Purpose of the Role

The Finance Specialist will play a key role in maintaining and strengthening the controls environment within the organisation. This individual will be responsible for implementing, monitoring, and ensuring the effectiveness of financial controls to mitigate financial, reporting, and operational risks. The role also supports the record-to-report process and assists in financial reporting and analysis.

Key Responsibilities

• Control Implementation and Maintenance: Review, develop, and implement financial controls to ensure the accuracy of financial reporting and operational processes. Regularly update controls to reflect changes in processes and ensure compliance.
• Month-End Close Process: Assist with the month-end closing activities, resolving issues as they arise to ensure timely and accurate financial reporting.
• Balance Sheet Substantiation: Provide evidence and substantiate the balance sheet, particularly at the center level, to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Accounting Transaction Support: Advise on key accounting transactions, particularly in relation to the general ledger and BPC (Business Planning and Consolidation).
• Financial Master Data Management: Ensure that financial master data (including the chart of accounts, BPC hierarchies, and AFS account requirements) is accurate, complete, and well-controlled. Collaborate with GBS (Global Business Services) for data governance and manage the general ledger clean-up project.
• Audit Engagement: Work with external auditors to ensure the completeness of the year-end and interim results process.
• Reporting Timeline Optimisation: Support efforts to streamline and automate financial reporting processes to meet key deadlines, including First Pass (WD6) and Final Pass (WD9), with an aspirational target to achieve WD5.
• Financial Analysis: Perform monthly financial analysis, reviewing financial statements and performance metrics to support informed decision-making.
• Ad-hoc Projects: Participate in ad-hoc projects as required, providing support across various financial control initiatives.
• Cultural Leadership: Assist the Executive Head in promoting a values-based culture within the finance cluster, ensuring a collaborative and high-performance work environment that aligns with the organization’s vision and values.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Formal Qualifications:
  • Chartered Accountant (CA) (SA) – Essential
• Experience:
  • 1-3 years of post-articles experience in a financial control or accounting environment.
  • Preference for candidates with Big 4 articles, especially in the banking sector.
  • Experience with financial statement preparation is preferred.
  • Familiarity with SAP BPC (Business Planning and Consolidation) is advantageous.

Technical Competencies

• IFRS Knowledge: In-depth understanding of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
• Consolidations: Experience with financial consolidations processes and related challenges.
• Analytical Skills: Strong ability to analyse complex financial data and provide actionable insights.
• Advanced MS Office: Proficiency in advanced Microsoft Office tools, particularly Excel, for financial analysis and reporting.
• Accounting Processes: Thorough knowledge of accounting processes, including financial reporting, reconciliations, and audits.
• Project Management: Knowledge of principles of project management, particularly in financial control initiatives.

Behavioral Competencies

• Vision and Values Leadership: Ability to lead and inspire teams through clear vision and alignment with organisational values.
• Influence and Persuasion: Strong persuasive skills to drive decisions and secure buy-in from stakeholders.
• Problem Solving and Decision Making: Demonstrated ability to identify issues, analyse data, and make informed decisions.
• Analytical Thinking: Strong analytical skills with a solution-oriented approach to problem solving.
• Planning and Organising: Excellent planning and organisational abilities, especially when managing multiple deadlines.
• Communication: Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to present financial information to management.
• Building Partnerships: Ability to work cross-functionally and build effective working relationships with colleagues at all levels.
• Customer Focus: A customer-focused mindset with the ability to anticipate and meet the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
• Initiating Action: Proactive in driving change and initiating action in line with business objectives.
• Resilience and Prioritisation: Ability to work under pressure, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines, particularly during peak periods.
• Work Ethic: Willingness to work extended hours during peak periods (e.g., month-end, year-end).