Senior Manager - Financial Accounting Advisory Services

Iris Software; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 300 000 - 400 000; Full time

Job summary

A global professional services organization is seeking a Senior Manager in Johannesburg to lead and manage complex client engagements, especially in IFRS 18 advisory services. The role requires deep expertise in IFRS, strong leadership skills, and experience working with clients in the electricity and public sectors. The Senior Manager will also mentor team members and contribute to business development efforts. This position offers the opportunity to make a significant impact within a diverse and dynamic team environment.

Qualifications

• Deep technical expertise in IFRS, including IFRS 18.
• Strong experience in delivering financial accounting advisory services.
• Proven ability to manage complex client engagements.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex FAAS client engagements ensuring high-quality outcomes.
• Advise on complex accounting matters in the electricity and energy sectors.
• Develop and mentor team members and lead performance management.

Skills

IFRS knowledge

Client leadership

Advisory skills

Financial reporting expertise

Education

Relevant professional qualification

Job description

EY is a globally integrated professional services organization that provides Assurance, Advisory, Tax and Transaction Services. Within EY’s Assurance service line, the Financial Accounting Advisory Services (FAAS) team delivers high-impact accounting, financial reporting, and regulatory advisory services to clients across Africa and EMEIA.

The Assurance team at EY Johannesburg / Cape Town is seeking a Senior Manager to play a leadership role in managing complex client engagements, driving quality and growth across the FAAS portfolio, and leading client readiness and implementation support for IFRS 18 – Presentation and Disclosure in Financial Statements, with a specific focus on electricity, energy, and public sector / SOE clients will be beneficial.

Job Purpose

The Senior Manager will work closely with FAAS Leadership, Partners and Associate Directors to lead and deliver complex advisory engagements across Africa and EMEIA. The role requires deep technical expertise in IFRS, including IFRS 18, strong client leadership.

The Senior Manager will play a key role in IFRS 18 awareness, gap assessments, implementation support, audit readiness, and stakeholder communication, supporting electricity and SOE clients through complex financial reporting, regulatory, and governance environments.

In addition to delivery responsibilities, the Senior Manager is expected to contribute meaningfully to practice growth, solution development, quality initiatives and thought leadership within FAAS, particularly in the energy and public sector space.

Client and Delivery Responsibilities

Manage quality of service delivery

• Lead and oversee multiple, complex FAAS client engagements, ensuring delivery of high-quality outcomes in line with EY Global Standards.
• Serve as a senior IFRS subject matter expert across one or more FAAS solutions, including:
  • Financial Accounting and Reporting Excellence
  • Accounting Processes and Controls
  • Regulation, Governance and Financing
  • Audit remediation and audit readiness
  • IFRS 18 readiness, implementation and transition support
• Lead IFRS 18 engagements for electricity, energy and SOE clients, including impact assessments, gap analyses, implementation roadmaps, management performance measure (MPM) assessments, and audit readiness support.
• Advise clients in the electricity and energy sector on complex accounting matters, including revenue recognition, regulated activities, asset-heavy balance sheets, long-term contracts, government support, and public‑sector governance considerations.
• Review and sign off on complex technical deliverables, including IFRS 18 position papers, accounting policies, presentation formats, and disclosure frameworks.
• Identify, manage, and resolve service delivery risks and quality matters proactively.
• Lead and contribute to IFRS 18 and energy‑sector technical training, both internally and for clients, including finance teams, audit committees, and boards.

People and Leadership Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop Managers, Assistant Managers, and broader engagement teams.
• Act as a technical mentor on IFRS 18 and electricity‑sector accounting matters, supporting capability build across FAAS and Assurance.
• Take ownership of performance management, feedback, coaching, and career development of team members.
• Identify high‑potential talent and support succession planning within the FAAS practice.
• Foster a strong culture of quality, accountability, collaboration, and technical excellence.

Business Development and Practice Growth

• Actively support Africa and EMEIA FAAS leadership in driving revenue growth, margin management, and strategic initiatives, with a specific focus on IFRS 18 and energy‑sector advisory services.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with Partners, global FAAS teams, and other EY service lines to originate and deliver cross‑service opportunities.
• Lead or significantly contribute to proposals and pitches.
• Support the expansion of key client relationships and development of long‑term trusted‑advisor status within the energy and public sector space.
• Contribute to energy‑