Assistant Financial Accountant at Old Mutual South Africa

Job Description

• The Assistant Financial Accountant supports the Senior Financial Accountant in delivering accurate, timely and compliant financial reporting for the unit trust management companies. 
• The role is responsible for transactional accounting, general ledger processing, month-end close support, balance sheet and bank reconciliations, payments, cash management, management reporting, tax-related activities, and statutory and regulatory submissions. 
• The incumbent will maintain complete and audit-ready financial records, investigate and resolve reconciling items, support internal and external audits, and contribute to process improvement, with a keen focus on automation and the strengthening of financial controls across the UT Manco business.

Key responsibilities will include amongst others the following:

Financial accounting and month-end closing 

• Process cashbook transactions and prepare journals supported by accurate calculations and documentation. 
• Prepare and submit month-end accruals and recurring or ad hoc journals for review and approval. 
• Support the completion of month-end and quarter-end close activities within agreed reporting deadlines. 
• Perform general ledger reviews and investigate unusual or aged balances. 
• Maintain complete, accurate and appropriately approved accounting records to trial balance level. 

Reconciliations and balance sheet control 

• Prepare monthly bank and balance sheet reconciliations. 
• Investigate, resolve and escalate reconciling items within agreed timelines. 
• Maintain supporting schedules and evidence for material balance sheet accounts. 
• Monitor aged reconciling items and document corrective actions. 
• Support periodic balance sheet substantiation and control reviews. 

Payments, receivables and cash management 

• Prepare and process supplier and ad hoc payments in accordance with delegated authorities and payment controls. 
• Monitor debtor receipts and creditor settlements and follow up outstanding or disputed items. 
• Maintain invoice listings and complete supporting documentation. 
• Monitor cash balances and assist with short-term cash-flow requirements. 
• Maintain bank account information and support banking mandate changes, subject to appropriate approval controls. 
• Assist with KYC and related banking verification requirements. 
• Ensure compliance with applicable procurement and i-Proc requirements.

Management and regulatory reporting 

• Prepare quarterly HFM submissions and support disclosure schedules. 
• Assist with regulatory and statutory returns, including quarterly SARB submissions. 
• Prepare routine and ad hoc management information for relevant stakeholders. 
• Perform validation checks and maintain supporting evidence for submitted information. 
• Investigate reporting variances and provide clear explanations where required. 

Tax, audit and compliance support 

• Assist with supporting information for corporate income tax, VAT and other applicable tax submissions. 
• Maintain complete supporting documentation for tax calculations and submissions. 
• Respond accurately and promptly to internal and external audit requests. 
• Support the implementation and monitoring of audit action plans. 
• Escalate identified control, compliance or reporting issues promptly.

Process improvement and stakeholder support 

• Identify opportunities to simplify, standardize and automate finance processes. 
• Assist with the development, testing and implementation of process improvements. 
• Prepare and maintain process documentation, standard operating procedures and detailed workflows. 
• Investigate, resolve and, where necessary, escalate complex stakeholder queries. 
• Assist with ad hoc projects and tasks as required. 

Qualifications and Experience required:

• BCom Accounting degree, or equivalent.
• Two to four years of relevant financial accounting experience, preferably within financial services, investment management or unit trust administration.
• Practical experience in general ledger accounting, month-end closing, journal processing, balance sheet reconciliations and audit support.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including manipulation of large datasets.
• Experience with Oracle Fusion, HFM or a comparable ERP and consolidation system would be advantageous.
• Exposure to regulatory reporting, tax compliance or financial services control environments would be advantageous.

Skills

• Accounting, Action Planning, Budget Management, Computer Literacy, Database Reporting, Data Classification, Data Compilation, Data Controls, Data Modeling, Evaluating Information, Legal Practices, Management Reporting, Numerical Aptitude, Oral Communications, Report Review
• Competencies
• Builds Networks
• Business Insight
• Collaborates
• Courage
• Drives Results
• Ensures Accountability
• Financial Acumen
• Manages Complexity

Education

• NQF Level 7 - Degree, Advance Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate or equivalent

Closing Date

• 17 September 2026 , 23:59