Manager: Technical Accounting at MTN

Mission/ Core purpose of the Job
The Manager Technical Accounting is responsible for activities related to accounting policies, procedures and templates.  The purpose of this job is to act as the subject matter expert for the Technical Accounting areas within the Finance Operations division of Group Finco Finance

The job is expected to provide technical Accounting and Financial leadership to the team to ensure compliance with all applicable Accounting regulations and professional standards.
Key Performance Areas: Core, essential responsibilities / outputs of the position (KPA's) (1/2)
Strategy Development and Implementation

• Provide expert knowledge to support and contribute to the development of the functional Finance Operations strategy in line with the overarching business goals
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting to enable the regular review of the sub-functional strategy, roadmap, and performance to ensure its alignment with the changing dynamics of the internal and external ecosystem

Operational Delivery

• Assume the technical accounting managerial role of the Finco Group on all IFRS, IAS and local statutory accounting matters.
• Ensure that the Group maintains compliance with all new and existing accounting and reporting guidelines of its financial results in accordance with IFRS, IAS and statutory guidelines (where appropriate).
• Ensure that all External Group Financial reporting is in compliance with the applicable rules and requirements (South Africa and/or Netherlands)
• Ensure all changes to existing guidelines are proactively addressed, brought to the attention of Group Exco and the Group Audit Committee.
• Actively participate in forums at which new accounting developments are in discussion or under consideration and assess impact on the Groups reporting and financial standards, accounting policies and financial results.
• Provide the Finco Group Audit Committee with technical updates and new accounting developments arising from IFRS, IAS or other legislative compliance governing the Group’s reporting.
• Provide guidance to the Group Audit Committee on the impact of changes to Group reporting through comprehensive analysis.
• Provide guidance to Opcos on statutory accounting and reporting requirements with respect to the preparation of financial statements
• Provide active support and guidance on all M&A projects with technical opinions on transaction structures, shareholder agreements (changes) on the accounting / IFRS / IAS impact of M&A transactions, IPO’s etc and proactively analyse impact to Group financials and external reporting
• Assess the current ERP Environment at Group and Opcos for compliance with IFRS, local statutory, tax Group Accounting Policy compliance.
• Design solutions to implement a common standard at all opcos based on industry research, best practices, and Group Requirements.
• Prepare formal papers for the board and other stakeholders on technical accounting matters relevant to the group and or Opco
• Manage and assist with the implementation of resulting changes to the Group accounting policies

Governance

Operational, Tactical and Strategic Meetings

• Provide input in strategic meetings when required
• Provide inputs into the risk mitigation and controls
• Provide input into the preparation of proposal on change initiatives, policies and procedures

Escalations

• Escalate issues that will result in severe time, scope, productivity, and cost or resource impact
• Provide solutions to escalations that have multiple processes / functions impact on critical path of service delivery

Function Tactical

• Provide input into all projects initiated
• Provide input into establishing objectives, targets and budgets for the function as applicable
• Identify and document key risks, issues and dependencies and set mitigation actions
• Prepare documentation required for sign-off / making decisions regarding tactical changes

Job Requirements (Education, Experience and Competencies)
Education:

• Minimum of 4-year Bachelor’s degree in Finance /Accounting or equivalent
• CA (SA) – Mandatory
• Post graduate degree in Finance and/or equivalent professional qualification (preferred)
• MBA or Masters (advantageous)

Experience:

• 4-5 years’ experience in leading Group Consolidations / Technical accounting function of a large multinational company
• 2-3 years’ experience within a telecommunication/Financial Services/ Fintech company environment especially in Technical Accounting function
• Experience in managing a highly qualified team of technical accountants
• Experience working in a medium to large organization
• Worked across diverse cultures and geographies
• Pan Africa multi-cultural experience is advantageous

Competencies:

Functional Knowledge:

• Technical Accounting
• GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles)
• IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards)
• ERP (Oracle preferred) Management accounting
• Financial & Statutory compliance & reporting

Skills

• Analytics and Interpretation
• Strategic Thinking
• Organizational Agility
• Digital mind-set
• Dealing with ambiguity and complexity
• Decision Making
• Conflict Management
• Numerical
• Project Management
• People Management
• Executive Presentation

Behavioural Qualities

• Analytical
• Organised and methodical
• Operationally astute
• Proactive
• Detail-oriented
• Driven
• Results-oriented
• Team player