Sumer

Director of Professional Services

Sumer

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Hybrid

Location: Johannesburg • South Africa

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Job Level

Lead

About the role

  • Act as the primary relationship partner for a portfolio of SME clients across various industries, building trusted advisor relationships.
  • Proactively identify client needs, risks, and opportunities, providing practical, value-added advice
  • Participate in client meetings, board meetings, and strategic discussions as required
  • Support business development initiatives, including proposals, pitches, and onboarding of new clients
  • Oversee and review the preparation of annual financial statements in accordance with IFRS for SMEs and other applicable frameworks
  • Ensure accurate, timely, and compliant financial reporting for SME clients
  • Provide technical guidance on complex accounting matters
  • Review management accounts and provide insights on performance, cash flow, and profitability
  • Lead and sign off independent reviews in accordance with ISRE 2400
  • Ensure compliance with professional standards, ethical requirements, and regulatory obligations
  • Manage review engagements from planning through to completion and reporting
  • Liaise with clients to explain review findings and recommendations clearly and professionally
  • Lead, mentor, and develop managers, supervisors, and junior professional staff
  • Foster a culture of technical excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement
  • Review work performed by teams, providing constructive feedback and technical coaching
  • Assist with resource planning, workflow management, and capacity optimisation
  • Contribute to firm strategy, governance, and decision-making at director/partner level
  • Ensure compliance with SAIPA / ACCA / SAICA requirements and firm quality control policies
  • Manage risk, including client acceptance, continuance, and ethical considerations
  • Monitor engagement profitability, billing, and recoveries

Requirements

  • Strong knowledge of IFRS for SMEs and South African accounting standards
  • Proven experience in financial statement preparation and conducting independent reviews (ISRE 2400)
  • Sound tax knowledge relevant to SMEs (income tax, VAT, provisional tax)
  • Ability to interpret and explain financial information to non-financial stakeholders
  • **Commercial & Relationship Skills**
  • Strong client-facing and relationship management capabilities
  • Commercially astute with a deep understanding of SME business environments
  • Ability to identify cross-selling and value-added service opportunities
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • **Leadership & Personal Attributes**
  • Proven leadership experience within a professional services or accounting firm
  • High level of integrity, professionalism, and ethical judgement
  • Results-driven with strong organisational and time management skills
  • Ability to work autonomously while contributing effectively at leadership level
Benefits
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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools
IFRS for SMEsfinancial statement preparationindependent reviewsISRE 2400tax knowledgeincome taxVATprovisional taxfinancial reportingperformance analysis
Soft Skills
relationship managementclient-facing skillscommunication skillsleadershipintegrityprofessionalismethical judgementorganisational skillstime managementautonomy
Certifications
SAIPAACCASAICA