15 years. So, we're well placed to offer you the help and advice you need at this key point in your career. If you are currently in high school your subject choice must include core math
Read MoreCareer path for newly-qualified accountants
Our accounting & finance recruitment team has been managing the careers of newly-qualified accountants for over 15 years. So we're well placed to offer you the help you need. Most CA (SA) start out in public practice as trainees and set out to achieve the CA qualification within three years. During
Read MoreThe role of a group accountant
Group accounting is a head office and parent company function that offers the opportunity to explore and understand the business performance of a whole group. Strong group accountants are highly sought-after in today's marketplace. Group accountant Philippa Tate form a well known South African ICT s
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