CSIR – Internship: Finance

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is offering two Finance Internship opportunities within its Financial Services portfolio at Scientia in Pretoria. The internships are intended to give Accounting and Finance graduates practical workplace experience through financial, asset administration and accounting duties.

Read this first: Applicants need a three-year diploma or degree in Accounting or Finance. The vacancy is listed as hybrid, but some duties involve physically verifying assets, scanning barcodes and QR codes and making follow-up visits to departments. Applicants should therefore not treat this as a fully remote internship.

At a glance

What the Finance Internship involves

The internship is designed to provide graduates with practical experience by performing accounting and administrative duties within the CSIR’s Finance portfolio.

The work includes processing financial transactions, reconciling accounts, supporting asset accounting, maintaining financial records and helping to ensure that documentation is complete and ready for audit purposes.

Interns will also receive exposure to physical asset verification. This can involve scanning asset barcodes and QR codes at CSIR locations and visiting departments to gather or confirm information relating to assets.

Key responsibilities

• Process financial transactions under guidance and supervision and ensure that transactions are recorded accurately.
• Follow applicable financial policies, processes, guidelines and legislation.
• Perform financial account reconciliations and identify discrepancies or items requiring action.
• Help ensure transactions are recorded in the correct accounting period.
• Prepare, obtain and attach supporting documents before asset additions and journals are processed.
• Follow up on finance and asset-related queries received from divisions, clusters, portfolios or asset custodians.
• Escalate queries to the appropriate supervisor or accountant where necessary.
• Maintain records relating to journals, asset additions, disposals, transfers, reconciliations and verification activities.
• Support month-end and year-end financial processes.
• Physically verify assets and scan barcodes and QR codes at CSIR locations.
• Conduct follow-up visits to departments where additional information needs to be verified or collected.
• Maintain a clear audit trail supporting fixed-asset accounting records.
• Assist with quarterly document management to maintain audit-ready records.

Education requirements

Applicants must have:

• A three-year diploma or degree in Accounting or Finance.

Applicants who obtained an international qualification must have an evaluation report or certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

Knowledge and skills required

• A good understanding of basic accounting principles and the ability to apply them.
• Basic knowledge of VAT principles.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office and Outlook.
• Good office administration and record-keeping skills.
• Good analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong time-management and planning skills.
• Effective communication and listening skills.
• Professional written communication skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a large team.
• The ability to work under pressure and manage stress.
• Punctuality and adaptability.
• The ability to work independently when working remotely by being self-motivated, accountable and disciplined.

Hybrid work and asset verification

The vacancy is listed as Scientia, Pretoria (Hybrid). Applicants should note that hybrid does not mean the internship can necessarily be completed from anywhere in South Africa.

The advertised responsibilities include physical asset verification, barcode and QR-code scanning at CSIR locations and follow-up visits to departments. Candidates should therefore be able to attend the workplace and other required CSIR locations when instructed.

Pay and other details

A specific internship stipend or salary amount is not stated in the reviewed vacancy information. The exact internship duration and start date are also not specified.

Applicants should not assume a stipend amount or programme duration from previous CSIR internships. Any remuneration, contract period and commencement date applicable to Job ID 315223 should be confirmed through the CSIR recruitment process.

Employment Equity and screening

The CSIR is an equal opportunity employer and states that preference may be given to candidates from designated groups in accordance with the Employment Equity Act.

Applicants should also be aware that the CSIR may verify educational qualifications and employment history. For positions involving trust, honesty, cash or finances, the organisation may also obtain relevant credit and criminal reports as part of its recruitment checks.

Documents to prepare

• An updated CV with accurate education and employment information.
• Your Accounting or Finance diploma or degree details.
• Your academic record if requested during the application process.
• A SAQA evaluation report or certificate if your qualification was obtained outside South Africa.
• Accurate contact details.
• Any additional supporting documents requested by the official CSIR application portal.

Upload documents only when requested by the CSIR recruitment system. For general CV and application guidance, visit our Learnership Resources and Guides.

Application checklist

• Confirm that you have a three-year diploma or degree in Accounting or Finance.
• Use Job ID 315223 to make sure you are applying for the correct CSIR internship.
• Make sure your CV clearly lists your qualification and relevant accounting or finance knowledge.
• Include relevant Microsoft Office, Outlook, accounting and administrative skills honestly on your CV.
• Prepare your SAQA evaluation documentation if you studied outside South Africa.
• Check that your telephone number and email address are correct.
• Read the live vacancy before submitting in case the CSIR updates any information.
• Submit the application before 14 October 2026 and retain your application confirmation.

About the CSIR

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is a South African science and technology research organisation. Its work includes research, technology development, localisation and knowledge solutions aimed at supporting industry, society and the country’s broader socio-economic development.

Learn more through the official CSIR website

Common application mistakes

• Applying without the required three-year Accounting or Finance diploma or degree.
• Assuming that “hybrid” means the internship is fully remote.
• Ignoring the practical asset-verification duties that may require attendance at CSIR locations.
• Forgetting to obtain a SAQA evaluation for an international qualification.
• Leaving accounting, VAT, Microsoft Office or administration skills off the CV when you genuinely have them.
• Sending an application to the CSIR recruitment enquiry email instead of applying through the online candidate portal.
• Using an incorrect job ID or applying for a similarly named older CSIR Finance Internship.
• Waiting until after the closing date to submit the application.

Scam warning

Use the official CSIR recruitment portal when applying. The CSIR has previously warned members of the public about fraudulent recruitment approaches made using the organisation’s name.

• Do not pay anyone who claims they can secure a CSIR internship or job for you.
• Do not share banking PINs, passwords or one-time PINs with recruiters.
• Check that the vacancy appears on the CSIR’s official recruitment system.
• Do not trust anyone who promises guaranteed selection outside the formal recruitment process.

How this opportunity was verified

The vacancy is linked to the official CSIR PeopleSoft candidate recruitment system under Job ID 315223. The vacancy is advertised as Internship: Finance (Two positions), based at Scientia in Pretoria within Asset Administration and the Financial Services portfolio.

The reviewed vacancy information confirms a posting date of 7 October 2026 and a closing date of 14 October 2026. The CSIR’s official careers information also directs job seekers to its PeopleSoft candidate portal when applying for vacancies.

Read more about our checking process on the How We Verify Listings page.

How to apply

1. Open the official CSIR application link below.
2. Confirm that the vacancy title is Internship: Finance (Two positions) and the Job ID is 315223.
3. Sign in to your existing CSIR candidate profile or create a new profile if required.
4. Enter your personal, qualification and employment information accurately.
5. Upload your CV and any supporting documents requested by the recruitment system.
6. Review the completed application before submitting it.
7. Submit before the closing date and retain confirmation of your application.

For recruitment enquiries, the vacancy information lists Recruitmentinfo@csir.co.za. This address is for enquiries only; applications should not be emailed to it.

Application closing date

Applications close on 14 October 2026.

The CSIR states that it may remove an advertisement before the stated closing date and reserves the right not to make an appointment if a suitable candidate is not identified. Applicants should therefore apply as early as reasonably possible.

Apply for the CSIR Finance Internship