Co Head IFRS Technical and Advisory Services at FirstRand Corporate Centre

Job Description

Hello Future Co Head IFRS Technical and Advisory Services

FirstRand believes that its people are its single most important resource and will not operate in a sector unless it has people who are right for that market and who share FirstRand’s business values. We recruit self-starters who have a passion for what they do. We empower them, hold them accountable and reward them appropriately. We value diversity in our people, particularly for the way that this contributes to innovative thinking. If you think you will flourish in our environment, and you believe you have the necessary skills and competencies for the position advertised, then we are looking for you!

Are you someone who can:

Co-manage the daily and strategic operations of the Group Technical Accounting and Advisory function, and partner with management in the finance and tax community of the group, as well as external audit. Ensure compliance and reporting under IFRS accounting standards across the group by proactively managing internal and external stakeholders. Effectively lead a dedicated IFRS accounting standards technical team, across all experience levels, and

grow and develop a multi skilled team. Actively participate, drive and influence IFRS accounting standard discussions within the local and global communities.

In this role you will be required to:

IFRS advice and stakeholder partnering:

• Provide thought leadership and IFRS accounting standards expertise across the group.
• Define and provide strategic direction in terms of IFRS accounting standard application and adoption, as well as the impact on financial reporting for the group.
• Identify areas of non-compliance or inconsistent application and drive corrective action and processes.
• Participate in the creation of effective and efficient financial reporting within the greater reporting community.

IFRS compliance and reporting:

• Ownership of the compliance within financial statements and other relevant external reports, ensuring compliance with the relevant IFRS accounting standards, JSE Listings and Companies Act requirements.
• Identify interconnected problems, determine its impact and develop best fit alternatives, driving best practice solutions across the group.
• Drive the creation, implementation and maintenance of IFRS accounting standard group policies that are relevant and up to date with the latest developments in both the local industry and globally.
• Sign off on accounting treatments developed and documented by the Group Technical Accounting and Advisory team and liaise with auditors and independent advisors on accounting issues to obtain external audit sign off.
• Review and where necessary, preparation of submissions to the Group Audit Committee.
• Partner with the finance community and reporting teams in the financial reporting process of FirstRand and its subsidiaries.

Team development:

• Coach, develop and mentor staff on an interpersonal level.
• Mentor technical accounting and advisory managers to improve technical acumen and application, report writing skills and communication skills with business, as well as external auditors.
• Drive excellence from the Group Technical Accounting and Advisory team regarding interpreting, communicating, and advising on accounting standards and disclosures.
• Drive innovation and efficiency within the Advisory team.
• Where necessary, review and manage the financial position of the area through managing budgets, expenses and monthly management accounts.

Stakeholder management and relationships (internal and external):

• Maintain existing and build relationships that allow for the managing of expectations; the sharing of knowledge and diverse insights; and the creation of buy-in across the group (internally) as well as the IFRS technical and finance community (externally).
• Lead, support and perform functions in the group's preparation for adoption and implementation of new IFRS accounting standards and updated guidance where applicable, involving both business owners affected, group tax and external audit.
• Drive the annual CPD programme for the group.
• Participate in specialist communities of practice and represent the group at industry level to share best practice insights and solutions.
• Review comment letters to the IASB and ISSB on a timely basis to enable industry to collaborate and influence accounting standards changes.

You will be an ideal candidate if you:

• Are a qualified Charted Accountant, relevant post- graduate qualification is preferred.
• Have experience more than 10 years’ experience in a similar environment of which a minimum of 3 to 5 years at management level.

You will have access to:

• Challenging work in a complex and exciting environment
• Opportunities to innovate and create efficiencies.