Assurance Finance Business Partner at PwC South Africa

Purpose of Job

To support the assurance Finance lead on delivery of Line of Service business strategy, while being effective and demonstrating proficiency across financial performance management, decision support and business planning and forecasting.

Role Description

Responsibilities:     

• Plan, budget and forecast at sub-LoS and Cost Centre level. 
• Provide support on opportunity pricing and budgeting. 
• Liaise with the CoE (Centre of Excellence) and/or In-country finance lead on complex and cross border transactions such as withholding tax, exchange control, etc. 
• Provide commentary and analysis on LoS management and engagement reports e.g., Operating Statements, WIP (Work in Progress), Debtors, etc. 
• Act in the capacity as the liaison for billing and project setup, maintenance, provisions and adjustments for the assigned LoS (s) 
• Be the subject matter expert and consultant to the LoS on issues such as contract and project creation, WIP valuations and general NIC management. 
• Update project budgets in Oracle 
• Oversee the local finance project support role to ensure procurement and region/cost centre specific financial administration is up to date. 
• Drive communication and collaboration between the Line of Service and the different finance teams 
• Report and analyse on project, contract, Partner, LoS, Cost centre and client levels.
• Conduct ad-hoc tasks/projects to support business requirements.
• Develop an intermediate knowledge of the financial reporting systems, controls and processes that operate across business within the business at LoS and Cost Centre level.
• Develop an understanding of the business’s financial reporting policies and risk management frameworks in order to assess compliance and guide interpretation and training in relevant areas.
• Ensure alignment of processes with organisational strategy and take accountability for relevant processes within area of responsibility and ensure delivery and maintenance of standardised processes and controls.
• Support engagement teams on finance aspects throughout the engagement life cycle from pricing of project through to collections
• Support engagement teams with and resolve complex Oracle queries (Projects, Contracts & Invoicing). 
• Support LoSFL with generation & distribution of Business Unit, Network (Competency/Industry), Regional & Country Schedules. 
• Support engagement teams with WIP & AR Management (Set up meetings with EPs/EMs)
• Support staff in business with Timesheet management (Outstanding timesheets, Charge out Rates, etc.). 
• Support engagement teas with Days in Investment Management. 
• Monitor and report on collections & Billings.
• Support with on-boarding Basic Oracle Training. 
• Support with completion of bulk upload templates. 
• Support with Client & Employee Data Quality & Maintenance (Peoplesoft, Salesforce, Oracle and rate card management). 
• Conduct ad-hoc tasks/projects to support business requirements.
• Initiating, obtaining approval and processing of charges between chargeable and non-chargeable project codes where relevant.

Key Competencies and Attributes

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Advanced skills in financial planning and strategy development
• Skills in profitability management
• Financial performance reporting skills
• Advanced analytical, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency with financial software systems (knowledge or previous experience of Oracle).
• Excellent computer literacy skills, including advanced MS Office skills.
• Practical and technical knowledge of legal and regulatory issues affecting contracts, financial policies and procedures.
• Experience leading, coaching and developing staff.
• Ability to liaise and widely communicate (written and verbal) with internal, external stakeholders and PwC network contacts.

Qualification & Experience 

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in financial management in a professional services environment.
• Minimum of first degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics or any related discipline.
• Relevant professional certifications e.g., Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), CA (SA), Association of Certified and Chartered Accountants (ACCA), or its equivalent is an advantage.