Financial Engineering Group Senior Manager at KPMG South Africa

Description Of The Role And Purpose Of The Job

• The Financial Engineering Group (“FEG”) is the centre of excellence for banking, financial instrument valuation and treasury risk management at KPMG. The FEG team comprises both financial engineering and accounting skills with extensive experience in the local and international financial markets. We aim to provide clients with financial engineering and valuation risk-based solutions to the challenges posed by the accounting, regulation and valuation of financial instruments.
• FEG is in search of senior managers to assist with the managing of a challenging portfolio of listed and unlisted audit clients in the investment banking environment, global markets, including treasuries (banking and corporate), asset managers and stockbrokers.
• In addition to the audit responsibilities the successful candidates will require active involvement in the pursuit, management and delivery of advisory assignments in the above markets.
• The candidates would be required to provide oversight management of the Financial Engineering Group trainees and staff.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing quantitative and qualitative risk elements of an allocated audit client portfolio relating to a global markets area.
• Presenting audit and advisory findings relating to the respective engagement to clients as well as assist with audit committee document submission.
• Engagement with fellow joint auditor with respect to cross reviews/ISA 600 responsibilities on FEG related matters
• Management of staff with respect to equitable planning of resources and ensuring that teams are adequately transformed.
• Reviewing the quantitative work performed by junior resources to ensure that the various valuation risk factors have been accurately measured and documented
• Mentoring and acting as a role model to more junior resources
• Co-ordinating monthly knowledge shares and presenting on areas of judgement that the wider FEG would benefit from (i.e. XVA’s, IBOR transition, hedge accounting)
• Technical assistance to complicated accounting and auditing applications.
• Contributing to achieve the business unit’s strategic initiatives with respect to ensuring the highest level of audit quality and generating blue sky with respect to advisory engagements
• Tracking of FEG financial performance for the year
• Co-ordinate monthly FEG manager meetings
• Driving innovation within the group with respective to portfolio valuations and development of AI tools.
• Assistance in growing the FEG function within the firm and externally and focussing on branding.

Skills And Attributes Required For The Role

• Deep understanding of the risk prevalent in the global market environment including the trading process (XVA’s, derivative financial modelling, hedge accounting and treasury controls used to manage the risks)
• Exposure to banking trading systems (e.g. Front Arena, Murex)
• Strong leader
• Team player
• Ability to work under pressure
• Good communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills
• eAudIT and Clara knowledge
• Up to date with accounting, auditing standards and global best practice templates
• Strong quantitative knowledge and experience
• Enthusiasm, individual initiative and self-drive

Minimum requirements to apply for the role (including qualifications and experience):

• CA (SA) or equivalent qualification, and has at least 2 years experience since completion of training contract.
• Experience in global market audits with the emphasis on treasury, stockbroking and asset management clients would be preferred
• Has led an advisory FEG engagement
• Completion, or studying towards a CFA accreditation would similarly be an added advantage