Finance Officer (Waveren Berries)

Overview

Waveren Berries is a leading blueberry farming operation based in the heart of Tulbagh. We are passionate about producing high-quality fruit while building a sustainable, efficient, and people-focused agricultural business. Our team works closely together in a dynamic farm environment where accuracy, accountability, and collaboration are key to success.

Responsibilities

• Process daily inventory journals during harvest to account for delivered fruit
• Conduct monthly stock reconciliations and ensure alignment with on-site inventory
• Monitor and manage blueberry inventory delivered to United Packhouse
• Maintain accurate transport and delivery documentation during the season
• Match grower returns to inventory records in NetSuite
• Request approval for write-offs of unbilled fruit or waste
• Ensure all delivery notes and signed documentation are accurately filed
• Perform ad hoc invoicing for recoveries and entity-specific charges
• Issue monthly statements and debtor reports by month-end
• Follow up on outstanding debtor payments (strictly 30 days)
• Escalate overdue accounts (31+ days) in line with SOP procedures
• Prepare payment requests in compliance with financial policies
• Maintain real-time creditors ageing analysis
• Ensure invoices are billed in the correct currency
• Open purchase orders daily as instructed by the Estate Manager
• Ensure correct GL allocation and alignment with approved budgets
• Match supplier invoices to approved POs and delivery notes
• Upload supplier invoices into NetSuite
• Void unapproved purchase orders
• Follow up on outstanding and unapproved POs
• Maintain signed-off reconciliations for audit purposes
• Conduct weekly bank reconciliations
• Perform customer and supplier reconciliations for Financial Accountant sign-off
• Process inventory journals for chemicals, fertilisers, and stock items
• Prepare and post month-end corrective entries from approved schedules
• Ensure intercompany loans, AP ageing, and AR ageing balance monthly
• Provide weekly feedback reports to the Estate Manager
• Contribute to monthly management accounts with variance analysis
• Liaise with suppliers and assist with organizing farm deliveries

Qualifications / Experience

• National Diploma in Accounting, Bookkeeping, or similar qualification
• Graduate or 1–3 years’ experience in a junior accounting or finance role
• Sound working knowledge of accounting systems (SAGE / NetSuite advantageous)

Technical Skills

• Strong computer literacy, particularly MS Office and Excel
• Excellent email and professional communication etiquette
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong understanding of basic accounting principles
• Process- and deadline-driven approach

Behavioural / Interpersonal

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong planning and organisational ability
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships
• Self-motivated and able to work independently in a farm environment

Why join Waveren Berries?

• Be part of a growing agricultural business with strong financial discipline
• Work in the scenic Tulbagh region, based on a working farm
• Gain hands-on exposure across all aspects of farm finance and operations
• Collaborative team environment with close interaction between finance and operations
• Opportunity to grow your career in agricultural finance and gain valuable industry experience
• Make a real impact by supporting operational efficiency and financial accuracy at farm level

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