Finance Transformation Manager

EY; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

EY is seeking a Finance Manager to drive strategy and performance improvement for clients in financial services. You will build strong client relationships, identify opportunities, and deliver innovative insights across finance functions, including consolidation, planning and reporting.

The role involves leading project teams, managing risks, and coaching junior staff, with travel as needed. You will work with ERP/ETP tools and have deep experience in finance processes, IFRS, and pre-sales

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in a relevant field such as finance, business, engineering or computer science.
• Minimum 8 years' experience in industry or with a recognized consulting firm.
• Fluency in English (oral and written).
• 5+ years of consulting experience.
• Experience with finance functions – record-to-report, reconciliations, journals, variance analysis, intercompany, etc.
• Experience in pre-sales/business development/go-to-market roles.
• Ability to lead client workshops and discussions to enable sales.
• Knowledge of core financial processes (consolidation, close, budgeting, planning, AP, AR).
• Strong accounting skills; IFRS knowledge preferred; experience with month/quarter/year close.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain relationships with clients and internal teams under Partners' guidance.
• Identify business opportunities and develop long-term client networks.
• Provide innovative commercial insights and contribute to thought leadership.
• Improve operational efficiency on projects and internal initiatives.
• Lead teams on engagements; manage risk and elevate issues as needed.
• Coach junior team members and promote learning culture.
• Travel to meet client needs as required.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Interpersonal skills

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Communication skills

Business acumen

Commercial awareness

Leadership

Integrity

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance/business/engineering/computer science

Tools

ERP systems

Consolidation tools

Controlling tools

Reporting tools

Visualization tools

Oracle

SAP

BlackLine

Onestream

Job description

It is becoming increasingly important for organisations to critically think about improving their strategy and performance in a rapidly changing, digital and innovative world. We advise CFOs of mainly multinationals, but also mid-market or start-ups, on the future of their Finance function and support them during large transformation programs. For example, in their journey of becoming ever more data-driven, we help our clients accelerate by exploring opportunities that emerging technologies such as GenAI and ML bring to the Finance and Finance Analytics space. Next to that, think about advising CFOs on optimal steering information, improving clients’ financial planning and analysis capabilities, realising a new organisational model, or implementing improved Finance processes and technologies. We advise on a broad range of topics that are high on the CFO agenda and that our BC Finance team is passionate about.

Your Key Responsibilities

As a Finance Manager, you'll actively establish, maintain, and strengthen internal and external relationships. With guidance from Partners, you'll identify potential business opportunities for EY. You will develop long-term client relationships and networks, as well as develop relationships with team members across all EY practices to service client needs. By drawing on your knowledge and experience, you'll provide innovative commercial insights for clients and contribute to thought leadership. You'll actively contribute to improving operational efficiency on projects and internal initiatives. In line with our commitment to quality, you'll consistently drive projects to completion and determine that work is of a high quality. Your role in leading teams or parts of teams on engagements will depend on the size of engagement and will be under responsibility of higher levels. They will look to you to anticipate and identify risks and elevate issues as appropriate. As an influential member of the team, you'll help to create a positive learning culture and will coach and counsel junior team members and help them to develop.

• Work with high-growth clients and other market leaders in Financial services, preferably Insurance.
• Establish objectives and scope of work; establish the engagement budget; and take responsibility for the overall execution of the project through wrap-up and final report delivery.
• Stay abreast of current industry and economic developments relevant to the client'sbusiness.
• Designing the target finance operating model
• Improving the closing, consolidation and reporting cycle through technology
• Enhancing the decision making process by optimising the budgeting and forecasting processes
• Supporting as a functional Finance expert in the implementation of finance tools (ERP, Consolidation, Controlling, Reporting and Visualisation tools)
• Making the change happen in the finance teams by designing and monitoring transition roadmaps
• Display a logical thought process in understanding client challenges and exploring possible solutions.
• Identify and elevate potential risks and issues to project manager along with suggested preventive or mitigating actions.
• Develop your professional knowledge and experiences.
• Willingness to travel to meet client needs.

Skills and attributes for success

• Strong analytical, problem solving and interpersonal skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Positive attitude, team working and communication skills
• Excellent business acumen and commercial awareness
• Display teamwork, integrity and leadership.
• Demonstrated consistency in values, principles, and work ethic.

To qualify for the role, you must have

• A bachelor's degree in relevant fields such as finance, business, engineering, computer science etc.
• A minimum of 8 years' experience in industry or with a recognized consulting firm
• Fluency in English (oral and written)
• 5 or more years of consulting experience
• Experience with finance functions – Record to report processes involving account reconciliations, Journals, Transaction matching, Variance analysis, intercompany etc.
• Experience in pre-sales/business development/go-to-market roles
• Ability to lead client workshops and discussions to enable sales
• Knowledge on core Financial processes e.g. Financial Consolidation and Close, Cost Allocation and Finance Planning, AP, AR, Budgeting Processes etc
• Strong accounting skills and understands financial reports and statements . Experience implementing IFRS standards is preferred
• Should have knowledge of activities in financial close of an organisation for month/Quarter/Annual close
• Translate business requirements to technical language and model/program them in applications
• Managing/ supervising teams of people on project work
• Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure
• Open to travel (Domestic & International)

Ideally, you'll also have

• Demonstrable experience in Chart of accounts design
• Experience relating to the implementation of key finance solutions (ERP, EPM): Demonstrable knowledge of technical solutions like Oracle, BlackLine, Onestream, SAP, etc
• Practical knowledge of finance data architecture and financial reporting tools in the Financial service industry.

What we offer

Our promise to our people is an exceptional EY experience:

• Continuous learning & fast growth. Wide range of on- and off-the-job learning opportunities, and certification tailored to your individual career path.
• International experience. Working in an international environment with projects, events & initiatives, as well as a bright and energetic team.
• Flexibility & wellbeing. We’ll provide the tools, support, and flexibility, so you can make a meaningful impact, in your own way – a hybrid work model, flexible working hours, and part-time options.
• Transformative leadership. We’ll give you the insights, coaching and confidence to be the leader the world needs.
• Diverse and inclusive culture. You’ll be embraced for who you are and empowered to use your voice to help others find theirs.

What we look for

We are looking for the next generation of outstanding leaders to continue our legacy. Our top performers in the past have demonstrated deep knowledge of the finance operating environment, strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and an ability to adapt and collaborate in changing circumstances. If you are someone who exhibits a strong commitment to lead projects to completion on time and within budget while guiding junior team members through feedback and coaching, then this role is for you.

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EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients.