DEPUTY DIRECTOR: MUNICIPAL ACCOUNTING & REPORTING

This position within the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Treasury, based in Pietermaritzburg, is a senior management role focused on strengthening municipal financial governance and reporting across the province. The Deputy Director for Municipal Accounting and Reporting operates within the broader context of provincial oversight, helping local government entities meet their financial accountability obligations. The role is central to ensuring that municipalities prepare credible annual financial statements and maintain sound financial management practices in line with national legislative frameworks.

Candidates must hold a three-year NQF7 qualification in Financial Accounting or Financial Management. A valid driver’s licence is required, though the department has made provision to assist people living with disabilities who cannot personally drive, ensuring they can still meet work-related travel commitments. Applicants need at least three years of junior management experience specifically within a municipal financial reporting, accounting, or management environment. The role demands an extensive working knowledge of GRAP standards as applied in local government, as well as a solid understanding of the Standards for the Professional Practices of Internal Auditing and generally accepted accounting principles. A detailed grasp of public sector financial management systems and relevant legislation is essential, including the Constitution, PFMA and Treasury Regulations, the Municipal Finance Management Act, the Municipal Systems Act, the Municipal Structures Act, the Local Government Transition Act, and various provincial acts and regulations. Familiarity with the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy, National Treasury guidelines, performance measurement best practices, asset management principles, and public finance management practices is also required.

The core duties involve coordinating support to municipalities in compiling their annual financial statements in compliance with GRAP standards. This includes providing broader financial management support, coordinating audit readiness and review processes, and ensuring that municipalities are prepared for audits. The role also requires coordinating consultative support and liaison services with stakeholders, which means building and maintaining effective relationships across the local government sphere. Managing the resources of the sub-directorate is another key responsibility, encompassing people management, budgeting, planning, and the coordination of various service providers. The position further involves monitoring, forecasting, and following up on financial matters, as well as leading training and mentoring initiatives to build capacity within municipalities.

The successful candidate will need a wide range of competencies, including innovative and analytical thinking, decisiveness, leadership, and strong interpersonal relations. Risk management, conflict management, problem-solving, and advanced verbal communication and presentation skills are essential, along with proficiency in MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and internet-based research. Report writing, project management, change management, and statistical or quantitative analysis are also important. The department has indicated a preference for African females, African males, and people living with disabilities who meet the requirements, in line with equity targets. This is an OSD-graded senior position offering an all-inclusive remuneration package, and it presents an opportunity for an experienced financial professional to make a meaningful impact on municipal financial accountability in KwaZulu-Natal.