IFRS Specialist: Group Financial Reporting at Sanlam Group

What will you do?

Responsible for financial analyses or for a division providing financial accounting services for head office and/or group companies. Applies principles of accounting to analyse financial information and prepare financial reports.  Compiles and analyses financial information to prepare entries to accounts, such as general ledger, documenting business transactions. Analyses financial information detailing assets, liabilities and capital. Prepares balance sheets, profit and loss statements and other reports to summarize and interpret current and projected company financial position. Audits contracts, orders and vouchers and prepares reports to substantiate transactions prior to settlement. Installs, modifies, documents and coordinates implementation of accounting systems and control procedures. Makes recommendations regarding the accounting of reserves, assets and expenditures. May have supervisory and/or client relationship responsibilities.

What will make you successful in this role?

• IFRS 17 implementation (including system specifications and testing, transition disclosures, assessing impact on other areas such as capital risk management disclosures, etc.). This will include support to the management information team and not limited to IFRS reporting.
• Preparation of technical working papers, including memos for audit committee. This will include the review of and support for technical working papers/memos prepared by the clusters.  Also facilitate obtaining audit opinions from the group audit technical teams, addressing queries and the sign-off thereof by the auditors.
• Completion of IFRS checklists and coordinating of reports in respect of the interim and annual reporting periods (not limited to annual financial statements only):Sanlam Limited, Sanlam Life Insurance Limited group and company, Sanlam Group
• Addressing technical issues raised by auditors as part of interim and annual report glossies review, including considering and implementing new reporting requirements in HFM and/or additional pack: Sanlam Limited, Sanlam Life Insurance Limited group and company, Sanlam Group
• Technical accounting related project and initiatives involvement and implementation (could include all aspects of project management)
• General IFRS technical support to the rest of the Sanlam Group, including training sessions (group and/or individual)
• Value added proposition to Stakeholders:  
• Technical partnerships with the corporate finance and cluster teams
• Monitoring JSE publications and identify/implement Sanlam improvements. (eg Reporting back on proactive monitoring of financial statements)
• Facilitating the groupwide CPD programme for staff belonging to accounting professional bodies (coordinating and arranging of events)

Other functions:

• Documenting guidelines, processes and procedures where appropriate
• Audit liaison during interim and year end reporting periods
• Functional and user acceptance testing of all relevant systems as and when required
• All other ad hoc tasks that may be required from time to time

Qualification and Experience

• Qualified accountant (CA (SA)
• A minimum of 2-4 years experience in an accounting/financial environment
• Similar relevant experience in the insurance/financial industry 
• Experience in using Sanlam’s financial reporting systems (Hyperion Financial Management/SAP) will be to your advantage
• Specialist Knowledge (preferably insurance industry):  Understands technical or professional aspects of work and continually maintains technical knowledge (eg IFRS) 
• Extensive IFRS experience, having an understanding of IFRS and appreciation for the risks in applying and financial reporting implications of IFRS

Knowledge and Skills

• Financial Analysis
• Financial Information Review
• Financial Reporting
• Financial Queries and Recommendations
• Financial Controls

Personal Attributes

• Communicates effectively - Contributing through others
• Decision quality - Contributing through others
• Manages complexity - Contributing through others
• Plans and aligns - Contributing through others

Closing Date: 6th, April 2022