Finance Analyst: Data Governance & Accounting

Old Mutual Life Assurance Company (SA) Ltd; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Old Mutual Life Assurance Company (SA) Ltd is seeking a Finance Analyst to support Finance Data Governance and Accounting. The role bridges Finance, Data, and Technology to ensure data integrity, governance, and compliant financial reporting.

You will interpret IFRS, define data governance standards, and collaborate across finance and IT to translate accounting requirements into system specifications, documenting controls and data flows.

Qualifications

• Bachelor level or higher with IFRS knowledge.
• Experience translating accounting requirements into data/system specifications.
• Exposure to data governance frameworks is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Interpret IFRS standards and ensure compliant financial reporting outputs.
• Translate accounting requirements into data, system and integration specs.
• Collaborate with Finance, Data and Technology to align governance with system implementation.
• Develop and maintain data definitions, glossaries, ownership, and quality rules.
• Document end-to-end data and process flows with key controls.

Skills

IFRS accounting

Data governance

Data analysis

Stakeholder engagement

System integration

Problem solving

Education

BCom (Honours) in Finance/Accounting

CA(SA) or equivalent

Tools

Oracle ERP

HFM

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 We are seeking a Finance Analyst to support the Finance Data Governance and Accounting function, combining technical IFRS accounting expertise with strong data governance, data management, and process optimisation capability. The role operates within a project and changes delivery environment, with a core focus on ensuring that accounting requirements are accurately translated into governed, controlled, and integrated financial data flows across systems. A key objective of the role is to establish, document, and embed data governance frameworks, policies, and controls, while ensuring that financial data is complete, accurate, and compliant end-to-end. The successful candidate will act as a bridge between Finance, Data, and Technology, with accountability for financial data integrity, metadata management, and the design of sustainable governance and control frameworks.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Accounting & Financial Interpretation

• Interpret and apply IFRS standards
• Translate accounting requirements into data, system, and integration specifications
• Analyse accounting white papers and document end-to-end implementation across systems
• Validate accounting treatment across the reporting estate.
• Ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance of financial reporting outputs
• Challenge existing accounting processes and drive improvements
• Document on how accounting treatments are implemented across system architecture

Business & Stakeholder Engagement

• Partner with Finance, Data, and Technology teams to understand business requirements and translate them into actionable outputs
• Act as a translator between Finance and IT, ensuring alignment between accounting intent and system implementation
• Translate finance and governance requirements into clear delivery inputs
• Facilitate workshops, stakeholder interviews, and working sessions
• Build strong relationships and manage stakeholder expectations effectively

Data Governance & Data Management

• Support implementation of data governance frameworks, policies, and standards
• Develop and maintain: Data definitions and business glossaries
• Data ownership and stewardship structures
• Data quality rules and control frameworks
• Ensure alignment between finance data requirements and governance controls
• Contribute to data quality monitoring, issue resolution, and control design
• Maintain consistency and integrity of metadata across systems: Requirements & Analysis

Requirements & Analysis

• Perform impact analysis across systems, processes, and data flows
• Break down complex finance and data challenges into structured, manageable components

Process Design & Documentation

• Document current (As-Is) and future-state (To-Be) processes across finance and data domains
• Map process flows and data flows, highlighting key controls and dependencies
• Develop and maintain: Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) Data governance policies and standards Process and control documentation
• Identify inefficiencies, control gaps, and opportunities for improvement

Continuous Improvement & Controls

• Recommend and support implementation of best-practice processes and controls
• Assist in embedding data governance and control frameworks into business processes
• Contribute to ongoing optimisation of finance reporting and data management practices

Key Requirements

Qualifications

• BCom (Honours) in Finance, Accounting, or related field
• CA(SA) or similar professional qualification
• Exposure to data governance frameworks (e.g., DAMA-DMBOK, DCAM) (advantageous)
• Experience 4 to 6 years’ relevant experience in a finance or finance data role
• Strong experience in: IFRS accounting (Financial Services preferred)
• Finance systems (Oracle ERP, HFM, or similar)
• Data governance, data management, and data quality
• Experience in integration, migration, or optimisation initiatives
• Exposure to financial reporting, consolidation, and reconciliation processes

Skills & Competencies

• Strong understanding of finance principles and accounting standards (e.g., IFRS)
• Ability to interpret accounting guidance and translate into system/data requirements
• Strong data analysis and problem-solving skills
• Strong knowledge of: Finance data structures (GL, hierarchies, sub-ledgers)
• Data integration and transformation
• Data governance and control frameworks
• Ability to: Design governance artefacts (policies, SOPs, controls)
• Document process and data flows clearly
• Challenge and improve existing practices
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills
• Accountability for data integrity, accuracy, and compliance
• Skills Accounting, Action Planning, Analytical Thinking, Budget Management, Computer Literacy, Data Analysis, Database Reporting, Data Classification, Data Compilation, Data Modeling, Evaluating Information, Numerical Aptitude, Research Methodologies, Solution Analysis
• Competencies Business Insight Collaborates Ensures Accountability Financial Acumen Manages Complexity Nimble Learning Optimizes Work Processes Resourcefulness

Education

Chartered Accountant (Required), Honours Degree (Hons)

Closing Date 01 November 2026 , 23:59

The appointment will be made from the designated group in line with the Employment Equity Plan of Old Mutual South Africa and the specific business unit in question.

The Old Mutual Story!

Old Mutual is a premium African financial services organisation that offers a broad spectrum of financial solutions to retail and corporate customers across key market segments in 14 countries. The lines of business include Life and Savings, Property and Casualty, Asset Management and Banking and Lending. We are rooted in our purpose of Championing Mutually Positive Futures Every Day and believe that a great customer experience is anchored in a great employee experience.