Technical and General Accountant: Group Finance - Parktown North at PPS

Job Advert Summary    
The role will be responsible for building out the IFRS accounting manual framework across the group; tasks include amongst others drafting of accounting technical memos relating to contracts within the group and updating of any current accounting memos that have an impact on year-end reporting. The technical accountant will also review and update accounting policies for financial statements disclosure purposes for the entities within the Group. Responsible for designing solutions for the implementation of new International Financial Reporting Standards as well as advising on IFRS treatment of new transactions including post implementation of IFRS 17 “insurance contracts standard” which became effective 1 January 2023. Act as the go-to person for technically complex matters in the financial control environment. In addition, the technical accountant will be responsible for the full accounting / budgeting & reporting function (in line with IFRS) for PPS Namibia, Financial Solutions 4 Professionals (Pty) Limited (FS4P) and journalising of numbers originating in the Insurance Administration System (referred to as “IAA”) for PPS South Africa and PPS Namibia.

Minimum Requirements    
Education:

• Chartered Accountant (South Africa).
• Proven track record of top academic results.

Experience:

• Newly qualified with a very keen interest in technical accounting matters
• Experience in a reporting environment while doing articles
• Experience within an IFRS technical accounting environment - non-negotiable
• Insurance industry experience advantageous

Knowledge and Skills:

• A strong work ethic and a drive to exceed expectations
• Strong analytic, quantitative, and problem-solving skills
• Adaptability to different stakeholders, audiences, and environments
• Strong technical ability
• Insurance legislations knowledge

Competencies:

• Complex problem solving and analytics
• Adapting and responding to change
• Commercial Acumen
• Persuading and Influencing
• Deciding and Initiating Action
• Collaboration

Duties and Responsibilities:

IFRS 17 reporting: 

• Take responsibility together with another accounting technical accountant for IFRS17 accounting &    reporting design including chart of accounts, data sources, management accounts, Annual Financial   Statements, journal entries, “bridge” between IFRS4 and IFRS17.
• Improve the current process that supports the IFRS 17 Finance team.
• Own the IFRS17 process, including data breakdown, analytics, and validation

Stakeholder management relating to technical matters and IFRS 17:

• Establish and maintain relationships with key stakeholders including actuarial and insurance systems staff.
• Monthly, Quarterly and annual procedures execution in line with the design including sourcing of data, processing of journals, disclosures on management accounts & Annual Financial Statements
• Collaboration with external auditors

Solutions for technically, complex matters:

• Act as the go-to person for technically complex matters in the financial control environment.
• Identify opportunities for system enhancements.
• Create efficient processes and manage multiple workflows with arious stakeholders.
• Preparation and delivery of technical updates and communication (verbal and /or written) of   industry developments to relevant stakeholders, as required.
• Tracking of technical assessments (memos) log

Financial Reporting: 

• Prepare monthly Management Accounts of all financial statements line items for FS4P and PPS Namibia.
• Provide value added commentary on budget variances in collaboration with FS4P management team and other group finance individuals for PPS Namibia.
• Chair monthly meetings with FS4P management team to discuss the monthly management  accounts and address finance related queries or concerns.
• Prepare and manage the monthly cash flow for FS4P.
• Post General Ledger entries for the IAA trial balance and non-standard reversing journals as 
  and when needed.
• Prepare income statement and balance sheet required reconciliations for the specific areas 
  and entities.
• Prepare the FS4P and PPS Namibia Annual Financial Statements that are compliant with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
• Liaison with both internal and external auditors for both FS4P and PPS Namibia audits.
• Providing audit evidence requested and resolving audit queries timeously.
• Assist with the daily bank payments release for creditors team.
• Solutions for technically, complex matters.
• Act as the go-to person for technically complex matters in the financial control environment.
• Identify opportunities for system enhancements.
• Create efficient processes and manage multiple workflows with various stakeholders.
• Preparation and delivery of technical updates and communication (verbal and /or written) of 
  industry developments to relevant stakeholders, as required.

Adhoc:

• Assisting other members of Group Finance in times of leave.
• Perform other financial reporting tasks and projects as identified.
• Assisting with ad hoc requests