Knowledge Centre

Why this matters: Financial Administrators bridge the gap between simple bookkeeping and advanced financial management. They ensure accuracy, reliability, and trust in the numbers that keep businesses running. 

Financial Administrator 

1. What It Is 

A Financial Administrator is the reliable middle of the finance team — between clerks and managers. They don’t just process transactions, they make sure the financial picture is complete. 

Financial Administrators typically: 
Support budgeting and cash flow 
Prepare financial and bank reconciliations 
Handle supplier payments and payroll 
Maintain ledgers and journals 
Ensure accuracy across income and expenses 

In short: Financial Administrators keep the numbers in order so that managers and CFOs can make the right calls. 

2. Why It Matters to You 

  • Step up from bookkeeping: This role shows you’re trusted with more responsibility — from reconciliations to payroll. 

  • Career stability: Every finance department and many outsourced practices need this function. 

  • Earning potential: Salaries rise quickly as you gain experience and recognition. 

  • Recognition: With a professional designation, you stand out as more than an “in-between” role. 

The Designation Advantage 

Many Financial Administrators already do the work of junior accountants — but without a designation, employers and clients can’t tell who is competent and accountable. 

When you hold the Chartered Financial Administrator (CFAdmin) designation, you show that you are: 

  • Trustworthy and reliable 

  • Committed to ethics and lifelong learning 

  • Accountable to a professional body 

  • A lower-risk, higher-value professional 

This designation also acts as a stepping stone toward becoming a Chartered Business Accountant in Commerce (CBAC) — proving to employers that you’re serious about growth. 

3. Where Do Financial Administrators Work? 

Almost everywhere: 

  • Corporate finance departments 

  • Municipalities and SOEs 

  • NGOs and schools 

  • Accounting and consulting firms 

  • Startups and SMEs 

  • Freelance or outsourced roles 

Wherever financial accuracy matters, you’ll find Financial Administrators. 

4. How Much Do Financial Administrators Earn? 

  • Entry level: R12,000 – R18,000/month 

  • Mid-level: R18,000 – R30,000/month 

  • Senior: R30,000 – R40,000+/month 

  • Freelance: R300 – R550/hour 

Designations like CFAdmin signal trust and competence — boosting both income and job security. 

5. Skills You Need 

  • Intermediate accounting knowledge 

  • Strong Excel and accounting software skills (Sage, Xero, QuickBooks) 

  • Reconciliation and reporting skills 

  • Accuracy, integrity, and time management 

  • Ability to work across teams 

You’re often the go-to person for supplier queries, payroll issues, and system cleanups. 

6. Career Path 

Here’s how Financial Administrators typically grow: 
Start → Accounting Clerk or Bookkeeper 
Next → Financial Administrator 
Then → Assistant Accountant or Financial Accountant 
Eventually → Financial Manager, CFO, Sector Specialist, or Consultant 

With CIBA, the path forward is clear. 

6. Key Rules, Standards, or Requirements 

  • Companies Act – requires accurate record-keeping and financial reports. 

  • Tax Administration Act – links payroll, VAT, and reconciliations to compliance. 

  • CIBA Code of Ethics – ensures competence and integrity in financial reporting. 

  • Professional Software Standards – employers expect working knowledge of tools like Sage, Xero, or QuickBooks. 

7. How to Apply

  • Join CIBA – membership formalises your role in the profession. 

  • Apply for the Chartered Financial Administrator (CFAdmin) designation – recognition for your skills and experience. 

  • Maintain competence – CPD courses and software certifications keep you relevant. 

  • Plan your next step – CFAdmin is a launchpad to CBAC and beyond.