Chief Accountant - Nigel at Alstom

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

The Chief Accountant will be responsible for the production of financial information for statutory and management purposes.   The Chief Accountant will ensure that there are sufficient internal controls in the business and ensure that financial issues are dealt with in accordance with the relevant statutory regulation and corporate procedures.  The Chief Accountant will be responsible for managing AR/AP Team and Accountants.

NETWORK & LINKS:

EXTERNAL:  Auditors, Banks, Customers, Suppliers, SARS

INTERNAL:  Tax, Internal Control/Audit, Treasury, ALSTOM Head office, Regional Management, South African Cluster  and other departments.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREA

• Timing and efficiency of periodic and intermittent deliverables.
• Accuracy and clarity of the information being produced.
• The completeness of the information being produced.
• Influence and improvement in financial performance for the unit.
• Demonstrate improvements made to working practices and procedures.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage the day-to-day activities of the direct reportees : accounts receivables, accounts payables and accountants or as required based on the structure of the finance team.
• Coordinate monthly and annual accounting matters with the GFC (shared service) team, as required.
• Support the performance management system through the use of objectives, appraisals and 1:1 reviews for all direct reports.
• Develop, implement and maintain best practice policies and procedures to ensure good financial control.
• Provide advice on financial matters, ensuring compliance with statutory regulations and corporate standards
• Monitor and review the balance sheet for multiple entities on a monthly basis in line with the deadlines.
• Review and provide cash forecast (Weekly, Internal, Budget) for multiple entities.
• Provide authorisation for transactions covered in the site Delegation of Authority.
• Provide sufficient bank account management for multiple legal entities by ensuring that all bank accounts are reported on the bank account database, all bank mandates contain a minimum of current managers, and all users conform with the SOD guidelines and are current permanent employees.
• Coordinate all reserve bank and other bank related matters for multiple entities.
• Where required, support the Business Development Team in the preparation financial information for tenders.
• Influence and drive financial awareness throughout the business by continuous improvement of site’s MD KPIs
• Champion Internal Control, ensuring that the internal control manual (SAPIN, ICQ and/or other) is adhered too and communicated throughout the organisation 
• Ensure all identified controls for the entities, (as process owner as well as site champion), are updated and reflective of the actual situation.
• Responsibility for the coordination and preparation of Internal and External Audits requirements as required, including the preparation of annual financial statements for multiple legal entities.
• Ensure all external and internal audit matters are managed till conclusion as well as ensuring that any internal or external audit findings are logged and actioned in line with deadlines.
• Ensure that Finance departmental work instructions are written, communicated and stored in an accessible place and are updated regularly to reflect continuous improvements.
• Provide back up to any of the processes within the finance department, except where segregation of duties do not allow.
• Preparation, validation and submission of the VAT and corporate income taxation return (SARS efiling and/or other as required).
• Ensure all VAT and corporate income taxation matters and risks are addresses as required  (for audits, SARS or other requirements).
• Other reasonable ad-hoc finance task, when required.
• Prepare and input of limited P&L related and balance sheet budget and forecast information.
• Coordinate the monthly closing and reporting process with the assistance of the local and GFC (shared service) teams for multiple legal entities, including the monthly publications of the relevant packs and coordination of the monthly financial results review process.
• Prepare management accounts and board information as required by the Site Controller.

ORGANISATION, MARKET AND BUSINESS UNDERSTANDING

• Knowledge Of Alstom Transport
• Knowledge Of The Domestic Market
• Knowledge Of Other Functional Areas Within The Organisation
• Knowledge Of The Relevant Product Line

PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS:  

• Project Performance Indicator (PPI)          
• Cash Performance Indicator (CPI)
• Gate review Go on time / OTD- GR
• Customer Satisfaction
• EHS when applicable

Qualifications And Special Certifications/Registration

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

MANDATORY:

• CIMA / CA(SA)

EXPERIENCE

• Experienced in Financial Accounting, Management Control and Statutory Reporting.
• Previous experience of managing a team.
• Ability to influence, persuade and obtain commitment.
• Excellent Communication skills – written, verbal and listening.
• Self-motivated with drive, resilience and enthusiasm.
• Good Organisation, project management and decision making skills.
• IT skills - Excel, PowerPoint and word.  Experience of an ERP system would be preferable.
• Experience in tax related matters

TECHNICAL SKILLS  COMPETENCIES

• At least 2 years’ experience of practical accounting at a senior level including supervision of staff, which demonstrates the ability to work to tight deadlines. 
• A proven record of achievement in Financial Management of a Business.
• A proven record of improvements in procedures and control.

WAYS OF WORKING BEHAVIOURS

• Accountability
• Controlling
• Empowerment
• Networking
• Sense Of Urgency
• Teamwork
• Transparency
• Negotiation Skills
• Trust
• Passion For Success