Project Accountant (Initial 12 months fixed-term))

Work Schedule

Environmental Conditions

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.