DEPURT DIRECTOR: MANAGERIAL ACCOUNTING

The Free State Department of Education is advertising a senior financial management vacancy for a Deputy Director: Managerial Accounting, based in the Thabo Mofutsanyana District. This role sits within the department’s financial management structure and is responsible for leading the managerial accounting sub-directorate. The incumbent will provide strategic direction and oversight across budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, financial reporting, and policy compliance, ensuring that the department operates within the legislative and regulatory frameworks governing public finance. The position requires a strong combination of technical accounting expertise, leadership capability, and the ability to advise senior management on financial planning and resource allocation.

To be considered, applicants must hold a Senior Certificate together with a Bachelor’s Degree or Advanced Diploma in Financial Management or Accounting, or an equivalent qualification at NQF level 7 recognised by SAQA. A minimum of three years of relevant experience in management accounting at a supervisory or management level is required. The role demands a thorough working knowledge of the Labour Relations Act, the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, Treasury Regulations issued under the PFMA, the Free State Provincial Revenue Act, the Public Finance Management Act, Public Service Regulations, and performance management systems. Candidates should also demonstrate skills in policy analysis and development, people and financial management, problem solving, planning, organising, time management, strategic planning, communication, computer literacy, report writing, facilitation, coordination, leadership, and change management.

The duties of the post are broad and include monitoring the policy and legislative environment to stay abreast of new developments, developing and maintaining financial policies and processes, monitoring cash flow and submitting required reports and plans, and ensuring compliance with financial prescripts. The Deputy Director will provide advice and guidance on forecasting, manage and quality assure the budget preparation process, and coordinate the management accounting reporting cycle. The role also involves disseminating information on roll-over requests, developing proposals for submission to the Chief Financial Officer, ensuring approved roll-overs are incorporated into adjustment budgets, assessing the need for additional funds through expenditure trend monitoring, and proposing virement or shifting of funds. In addition, the incumbent will be responsible for maintaining discipline, managing staff performance and development, undertaking human resource and administrative functions, establishing effective communication arrangements, developing and managing the sub-directorate’s operational plan, implementing work control processes, compiling administrative reports, serving on transversal task teams, overseeing procurement and asset management, allocating work, quality controlling outputs, and providing technical advice.

The department has indicated its intention to promote representativity, with preference given to applicants from designated groups, particularly people with disabilities, women, and youth. Shortlisted candidates will be subjected to personnel suitability checks, including criminal record verification, citizenship verification, financial record checks, and qualification verification, and may be required to consent to access to their social media accounts. Foreign qualifications must be evaluated by SAQA, and non-RSA residents will need to submit proof of permanent residence if shortlisted. New appointments in the public service must participate in the Government Employee Medical Scheme to qualify for a medical subsidy. As this is a senior management post, the successful candidate may need to complete the Nyukela Pre-Entry Certificate for entry into the Senior Management Service, as endorsed by the National School of Government. Applicants who accepted voluntary severance packages are not eligible, and the department reserves the right not to fill the position. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, and those who do not receive notification within four months of the closing date should regard their application as unsuccessful.