Assistant Accountant at Reinsurance Group of America

Position Overview

• To assist and support the Head of Finance to ensure:
  • SA and US GAAP reporting compliance
  • regulatory compliance of SA companies
  • effective management of the financial operations of RGA SA
  • effective management of the compliance duties for RGA SA
  • effective management of the risk management duties for RGA SA supporting the Risk Actuary in this regard

Responsibilities

• Accounting/Financial Management/Financial Reporting
  • Ensuring cash management policies are followed
  • Preparation of management information as required.
  • Maintenance of appropriate accounting systems (general ledger & subsidiary ledgers)
  • Provide Aid as needed on audits both internal and external
  • Assist with the tax computations (Income Tax) by preparing specific schedules that accompany the return
  • Preparation and submission of VAT returns and ensuring SARS tax compliance
  • Preparation of Annual Financial Statements in accordance with IFRS
• Daily cash management
  • Completing weekly and monthly bank recons and monitoring bank balances of all accounts.
  • Arranging transfers between the operating bank account and the call account.
  • Maintaining of banking mandates and ensuring that Standard Bank & HSBC is informed of any changes.
  • Maintaining of credit cards accounting and feeds to Peoplesoft, ensuring that all slips are attached, and that each manager has approved the relevant expenses.
• Maintenance of Fixed asset records
  • Capturing all fixed asset purchases and updating supporting schedules, ensuring they balance.
  • Identification of all fixed assets and ensuring the list corresponds to what we physically have in our possession.
  • Maintenance of Insurance for all Fixed Assets on a quarterly basis.
• Expenses
  • Monitoring and Processing expense payments
  • Checking that appropriate authorisation has been provided for expenses prior to payment
  • Capturing all expenses into Peoplesoft
  • Preparing and capturing expense accruals on a monthly basis.
  • Assist with preparing annual expenses Budget for SA
  • Preparing monthly expense vs. budget analysis for SA

Requirements

• B.Com majoring in Financial Accounting or equivalent
• Completion of SAICA articles would be beneficial
• 5-10 years’ relevant experience working in a Finance department
• Good accounting experience (including preparation of financial statements) using IFRS accounting principles - Knowledge of US GAAP would be advantageous
• Reinsurance experience a bonus
• Computer literacy (MS Office with intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel skills. and MS Access skills a bonus)
• Up to date knowledge of IFRS accounting practices
• Up to date knowledge of SA VAT legislation
• Good time management skills
• Professional communication skills (report writing, presentations, minute taking)
• Effective stress management skills
• Ability to deal with colleagues in other offices as part of a global organisation.