Retirement Fund Accountant – Standalone Retirement Funds at Alexander Forbes

Purpose of the Job:

• To maintain a portfolio of tier 3 or 4 clients, by completing the daily/monthly/quarterly and annual tasks, and producing Annual Financial Statements of the highest quality to be audited and released to Clients per SLS, and submitted to the FSCA per prescribed deadline dates.

Overview:
Education

• Matric (Grade 12) with a minimum of 5 years Retirement Fund accounting experience and/ or
• Relevant Accounting Degree/ Tertiary Qualification or studying towards

Experience

• 5 years minimum of either retirement fund industry work experience or experience in the accounting field
• Strong retirement fund industry knowledge - Essential
• Strong accounting skills - Essential

Key performance areas

Operational effectiveness

• Management of bank account justifying the bank account balance and processing all investments and disinvestments instructions timeously
• Complete a Bank Reconciliation of Cash at Bank, Investments and clearing accounts for each Fund as per procedure monthly
• Compile Trustee Cashflow reports as per procedure monthly
• Ensure all fees and payroll expenses / premiums are paid monthly and timeously
• Adhoc Invoices are paid within 3 days of receipt.
• Successfully complete all Funds for review within portfolio within 45 days of the quarter end to the Reserve Bank
• Produce quality financial statements 2 weeks prior to the commencement of an audit
• Ensure that all financial statements are released to clients within 4 months and signed for submission to the FSCA within 6 months after year end.
• Completion of monthly Asset and Liability Matching queries with no highly significant issues
• Maintaining and prepare all funds destined for closure with training and guidance.
• Resolving all queries to FSCA within the required 30 days from receipt
• Strive to obtain 100% compliance rating on internal audits
• Embrace any technological advancement to gain operational maximum efficiencies
• All processes and document storage for to save on sharepoint or server, no shared documents to be saved on desktop
• Adherence to procedures to avoid potential PI claims
• Ensure no FSCA Penalties lodged within a review period
• Management of individual expenses to avoid overruns
• Manage the audit process to avoid cost overruns

TCF

• Fulfills his/her duties in such a manner that the relevant TCF outcomes are delivered
• Constructively speaks up about any TCF short-coming in any part of the business
• Quickly owns up to any mistakes or oversights he/she may be party to that may have negative TCF consequences (such behavior is never punished).

Competencies

Business skills

• The ability to carry out a business task effectively with determined performance and results within a given time.
• Planning time to achieve goals
• Valued added service
• Good knowledge of the Retirement Fund Industry
• Relationship building skills
• Excellent oral & written communication skills
• Ability to multi-task
• Ability to anticipate and manage change
• Innovative thinking and delivery

Functional skills

• The ability to work co-operatively in a group, to be a member of a team and work towards the purpose of a common goal.
• To have the energy and drive required to meet the challenges of work.
• The willingness and ability to follow prescribed rules, procedures and instructions within a defined framework
• The ability to sense, and attempt to understand feelings and perspectives by taking an active interest in the teams’ concerns, values, needs and views
• The ability to align your behaviour with the needs, priorities and goals through commitment and determination
• The ability to accept change and adapt ones approach to maintain efficiency within a variety of circumstances, and with individuals and groups within the organisation, processes, protocols, requirements, or cultures
• The ability to express oneself clearly in written communication in order that the content is understood by the receiver.
• A professional and friendly manner and the ability to deal with all levels in the organisation
• The ability to handle stress and problems without loss of focus, enthusiasm and professional composure.

Core competencies

• Analytical Skills
• Detailed Orientated
• Excellent Problem Solver
• Interpersonal and people skills
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent customer service
• Technical proficiency
• Excellent communication – verbal and written
• Strong analytical ability and logical thinking style
• High sense of accountability
• Team player
• Goes the extra mile