Accounts Payable Controller – Econofoods
- Company: Econofoods
- Location: Bloemfontein, Free State
- Department: ECO – Central Office
- Industry: Accounts / Finance
- Employment Type: Permanent
- Positions Available: 1
- Job Reference: AccountsCtrler.Aug2026.Finance
- Salary: Market Related
- Posted: 19 August 2026
- Closing Date: 23 August 2026
Job Overview
Econofoods is seeking an experienced Accounts Payable Controller to oversee the accurate, complete and timely processing and control of expense supplier accounts.
The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring supplier transactions, reconciliations and payments are processed correctly and in accordance with company policies, financial controls and approval procedures. The position will also support month-end and year-end processes, audits, supplier queries and continuous improvement within the Finance function.
Key Responsibilities
Accounts Payable Management
- Review supplier invoices for accuracy, completeness and correct processing.
- Verify supporting documentation and required approvals.
- Process supplier transactions accurately and within agreed timelines.
- Monitor supplier accounts for discrepancies, overdue items and unusual transactions.
- Investigate and resolve supplier queries and account discrepancies.
- Prepare and/or review creditor payment runs.
- Verify payment documentation and authorisations.
- Monitor creditor ageing and outstanding balances.
- Maintain accurate supplier account and master-data records.
Supplier Reconciliations
- Prepare and/or review monthly supplier reconciliations.
- Reconcile supplier statements against the accounting system and supporting documentation.
- Investigate and resolve reconciling items.
- Follow up on outstanding invoices, credit notes and payments.
- Ensure long-outstanding items are investigated and escalated.
- Complete reconciliations within month-end deadlines.
Financial Controls & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with company financial policies and procedures.
- Maintain appropriate internal controls within Accounts Payable.
- Identify opportunities to strengthen Accounts Payable controls.
- Ensure transactions comply with approval limits and authorisation procedures.
- Maintain proper segregation of duties.
- Ensure VAT is correctly captured and accounted for.
- Identify duplicate transactions, irregularities and potential control weaknesses.
- Maintain complete documentation for an audit-ready Accounts Payable environment.
Month-End & Year-End
- Ensure Accounts Payable transactions are captured accurately and on time.
- Assist with accruals and prepayments relating to supplier accounts.
- Apply appropriate month-end cut-off procedures.
- Identify outstanding invoices and commitments requiring accruals.
- Prepare supporting schedules for financial reporting.
- Support internal and external audits.
- Assist with resolving audit queries.
Reporting & Monitoring
- Prepare and maintain Accounts Payable reports.
- Monitor creditor ageing and upcoming supplier payments.
- Report outstanding balances and unresolved reconciliation items.
- Identify unusual account movements, duplicate payments and overdue balances.
- Provide accurate Accounts Payable information to Finance and business stakeholders.
- Support cash-flow planning by providing visibility of upcoming supplier payments.
- Monitor Accounts Payable performance indicators.
Supplier & Internal Stakeholder Support
- Act as a key contact for supplier account queries and escalations.
- Resolve complex supplier discrepancies.
- Liaise with internal departments regarding invoices, purchase orders, receiving, pricing and approvals.
- Maintain effective relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
- Communicate payment information and outstanding requirements clearly.
Finance Team Support
- Provide guidance to Accounts Payable/Creditors employees when required.
- Assist colleagues with complex reconciliations and supplier queries.
- Promote consistent application of Accounts Payable procedures.
- Share finance system and process knowledge with team members.
Systems & Process Improvement
- Identify opportunities to improve Accounts Payable processes and efficiencies.
- Ensure accounting systems are used correctly and consistently.
- Maintain accurate supplier master data.
- Assist with finance system implementations, upgrades and process changes.
- Identify opportunities to reduce manual processes.
- Maintain and update Accounts Payable SOPs.
- Support initiatives aimed at improving financial data integrity and reporting.
Qualifications & Experience
Applicants should have:
- A Diploma or relevant tertiary qualification in Accounting, Finance, Financial Management or a related field.
- Strong practical experience with supplier reconciliations and creditor payment processes.
- Experience with high-volume supplier accounts will be advantageous.
- Practical experience with month-end financial processes.
- Working knowledge of VAT and financial controls.
- Experience supporting internal and/or external audits will be advantageous.
- Experience in retail, wholesale, FMCG or another high-volume environment will be advantageous.
Systems & Technical Skills
- Proficiency in an ERP/accounting system such as Sage, SAP, Pastel, Xero or similar.
- Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
- Strong understanding of Accounts Payable processes and financial controls.
- Understanding of general ledger allocations, cost centres, accruals and prepayments.
- Ability to accurately analyse and reconcile financial information.
Application Information
Interested candidates who meet the requirements are encouraged to submit their applications through the Econofoods application portal.
Closing Date: 23 August 2026