Management Accountant: Direct and Advise Led Business at Hollard Insurance

Job Purpose

• To compile and analyse the scheme management accounts for performance cells and to report on those management accounts that are compiled/analysed to partners and other stakeholders (e.g. Finance Business Partners, Divisional CFO, General Managers and External Partners/Finance Heads).

Key Responsibilities

• Timely preparation of management accounts
• Manage the budget process for the division/partner
• Timely preparation of balance sheet reconciliations
• Assist with defined ad hoc projects according to business needs
• Analysis of divisional expense variance reports
• Responsible for posting journals and assisting with monthly reconciliations
• Assistance in the management of day to day activities of the finance reporting function
• Timely and accurate preparation of allocated scheme Income Statement and Balance Sheet stats
• Each accountant is responsible for a portfolio of schemes
• Monthly timely preparation of management accounts for these responsible schemes
• Co-ordination between Performance heads/ GMs /Principals on obtaining information
• Monitor daily cash balances and prepare top-ups
• Prepare daily payments requisitions
• Prepare monthly reconciliations between sub-ledgers and main ledger
• Attend internal/external meetings to present these results
• Attend to queries relating to the responsible schemes
• Monthly analysis and reporting on variance reports and scheme results, provide explanations on these variances on a monthly basis
• Continuous liaison with, and support of, the client relationship managers and business partners (where necessary/requested)
• Preparation of scheme budgets and forecasts for schemes responsible for
• Be able to prepare budgets and forecasts for schemes
• Review the prepared budgets and forecasts
• Provide analysis and explanations on the prepared budget and forecasts
• Be able to provide valuable input and challenge business on the assumptions
• Ensuring compliance with accounting practice applicable to insurers, good governance and risk management practice, as well as laws and regulations
• Understanding and application of insurance related technicalities e.g. Insurance ratios, insurance reserving and other governance and risk management practices
• Continuous improvement of accounting and reporting processes in line with partner needs, Group accounting needs and overall business objectives and principles
• To assist with defined ad hoc projects according to business needs
• Planning and support of the year-end audit process
• Provide good audit working papers
• Assist auditors in their audit by providing explanations/ supporting document
• Be able to maintain ‘clean’ scheme accounting and no audit issues arising from schemes responsible for
• Assist internal/external auditors with query resolution
• Attendance at partner meetings
• Ad hoc responsibilities when they arise that are Finance related

Required Knowledge and Experience    

• A minimum of 4 years or relevant experience
• Some Insurance industry experience would be an advantage

Preferred/ Advantageous 

• if 2 years of experience in insurance accounting
• Knowledge of accounting packages, systems and controls including budgeting, understanding of Line of business systems and their integration into the accounting system
• IFRS and International accounting standards
• Some knowledge of FSB and related insurance industry general information
• Knowledge of systems and controls,
• Exceptional business acumen and broad business knowledge
• Stakeholder management
• Educational Requirements    
• CA(SA)/CIMA/ACCA