Valuations Specialist, Pietermaritzburg

Sappi Southern Africa is seeking an accomplished Valuation Specialist to join our Forestry Division— a role central to safeguarding the financial integrity of one of the world’s most respected sustainable forestry businesses.

You will lead the valuation of our biological assets, manage complex lease portfolios, and guide key financial processes that underpin strategic decision‑making across the organisation. This is an opportunity to influence high‑level reporting, strengthen governance, and contribute to a business deeply committed to sustainability, innovation, and long‑term value creation.

If you are a finance professional with strong technical expertise, analytical depth, and leadership capability, this role offers the platform to make a meaningful impact.

The main responsibilities of this job are: Plantation Valuation

Lead the quarterly valuation of Sappi’s extensive biological assets.

Ensure full compliance with IAS 41 and IFRS 13.

Prepare detailed audit files, perform analytical reviews, and deliver valuation insights to senior leadership.

IFRS 16 Lease Management

Oversee IFRS 16 lease accounting across Sappi Southern Africa.

Assess new lease agreements, quantify financial impacts, and manage all related accounting entries, reconciliations, and disclosures.

Sundry Debtor Management

Manage the Forestry Division’s sundry billing and debtor processes.

Oversee customer account creation, review ageing analyses, ensure billing accuracy, and drive timely collections to support divisional cash flow.

Fixed Asset Management

Maintain accurate and compliant fixed asset records.

Perform reconciliations between the asset register and general ledger.

Oversee physical asset verifications, monitor CAPEX, and ensure adherence to company policies and accounting standards.

Team Leadership

Lead and mentor the divisional cash book, sundry debtors, and office reception teams.

Set performance expectations, provide coaching, and ensure operational excellence and adherence to organisational standards.

The ideal candidate should have:

Honours degree in Finance, Accounting, Auditing, or a related field.

CA qualification is advantageous.

Proven experience in forestry valuation or biological asset valuation aligned to IAS 41 in advantageous.

Strong working knowledge of IFRS 16 lease management.

Demonstrated leadership or team management experience.

Exceptional analytical ability with strong attention to detail.

Proficiency in SAP and Microsoft Office.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across diverse teams.

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