Intern: Financial Accountant

Job Description

Purpose of the Role

The Financial Accountant Intern will be embedded within the Finance & Accounting Division and will support day-to-day accounting operations, financial reporting, and internal controls activities. Critically, this role is aligned to a globally operating environment and requires exposure to Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance, audit readiness, and IT/infrastructure control frameworks. The successful candidate will gain practical experience across the full accounting cycle while contributing to the organisation's internal control and compliance objectives. He or she will work closely with internal stakeholders, shared services teams, and auditors, playing a key role in month-end closing, statutory reporting, and control assurance within a complex manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

General Ledger & Core Accounting

• Reconcile financial transactions within Oracle Fusion Cloud General Ledger.
• Process month-end journal entries including accruals, prepayments, and reclassifications.
• Support month-end and year-end close activities, ensuring adherence to global close calendars.
• Perform account reconciliations and ensure ledger balances are substantiated with supporting documentation.

Accounts Payable & Receivable

• Assist with debtor management in accordance with global payment terms and segregation-of-duties (SOD) policies.
• Ensure AR and AP transactions are accurately processed and reconciled to the general ledger.
• Assist to prepare and maintain ageing analysis for both creditors and debtors.
• Perform supplier and customer statement reconciliations, flagging reconciling items for escalation.

Bank Reconciliation & Treasury Support

• Perform daily and monthly bank reconciliations across multiple entities and currencies.
• Assist with period-end foreign exchange revaluation of balance sheet monetary items in line with IAS 21.

Financial Reporting & Analysis

• Assist in preparation of monthly management accounts, board packs, and supporting schedules.
• Assist to compile variance analysis comparing actuals to budget, forecast, and prior period.
• Support preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS.

Tax & Regulatory Compliance

• Assist with VAT201 preparation and submission to SARS; support cross-border VAT treatment reviews.
• Support PAYE, UIF, and SDL calculations and employer reconciliations (EMP501).
• Maintain statutory records in compliance with South African and applicable international tax legislation.

Audit Readiness & Support

• Compile and maintain audit-ready schedules, reconciliations, and support documentation throughout the year.
• Assist with internal and external audit fieldwork, including preparing requested schedules and responding to audit queries.
• Support Internal Audit in process walkthroughs, test of controls, and substantive testing across key financial cycles (P2P, O2C, R2R).
• Ensure documentation is complete, cross-referenced, and filed in accordance with the audit evidence policy.
• Track and monitor audit findings and management action plans (MAPs); assist in preparing status updates for the Audit Committee.
• Contribute to the preparation of the annual external audit file, including reconciliation of draft financial statements to trial balance.

Technical Knowledge & Skills

• Sound understanding of fundamental accounting principles (double-entry, accrual basis, IFRS / IFRS for SMEs).
• Working knowledge of SOX requirements, including control documentation, testing, and evidence standards.
• Familiarity with IT General Controls (ITGC) concepts: access management, change management, operations, and availability.
• Understanding of audit methodologies — risk-based audit approach, test of controls, and substantive procedures.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (formulas, pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP).
• Familiarity with ERP systems — Oracle Fusion Cloud, or similar enterprise platforms.
• Basic knowledge of South African tax legislation (VAT, PAYE, Income Tax) and cross-border transaction treatment.

Qualifications

• BCom Accounting, BCom Financial Management, or equivalent NQF Level 7 qualification (completed or final year of study).
• Candidates enrolled in a SAICA or SAIPA training program will be advantaged.

Additional Information

Personal Attributes

• High degree of integrity, professional judgement, and ethical conduct — essential in a controls and compliance environment.
• Detail-oriented with a structured approach to documentation and evidence management.
• Proactive in identifying control weaknesses, reconciling differences, and escalating risks.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset; comfortable working with large data sets.
• Ability to manage competing deadlines in a fast-paced, globally aligned organisation.
• Team player with effective written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Resilient, self-motivated, and committed to continuous professional development.

What We Offer

• Structured mentorship by experienced finance and controls professionals within a globally aligned environment.
• Hands-on exposure to Oracle Fusion Cloud Financials and reporting.
• Practical training in SOX compliance, and audit support — highly sought-after skills in global finance.
• Involvement in financial reporting cycles, and ERP process design projects.
• A professional, collaborative environment committed to the candidate's growth and career progression.

What could you accomplish in a place that puts People First?

At Wabtec, it’s not just about a job - it’s about the impact you make. When our people come together, we’re Expanding the Possible by continuously improving what we do and how we do it - for our clients and each other.

If you’re ready to revolutionize how the world moves for future generations, Wabtec is the place for you.
 

Who are we?

Wabtec is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions, and value-added services for the freight and transit rail sectors. Drawing on more than 150 years of experience, we are leading the way in safety, efficiency, reliability, innovation, and productivity. Whether it’s freight, transit, ports, logistics, mining, industrial, or marine, our expertise, technologies, and people together – are accelerating the future of transportation. With roots that date back to George Westinghouse, Thomas Edison, and Louis Faiveley, Wabtec has always built technologies and implemented solutions for a variety of sectors that are critical to meeting the needs of customers and governments alike.

Our global team of about 30,000 employees worldwide delivers performance that moves the world forward. We’re lifelong learners, obsessed with better. Learn more at www.WabtecCorp.com.

Culture powers us and the possibilities.

We believe the best ideas come from a mix of experiences and backgrounds. At Wabtec, we strive every day to create a place where everyone belongs. We’re building a culture where leadership, inclusion and your unique perspective fuel progress.

We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome talent of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities, including race, gender, age, disability, veteran status and more.

Need accommodation? Just let us know - we’ve got you.