Financial Accountant Internship at Wabtec

Wabtec is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Financial Accountant Intern to join their Finance & Accounting Division in Johannesburg. This internship offers a unique opportunity to gain practical experience in a globally operating environment, focusing on day-to-day accounting operations, financial reporting, and internal controls. The role is designed for individuals looking to develop critical skills in areas such as Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance, audit readiness, and IT/infrastructure control frameworks. The successful candidate will be instrumental in supporting the organization's internal control and compliance objectives, working closely with internal stakeholders, shared services teams, and auditors. This position provides exposure to the full accounting cycle within a complex manufacturing environment, contributing to essential financial processes like month-end closing, statutory reporting, and control assurance.

Key Responsibilities

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

Why Join the Company

Wabtec offers a structured mentorship program led by experienced finance and controls professionals within a globally aligned framework. Interns will gain hands-on experience with Oracle Fusion Cloud Financials and reporting tools. The program provides practical training in SOX compliance and audit support, highly valued skills in the global finance sector. Participants will be involved in financial reporting cycles and ERP process design projects. Join a professional, collaborative environment dedicated to fostering candidate growth and career progression.

How to Apply

Please apply using the link provided: Click here to apply for this role.

• BCom Accounting, BCom Financial Management, or equivalent NQF Level 7 qualification (completed or final year of study).

• Advantageous: candidates enrolled in a SAICA or SAIPA training program will be advantaged.

• 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.

• High degree of integrity, professional judgement, and ethical conduct.

• 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.