If you have recently completed a Finance, Accounting or related qualification and are looking for an opportunity to gain practical workplace experience, a Finance Internship at GBS, within the Cubix business unit, in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal could be worth considering.

The internship is structured as a 12-month paid programme designed to give graduates practical exposure to different areas of finance. Rather than focusing on one narrow accounting function, the programme provides exposure to creditors, reconciliations, VAT, financial reporting, procurement, revenue processes, audits, taxation, assets, stock and general financial administration.

For a graduate who has completed a three-year Diploma or Degree in a finance-related field but has limited workplace experience, this type of programme can provide an important bridge between tertiary education and the professional working environment.

The advertised requirements also make it clear that the organisation is looking for candidates who have more than academic knowledge. Applicants should be comfortable working with Microsoft Excel and Sage, understand basic financial principles and have an interest in learning how finance operates within a telecommunications-related business environment.

This article explains what the internship involves, what applicants should know about Cubix and GBS, the skills that could improve your chances, potential career paths after completing the programme, interview preparation tips and salary expectations for finance professionals in South Africa.

About the Finance Internship

The position is listed as an Intern Finance Graduate and falls under the Cubix division.

The programme is intended to provide graduates with hands-on exposure to financial operations while working alongside experienced employees.

The advertised programme lasts for 12 months and is paid, which makes it particularly relevant to graduates who need workplace experience but may struggle to enter the finance industry because many permanent positions require previous experience.

During the internship, the successful candidate can expect exposure to several finance processes.

These include:

• Creditor administration
• Supplier reconciliations
• Invoice verification
• VAT compliance
• Month-end journals
• Financial reconciliations
• Financial reporting
• Procurement administration
• Cash reconciliation
• Intercompany accounts
• Internal and external audits
• Tax reconciliations
• Revenue processes
• Invoicing
• Debicheck-related processes
• Variance analysis
• Stock counts
• Asset counts
• Finance administration
• Ad hoc finance projects

This broad exposure can be particularly useful for someone who is still deciding which area of finance they would like to specialise in.

About GBS and Cubix

The vacancy identifies GBS as the employer and Cubix as the relevant business division.

The role is connected to a telecommunications-focused environment, which means a Finance Intern can gain exposure to finance processes within a technology and telecommunications-related business rather than only a traditional accounting practice.

This can be useful because modern finance departments increasingly operate alongside technology, data, automated payment systems, procurement platforms and digital reporting tools.

For a graduate, working in this type of environment can provide an opportunity to understand how financial controls operate within a fast-moving business.

Cubix’s internship description also places emphasis on learning, collaboration, professional development and gaining meaningful workplace exposure.

The message behind the programme is therefore not simply to employ graduates temporarily but to give young professionals an opportunity to develop the practical skills needed for their future careers.

What Does a Finance Intern Do?

A Finance Intern supports experienced finance professionals while learning how accounting and financial processes operate in an actual business.

University and college courses can teach students accounting principles, taxation, financial reporting and finance theory.

However, there is a major difference between solving an accounting problem in a classroom and processing real business transactions.

In the workplace, financial information needs to be:

• Accurate
• Properly documented
• Authorised
• Reconciled
• Reported on time
• Properly stored
• Compliant with applicable requirements

A Finance Intern therefore has an opportunity to learn how theoretical knowledge is applied in practice.

Supporting Creditor Functions

One of the key responsibilities involves supporting bookkeepers with creditor functions.

Creditors generally relate to money that a business owes to suppliers.

For example, if a company purchases equipment, services or other supplies on credit, the transaction needs to be recorded and managed correctly.

The intern may assist with:

Supplier Reconciliations

A supplier statement needs to be compared against the company’s records.

The objective is to identify whether:

• Invoices are missing
• Payments are correctly recorded
• Credits have been processed
• Balances agree
• Duplicate transactions exist
• Outstanding amounts require investigation

This is an important practical accounting skill.

Invoice Verification

Invoices should not simply be captured without checking them.

The intern may need to assist with verifying information such as:

• Supplier details
• Invoice numbers
• Amounts
• VAT
• Supporting documentation
• Approvals
• Purchase orders

Accuracy is extremely important.

VAT Compliance

The internship also provides exposure to VAT-related work.

VAT is an important part of South African business administration.

The intern will not necessarily be expected to operate independently as a tax specialist, but having a basic understanding of VAT principles can be extremely useful.

Applicants should understand concepts such as:

• Output VAT
• Input VAT
• Tax invoices
• VAT reconciliation
• VAT returns
• Supporting documentation

The position specifically requests knowledge of VAT, SARS legislation and related tax processes.

Month-End Accounting

Month-end is one of the busiest periods for many finance departments.

Businesses need to close their accounting records and produce reliable information about their financial performance.

The intern may assist with:

• Journals
• Reconciliations
• Account reviews
• Supporting schedules
• Financial reports
• Variance investigations

This can provide valuable exposure to the accounting cycle.

A graduate who understands why month-end procedures are necessary will generally be better prepared for a permanent finance position.

Financial Reconciliations

Reconciliation is one of the fundamental skills in accounting.

It involves comparing two sets of financial information and investigating differences.

For example, a finance employee might compare:

Company records ↔ Bank statement

or:

Supplier statement ↔ Creditor ledger

or:

Intercompany account ↔ Corresponding company account

The purpose is to ensure that financial information is complete and accurate.

Finance graduates should take reconciliation skills seriously because they are relevant to many accounting positions.

Supporting Procurement

The intern will also assist Procurement with cost approvals and documentation.

Finance and procurement frequently work closely together.

Procurement may be responsible for obtaining goods and services, while Finance helps ensure that expenditure is properly authorised, recorded and accounted for.

This exposure can help the intern understand how purchasing decisions affect financial reporting and business costs.

Canteen Cash-Ups

An interesting responsibility in the vacancy is assisting with canteen cash-ups.

This involves reconciling cash received against recorded transactions.

Cash handling requires accuracy and accountability.

A finance intern may need to:

1. Count cash
2. Compare it with recorded sales
3. Identify differences
4. Document the reconciliation
5. Report discrepancies

Although this may appear simple, it teaches an important principle in finance: financial records must agree with the underlying transactions and supporting evidence.

Intercompany Accounts

The role also includes maintaining and balancing intercompany accounts.

Intercompany accounting occurs when transactions take place between related companies or business entities within the same group.

The intern can gain valuable exposure by learning how these transactions are recorded and reconciled.

This can become useful experience for graduates who later want to work in larger corporate finance environments.

Internal and External Audits

The internship provides exposure to both internal and external audit processes.

This can be particularly valuable because audits help businesses determine whether financial information and controls are operating appropriately.

An intern may assist by:

• Preparing supporting documents
• Retrieving financial records
• Performing reconciliations
• Answering information requests
• Organising audit evidence
• Following up outstanding documentation

This teaches graduates how important proper documentation is.

A transaction that cannot be supported by appropriate evidence can create problems during an audit.

Tax Reconciliations

The position also includes exposure to tax-related reconciliations involving areas such as:

• VAT
• EMP
• Income Tax

Applicants should therefore have a basic understanding of South African tax administration and the role of the South African Revenue Service (SARS).

You do not necessarily need to be a tax expert for an internship, but you should be willing to learn.

Revenue Processes

The Finance Intern will also support revenue-related processes.

This can include:

• Invoicing
• Debicheck processes
• Variance analysis
• Revenue administration

Revenue is obviously critical to any business.

Understanding how income moves from a customer transaction into the company’s accounting records can provide valuable commercial knowledge.

Stock and Asset Counts

The internship also provides practical exposure outside traditional bookkeeping.

The intern may participate in:

• Stock counts
• Asset counts
• Financial administration
• General finance projects

Physical verification of stock and assets can help finance professionals understand the connection between accounting records and physical resources.

For example, a company’s asset register might indicate that certain equipment exists, but physical verification helps confirm the actual situation.

Minimum Requirements for the Internship

Applicants should carefully review the requirements before applying.

The vacancy requires candidates to be South African citizens.

Applicants must also have a National Senior Certificate/Grade 12 and a three-year Diploma or Degree in a finance-related qualification from a recognised public tertiary institution.

Potentially relevant qualifications can include fields such as:

• Accounting
• Financial Accounting
• Finance
• Financial Management
• Accounting Sciences
• Management Accounting
• Commerce
• Taxation

The exact relevance of a qualification should be considered against the employer’s requirements.

Age Requirement

The internship is aimed at candidates between 18 and 35 years old.

This is important because applicants outside the stated age range may not meet the programme’s eligibility requirements.

Candidates should therefore read all eligibility requirements carefully before submitting an application.

Employment Status Requirement

Applicants must not currently be employed or participating in another internship or learnership programme.

This requirement is particularly important.

A candidate who is already working or participating in another programme should not simply apply without considering the eligibility rules.

Criminal and ITC Requirements

The vacancy states that candidates must have:

• A clear criminal record
• A clear ITC record

Applicants should therefore understand that successful selection may involve relevant background checks.

Why This Finance Internship Is Worth Applying For

1. It Provides Practical Experience

One of the biggest challenges faced by graduates is the “experience required” problem.

You have the qualification, but many employers want previous experience.

A structured internship helps address this gap.

2. It Is a Paid Internship

The programme is described as a paid 12-month internship.

This can make it more attractive than unpaid opportunities while still allowing the graduate to develop workplace experience.

3. It Covers Multiple Finance Functions

Instead of learning only one narrow area, the intern gets exposure to several functions.

That can help you determine where your strengths and interests lie.

4. You Can Strengthen Your CV

After completing the programme, you can list actual workplace experience in areas such as:

• Reconciliations
• Creditors
• VAT
• Reporting
• Audits
• Revenue
• Tax
• Procurement

That can strengthen future applications for permanent finance positions.

5. You Gain Corporate Experience

Working within a telecommunications-related organisation can provide exposure to corporate finance processes.

This can be valuable when applying for future positions in large companies.

Skills That Increase Your Chances

Meeting the minimum requirements is important, but certain skills can make an applicant more competitive.

Microsoft Excel

Excel is one of the most important practical tools for finance professionals.

You should ideally understand:

• SUM
• IF
• COUNT
• SUMIF/SUMIFS
• VLOOKUP
• XLOOKUP
• Filters
• Sorting
• Conditional formatting
• Pivot tables
• Basic charts

You do not necessarily need advanced Excel skills for an internship, but you should be comfortable working with spreadsheets.

Sage Experience

The vacancy specifically mentions Sage experience.

If you have worked with Sage Accounting, Sage Pastel or another relevant Sage environment, clearly mention this on your CV.

If you have only studied accounting software academically, do not exaggerate your experience.

Instead, explain honestly what you know.

Analytical Thinking

Finance is not only about entering numbers.

You need to understand what the numbers mean.

If a reconciliation does not balance, for example, you should be able to investigate why.

Attention to Detail

Finance departments cannot afford careless mistakes.

A small error in an invoice, tax amount or reconciliation can affect other records.

Communication

Finance professionals interact with:

• Suppliers
• Procurement
• Managers
• Auditors
• Customers
• Internal departments

Good communication is therefore important.

Integrity

Finance employees deal with confidential financial information.

Employers need people who can be trusted to handle information and transactions responsibly.

Career Growth Opportunities

A Finance Internship should not be viewed only as a temporary job.

It can be the beginning of a longer career.

After gaining experience, a graduate could potentially pursue positions such as:

Accounts Payable Clerk

This role focuses heavily on supplier invoices, payments and creditor accounts.

Accounts Receivable Clerk

This focuses on customer accounts, collections, receipts and outstanding balances.

Junior Accountant

A graduate with suitable experience can move into broader accounting responsibilities.

Finance Officer

Finance officers can work across different areas of financial administration and reporting.

Management Accountant

With additional experience and professional development, a finance graduate can move into management accounting.

Financial Accountant

This is another potential long-term career path involving financial reporting and accounting.

Tax Practitioner

Graduates interested in taxation can specialise in tax administration and compliance.

Internal Auditor

The audit exposure gained during the internship can be useful for someone interested in internal audit.

Financial Analyst

Strong Excel, analytical and reporting skills can support progression into financial analysis.

Professional Qualifications to Consider

Graduates who want to build a long-term finance career should consider professional development after completing their academic qualification.

Depending on their career objectives, they may explore professional pathways associated with organisations such as:

• SAICA
• CIMA
• ACCA
• SAIPA

The best route depends on your qualification and desired career.

For example, someone interested in becoming a professional accountant may follow a different route from someone who wants to specialise in management accounting or financial analysis.

The important point is to develop a long-term plan rather than treating the internship as the final step.

Interview Preparation Tips

If you are shortlisted, take the interview seriously.

Even though this is an internship, employers will want to know whether you can work professionally and whether you are willing to learn.

Research the Company

Learn about GBS and Cubix before the interview.

Understand the industry in which the business operates.

Think about why a finance professional is important in a telecommunications environment.

Know Your Qualification

Be prepared to discuss your:

• Qualification
• Major subjects
• Accounting modules
• Finance modules
• Projects
• Academic strengths

You may be asked about concepts you studied at tertiary level.

Revise Accounting Basics

Before the interview, revise:

• Debits and credits
• General ledger
• Trial balance
• Bank reconciliation
• Supplier reconciliation
• Customer reconciliation
• VAT
• Journals
• Financial statements
• Accruals
• Prepayments
• Basic taxation

Prepare for Excel Questions

You may be asked about your Excel experience.

Do not simply say:

“I know Excel.”

Instead, explain what you can actually do.

For example, you might mention using formulas, filters, lookup functions or pivot tables.

Prepare for a Reconciliation Question

You may be given a scenario such as:

“The supplier statement does not agree with the company’s creditor ledger. What would you do?”

A good answer would involve systematically comparing transactions, identifying missing or duplicated entries, checking payments and invoices, investigating differences and documenting the correction.

Prepare for an Ethics Question

You may be asked what you would do if you discovered a financial discrepancy.

The correct approach is generally to investigate appropriately, maintain documentation and report the matter through the correct channels rather than ignoring it.

Be Honest About Your Experience

Do not pretend to have experience you do not have.

The employer knows this is an internship.

What matters is demonstrating:

• Willingness to learn
• Basic technical understanding
• Professionalism
• Accuracy
• Initiative
• Reliability

Possible Interview Questions

Here are questions worth practising:

1. Tell us about yourself.

Keep your answer focused on your education, finance interests, skills and career objectives.

2. Why did you choose Finance?

Explain what interests you about accounting, financial information, business and problem-solving.

3. Why do you want to join Cubix?

Connect your answer to the opportunity to gain practical experience within a dynamic business environment.

4. What is a bank reconciliation?

Be able to explain it in simple terms.

5. What is VAT?

Demonstrate a basic understanding of VAT and the importance of accurate VAT records.

6. What Excel functions do you know?

Give specific examples.

7. What would you do if your reconciliation does not balance?

Explain your investigation process.

8. How do you handle pressure?

Provide a real example from university, work, volunteering or another relevant experience.

9. What are your career goals?

Show ambition while demonstrating that you understand that professional development takes time.

10. Why should we choose you?

Focus on your combination of qualification, technical knowledge, attention to detail, willingness to learn and professional attitude.

Salary Expectations for Finance Interns in South Africa

The vacancy does not specify the exact monthly stipend.

Because this is an internship rather than a permanent Finance Officer or Accountant position, applicants should not compare the remuneration directly with experienced accounting professionals.

Finance internship stipends in South Africa can vary considerably depending on:

• Employer
• Industry
• Location
• Qualification
• Programme structure
• Company size
• Funding arrangements
• Responsibilities

A paid graduate internship may provide a monthly stipend rather than a conventional permanent-employee salary package.

Candidates should therefore confirm the exact stipend and any additional benefits directly with the employer during the recruitment process.

More importantly, graduates should consider the career value of the 12-month experience.

For someone with little or no professional experience, gaining practical exposure to creditors, VAT, reconciliations, audits, taxation and reporting can improve their competitiveness when applying for permanent positions.

Similar Finance Opportunities to Search For

If you are interested in this internship but do not secure the position, do not stop applying.

Search for roles such as:

• Finance Intern
• Accounting Intern
• Finance Graduate
• Accounting Graduate
• Junior Finance Clerk
• Junior Accountant
• Accounts Payable Intern
• Accounts Receivable Intern
• Creditors Clerk
• Debtors Clerk
• Finance Administrator
• Junior Finance Officer
• Audit Intern
• Tax Intern
• Graduate Trainee – Finance
• Management Accounting Intern
• Financial Reporting Intern
• Finance Assistant
• Accounts Clerk
• Bookkeeping Intern

These positions can provide different types of experience and may help you build a pathway into permanent employment.

How to Make Your CV Stand Out

For this particular opportunity, your CV should be concise and relevant.

At the top, clearly state your qualification.

For example:

Diploma in Financial Management – [Institution]

Then list relevant technical skills.

Your skills section could include:

• Microsoft Excel
• Sage
• Financial reconciliations
• Basic VAT knowledge
• Financial reporting
• Accounting principles
• Data analysis
• Microsoft Office

If you have completed academic projects involving accounting or finance, consider including them.

For example:

Academic Project – Bank Reconciliation

Explain briefly what you did.

This can help demonstrate practical understanding even if you have never held a formal finance position.

Do Not Ignore Soft Skills

Technical ability is only one part of being a successful finance professional.

Employers also need people who can work effectively with others.

For this internship, useful soft skills include:

• Communication
• Teamwork
• Reliability
• Time management
• Problem-solving
• Adaptability
• Professionalism
• Accountability
• Attention to detail

A graduate with excellent technical knowledge but poor reliability can still struggle in a finance environment.

What You Can Learn During the 12 Months

A well-used internship can transform your CV.

At the beginning, you may understand accounting mostly from textbooks.

By the end of the programme, you could have practical exposure to:

Supplier invoices → Reconciliations → Payments → VAT → Month-end → Reporting → Audits → Tax → Revenue

That broader understanding can make it easier to understand how the different parts of a finance department connect.

You may also develop workplace skills that cannot easily be learned in a classroom.

These include attending meetings, communicating with colleagues, meeting deadlines, following company procedures and handling professional responsibilities.

Why the Telecommunications Environment Matters

Working in telecommunications or technology-related businesses can expose finance graduates to a different commercial environment.

Technology businesses can involve large volumes of transactions, recurring revenue, procurement, assets, suppliers, customer accounts and digital payment processes.

This means finance professionals need to work comfortably with both financial information and technology-enabled systems.

For graduates who are interested in combining accounting with technology, this can be particularly valuable.

The Importance of SARS and IFRS Knowledge

The vacancy specifically mentions knowledge of SARS legislation and IFRS.

Applicants should therefore revise the basics before an interview.

IFRS relates to financial reporting standards, while SARS administers South Africa’s tax system.

An intern is not expected to know every rule.

However, the employer is likely to appreciate someone who understands why compliance matters and is prepared to learn.

Is This Internship Suitable for You?

This opportunity may be a good fit if you:

• Have completed a three-year finance-related Diploma or Degree
• Are a South African citizen
• Are between 18 and 35
• Are currently unemployed
• Are not participating in another internship or learnership
• Have strong attention to detail
• Enjoy working with numbers
• Have Excel skills
• Have some exposure to Sage
• Understand basic accounting
• Want practical corporate experience
• Are willing to learn

It may not be suitable if you are already employed or participating in another internship or learnership because the advertised eligibility requirements specifically address these circumstances.

Final Thoughts

The Intern Finance Graduate opportunity at GBS/Cubix in Durban offers finance graduates a chance to gain practical experience across a broad range of financial activities.

The biggest advantage is the variety of exposure.

Instead of being restricted to one accounting task, the intern can potentially learn about creditors, supplier reconciliations, VAT, month-end accounting, financial reporting, procurement, cash reconciliation, intercompany accounts, audits, taxation, revenue, stock and assets.

For a recent graduate, this can be an important step towards becoming employable in the competitive South African finance sector.

Applicants should pay particular attention to the technical requirements. Excel and Sage knowledge, understanding of VAT, IFRS and SARS legislation, and familiarity with audit and reconciliation processes can all strengthen an application.

However, technical skills alone will not be enough.

A successful Finance Intern also needs to demonstrate accuracy, integrity, communication skills, willingness to learn and the ability to work as part of a team.

If you are selected, make the most of the 12-month programme. Ask questions, learn from experienced finance professionals, volunteer for appropriate tasks, improve your Excel skills and keep a record of the systems and processes you learn.

The goal should not simply be to complete the internship.

The goal should be to finish the programme with enough practical knowledge, professional confidence and workplace experience to compete for your next finance opportunity.

For a young graduate trying to establish a career in accounting or finance, that can be one of the most valuable outcomes of all.