Assistant Financial Accountant

oldmutual; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 560,000; Full time

Job summary

Old Mutual is seeking an Assistant Financial Accountant to support the Senior Financial Accountant in delivering accurate financial reporting for unit trust management companies. You will handle transactional accounting, GL processing, month-end close, reconciliations, payments, cash management, and compliance tasks.

The role emphasizes process improvement, automation, and strengthening financial controls across UT Manco.

Qualifications

• BCom Accounting degree, or equivalent.
• Two to four years of relevant financial accounting experience.
• Practical experience in general ledger accounting, month-end closing, journal processing, balance sheet reconciliations and audit support.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including manipulation of large datasets.
• Experience with Oracle Fusion, HFM or a comparable ERP and consolidation system would be advantageous.
• Exposure to regulatory reporting, tax compliance or financial services control environments would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Process cashbook transactions and prepare journals with accurate calculations and documentation.
• Prepare and submit month-end accruals and recurring or ad hoc journals for review and approval.
• Support month-end and quarter-end close activities within reporting deadlines.
• Perform general ledger reviews and investigate unusual balances.
• Maintain accounting records to trial balance level and support audits.
• Prepare monthly bank and balance sheet reconciliations and resolve reconciling items.
• Monitor cash balances and assist with short-term cash-flow requirements.
• Prepare quarterly management information and regulatory submissions as required.
• Assist with tax calculations and submissions and escalation of issues where needed.

Education

BCom Accounting

NQF Level 7

Tools

Oracle Fusion

HFM

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Let's Write Africa's Story Together! Old Mutual is a firm believer in the African opportunity and our diverse talent reflects this.

Job Description

The Assistant Financial Accountant supports the Senior Financial Accountant in delivering accurate, timely and compliant financial reporting for the unit trust management companies.

The role is responsible for transactional accounting, general ledger processing, month-end close support, balance sheet and bank reconciliations, payments, cash management, management reporting, tax-related activities, and statutory and regulatory submissions.

The incumbent will maintain complete and audit-ready financial records, investigate and resolve reconciling items, support internal and external audits, and contribute to process improvement, with a keen focus on automation and the strengthening of financial controls across the UT Manco business.

Key responsibilities will include amongst others the following:

Financial accounting and month-end closing

Process cashbook transactions and prepare journals supported by accurate calculations and documentation.

Prepare and submit month-end accruals and recurring or ad hoc journals for review and approval.

Support the completion of month-end and quarter-end close activities within agreed reporting deadlines.

Perform general ledger reviews and investigate unusual or aged balances.

Maintain complete, accurate and appropriately approved accounting records to trial balance level.

Reconciliations and balance sheet control

Prepare monthly bank and balance sheet reconciliations.

Investigate, resolve and explore reconciling items within agreed timelines.

Maintain supporting schedules and evidence for material balance sheet accounts.

Monitor aged reconciling items and document corrective actions.

Support periodic balance sheet substantiation and control reviews.

Payments, receivables and cash management

Prepare and process supplier and ad hoc payments in accordance with delegated authorities and payment controls.

Monitor debtor receipts and creditor settlements and follow up outstanding or disputed items.

Maintain invoice listings and complete supporting documentation.

Monitor cash balances and assist with short-term cash-flow requirements.

Maintain bank account information and support banking mandate changes, subject to appropriate approval controls.

Assist with KYC and related banking verification requirements.

Ensure compliance with applicable procurement and i-Proc requirements.

Management and regulatory reporting

Prepare quarterly HFM submissions and support disclosure schedules.

Assist with regulatory and statutory returns, including quarterly SARB submissions.

Prepare routine and ad hoc management information for relevant stakeholders.

Perform validation checks and maintain supporting evidence for submitted information.

Investigate reporting variances and provide clear explanations where required.

Tax, audit and compliance support

Assist with supporting information for corporate income tax, VAT and other applicable tax submissions.

Maintain complete supporting documentation for tax calculations and submissions.

Respond accurately and promptly to internal and external audit requests.

Support the implementation and monitoring of audit action plans.

Escalate identified control, compliance or reporting issues promptly.

Process improvement and stakeholder support

Identify opportunities to simplify, standardize and automate finance processes.

Assist with the development, testing and implementation of process improvements.

Prepare and maintain process documentation, standard operating procedures and detailed workflows.

Investigate, resolve and, where necessary, **escalate** complex stakeholder queries.

Assist with ad hoc projects and tasks as required.

Qualifications and Experience required:

• BCom Accounting degree, or equivalent.
• Two to four years of relevant financial accounting experience, preferably within financial services, investment management or unit trust administration.
• Practical experience in general ledger accounting, month-end closing, journal processing, balance sheet reconciliations and audit support.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including manipulation of large datasets.
• Experience with Oracle Fusion, HFM or a comparable ERP and consolidation system would be advantageous.
• Exposure to regulatory reporting, tax compliance or financial services control environments would be advantageous.

Skills

Accounting, Action Planning, Budget Management, Computer Literacy, Database Reporting, Data Classification, Data Compilation, Data Controls, Data Modeling, Evaluating Information, Legal Practices, Management Reporting, Numerical Aptitude, Oral Communications, Report Review

Competencies

• Builds Networks
• Business Insight
• Collaborates
• Courage
• Drives Results
• Ensures Accountability
• Financial Acumen
• Manages Complexity

Education

NQF Level 7 - Degree, Advance Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate or equivalent

Closing Date

17