Houst

Property management for short-term rentals

Junior Accountant

BookkeepingUpdated on Nov 10

Full-timeCape Town, South AfricaZAR18k - ZAR20k /mo

About the Job

Requirements

Proven experience in a finance or accounting role, typically 2+ years.
A degree in Finance or Accounting; a professional qualification is preferred. A directly related field is acceptable for the minimum degree requirement, while diplomas or certificates without a degree are not accepted.
Experience with invoice processing, payment runs, and bank reconciliations.
Strong understanding of accounting principles and standards, such as IFRS or GAAP.
Experience supporting month-end close processes and preparing financial reports.
Background working with financial controls and compliance frameworks.
Proficiency in accounting software such as Xero, QuickBooks, or Pastel.
Strong Excel skills, including VLOOKUPs, pivot tables, and reconciliations.
Ability to identify and implement process improvements, especially automation.
Confidence working with non-finance teams, explaining issues clearly, and following them up.
Close attention to detail and curiosity to identify why transactions went wrong, not just correct them.
Understanding of cash flow management and working capital principles.
Exposure to multi-currency environments and international payment processes.
Knowledge of compliance and regulatory frameworks relevant to accounts payable.
Must be currently based in Cape Town.
Ability to work the stated hours: 09:00–18:00 UK time, corresponding to 10:00–19:00 or 11:00–20:00 in South Africa depending on the time of year.

Responsibilities

Run the full accounting cycle up to trial balance for several group entities in Xero.
Prepare monthly bank, balance sheet, and intercompany reconciliations, and post journals and accruals.
Support the month-end close so management accounts are accurate and on time.
Identify and implement process automation to improve accounts payable efficiency, and develop and maintain financial controls to ensure accuracy and consistency.
Maintain Xero records, including the chart of accounts, contacts, tracking categories, and clearing accounts.
Serve as the main finance contact for the Operations team and resolve billing, payment, and data questions so transactions reach the books correctly.
Issue invoices, track aged debtors, chase overdue balances, report on collections, and escalate long-outstanding items.
Check supplier invoices against approvals and prepare payment runs; ensure payments are timely, correct, and made in the right currency.
Work with finance and operations teams to support accurate reporting and smooth workflows.
Address and resolve escalated accounts payable issues and provide financial support and insights to internal stakeholders.
Apply and improve controls over payments and receipts.
Identify manual steps that could be automated and document the processes performed.

Desired Qualifications

A professional qualification.

Junior Accountant

Houst · Cape Town, South Africa (Hybrid) · Full-time · Posted 2026-11-10

Salary: unknown currency 216,000–240,000

Workplace: hybrid

Department: Finance

Description

Houst is hiring a Junior Accountant who will support both day-to-day accounting and the operational side of finance. You will keep the books accurate up to trial balance across several group entities. You will also work with the Operations team so clients pay on time, suppliers are paid correctly and automated transactions post as they should.

This is a hands-on role for someone who likes clean reconciliations and following an issue through to its root cause. You will report to the Finance Manager and work closely with Operations every day.

Please note: This role requires a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or a directly related field. Unfortunately, diplomas or certificates without a degree will not be considered.

Workplace: Hybrid, 2–3 days a week. There will be on-site interviews at our Cape Town office. Only candidates currently based in Cape Town will be considered.

Hours: Our working hours are 09:00–18:00 UK time. For candidates in South Africa, this is 10:00–19:00 (late March to late October) and 11:00–20:00 (late October to late March).

Responsibilities:

Run the full accounting cycle up to trial balance for several group entities in Xero.
Prepare monthly bank, balance sheet and intercompany reconciliations, and post journals and accruals.
Support the month-end close so management accounts are accurate and on time.
Process Improvement: Identify and implement process automation to enhance efficiency in accounts payable. Develop and maintain financial controls to ensure accuracy and consistency.
Keep Xero tidy: chart of accounts, contacts, tracking categories and clearing accounts.
Work with Operations: be the main finance contact for the Operations team. Resolve billing, payment and data questions so transactions reach the books correctly.
Collect debt: issue invoices, track aged debtors and chase overdue balances. Report on collections and escalate long-outstanding items.
Make payments: check supplier invoices against approvals and prepare payment runs. Ensure payments go out on time, to the right party and in the right currency.
Collaboration & Problem Resolution: Work closely with finance and operations teams to ensure accurate reporting and smooth workflows. Address and resolve escalated accounts payable issues. Provide financial support and insights to internal stakeholders.
Apply and improve controls over payments and receipts.
Find manual steps that could be automated, and document the processes you run.

Requirements

Proven experience in a finance/accounting role (typically 2+ years)
Degree in Finance/Accounting, and preferably a professional qualification
Experience with invoice processing, payment runs, and bank reconciliations
Strong understanding of accounting principles and standards (e.g. IFRS or GAAP)
Experience supporting month-end close processes and preparing financial reports
Background in working with financial controls and compliance frameworks
Proficiency in accounting software (e.g. Xero, QuickBooks, Pastel)
Strong Excel skills (e.g. VLOOKUPs, pivot tables, reconciliations)
Ability to identify and implement process improvements, especially in automation
Confidence working with non-finance teams, explaining issues clearly and following them up
Close attention to detail, and the curiosity to find out why a transaction went wrong, not just correct it
Understanding of cash flow management and working capital principles
Exposure to multi-currency environments and international payment processes
Knowledge of compliance and regulatory frameworks relevant to accounts payable

Benefits

23 days paid holiday days (plus public holidays)
An extra day off for your birthday - because who wants to work on their birthday?
Hybrid working model
Opportunities to innovate
Better Help coverage for mental health support
Laptop - for business use
Salary: R18,000- R20,000 per month (dependent on experience)

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About the Company

Houst

Property management for short-term rentals

Houst manages short-term rental properties for homeowners, focusing on platforms like Airbnb. It provides a full service package that includes professional photography, creating and managing listings across multiple sites, guest vetting, check-in coordination, and housekeeping. The service works by charging a commission on the rental income; plans are tailored for part-time or full-time hosts, and the goal is to optimize listings and operations to grow rental income. Houst differentiates itself by offering end-to-end, multi-platform property management with hands-on hosting support, rather than leaving owners to handle tasks themselves. The company’s main objective is to increase homeowners’ rental income, aiming for up to a 30% uplift through optimized listings and efficient property management.

Company size: 51-200
Company stage: N/A
Total funding: $23.7M
Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
Founded: 2015

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