Head GI Financial Reporting | Tygervalley

Sanlam Limited; Bellville; On-site; ZAR 800,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services organization seeks a Financial Reporting Manager in Bellville. You will ensure accurate and timely financial reporting, lead a high-performing team, and manage stakeholder relationships. The ideal candidate is a qualified Chartered Accountant with over 10 years of experience in accounting or insurance, and knowledge of IFRS is essential. This role focuses on enhancing the financial reporting process and fostering collaboration across teams.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of practical accounting/insurance experience.
• Bilingual in French and English would be beneficial.
• Ability to deal with ambiguity and resistance in a group setting.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high quality and timely Financial Reporting.
• Build productive relationships among Tier leads and with Country CFOs.
• Collaborate with relevant stakeholders, including other GI Cluster teams.

Skills

Knowledge of IFRS

Team leadership experience

Analytical skills

Education

Qualified Chartered Accountant

Master’s in management control, audit or information systems

Job description

Overview

SanlamAllianz is the largest Pan-African, non-banking financial services organization on the continent. Our operations span across 27 African countries (excluding South Africa), with focus areas including life insurance, general insurance, retail credit, health, bancassurance, and asset management. Our core values are Innovation, Care, Integrity and Collaboration, guiding our vision to be the most admired financial services group in Africa. We strive to nurture a high-performance, energising and engaging culture where employees feel cared for, empowered, challenged to perform, and confident.

You will be accountable for the accuracy, completeness, correctness and on-time financial reporting for the SAZ GI Cluster (end-to-end ownership). You will support all aspects of the Group Financial Reporting process, including submission of group reporting instructions, project management of the reporting process, compilation and submission of the Cluster results, resolution of queries, and management of the compilation process for periodic financial statement disclosure notes. All activities are executed with and through the Tier leadership team. You will be responsible for building and leading a high-performing One Financial Reporting team that delivers high value strategic financial information and insight to the Cluster.

What will make you successful in this role?

Deliver high quality and timely Financial Reporting

• Establish effective in-country reporting under IFRS as per JV standards and policy
• Streamline the reporting process from entities to the hub and into the Group reporting tool (HFM)
• Ensure internal financial controls and IFRS compliance, and adherence to Group Accounting policies in-country and at the hub
• Own the planning, project management and coordination of the Cluster’s Financial Close process, including closing calendar planning and reporting execution
• Ensure timely reporting
• Review and control the numbers reported for the GI Cluster
• Own GI Cluster results on Group Tools (e.g., HFM, TM1) and collaborate with SAZ Central on consolidation topics; explain results and changes; increase responsibility for actual GI Cluster consolidation through 2025
• Strengthen intercompany processes
• Resolve emerging financial reporting issues such as SOCE
• Support key in-country accounting matters (e.g., merger accounting)
• Supervise completion of in-country annual financial statements by the Group deadline
• Ensure timely sign-off on audits (Group and in-country)

Build a High Performing One Finance Team

• Build productive relationships among Tier leads and with Country CFOs; ensure ongoing two-way communication on key financial reporting matters
• With Tier leads, develop a high performing One Finance team across countries, the Hub and Group, emphasizing collaboration, innovation and mutual support
• Collaborate with Cluster CFO reports to enable effective GI Cluster Finance strategy execution

Optimally manage key stakeholder relationships

• Collaborate with relevant stakeholders, including other GI Cluster teams
• Manage relationships with Internal and External auditors at hub and in-country levels

Transform the Finance function and deliver special projects

• Work with the Finance Strategy & Change Lead and the Cluster CFO to implement the GI Lighthouse transformation plan and drive ongoing innovation in the Reporting function
• Collaborate with countries and Group on M&A to ensure correct entries and consolidation requirements
• Provide ad hoc support on M&A and valuation matters

Qualification and Experience

• Qualified Chartered Accountant or degree in economics with a master’s in management control, audit or information systems
• 10+ years of practical accounting/insurance experience
• Bilingual in French and English would be beneficial

Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of IFRS and local statutory/regulatory guidelines
• Experience managing enterprise-wide accounting function
• Team leadership experience
• Accounting system knowledge
• Ability to deal with ambiguity and resistance in a group setting

Personal Attributes

• Ability to plan and prioritise work to meet commitments
• Ability to manage complexity
• Organisational savvy
• Ability to optimise work processes
• Analytical skills
• Promotes effective, timely, open and transparent communication on financial reporting matters
• Upholds high ethical values and strong internal controls

Core Competencies

• Cultivates innovation
• Customer focus
• Drives results
• Collaborates
• Being resilient

Build a successful career with us

We’re committed to building strong, lasting relationships with our employees and supporting their career and personal development within our five business clusters: Sanlam Fintech, Sanlam Life and Savings, Sanlam Investment Group, Sanlam Allianz, Santam, MiWay, and the Group Office.

Turnaround time

The shortlisting process will start after the application due date. The timeline depends on progress and manager availability.

Our commitment to transformation

The Sanlam Group is committed to transformation and embraces diversity. This includes a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace. The Group’s Employment Equity plan and targets will be considered as part of the selection process. EEO statements remain in effect as required.