Country Controller at Citi

The Country Controller role is responsible for managing the financial and regulatory reporting and the related controls and responsibilities include oversight and providing support to the relevant finance leads and team members.

The purpose of the role is to manage and oversee the process regarding all reporting elements across finance and ensuring that strong controls are applied and implemented during the reporting processes, opportunities for process improvements are identified and implemented along the way.

The Country Controller is also responsible for providing support to the CFO to protect the Franchise and to ensure Citi is appropriately managing financial and regulatory reporting risks and ensure appropriate controls and processes are in place.

The role is based within the South African Finance team and reports directly to the CFO. The Role will manage the Controller related responsibilities and cover the 2 legal entities in the South African Franchise i.e. the banking entity (CBNA SA) and the broker-dealer entity (CGM SA).

Responsibilities:

• Accountable for financial and regulatory reporting and the related controls.
• Contributes to the integrity and control of company’s financial books and records as well as the process by which these records are generated
• Participates in efforts to embed consistent controls and unify various controller functions performed that includes; assessing & standardizing financial reporting; setting controls around corporate/regulatory reporting; recommend balance sheet integrity.
• Ensures a strong control framework and a robust MCA process aligned to Controller Regional guidelines.
• Contribute to continuous strengthening of the independent controls and the control environment throughout the country to support the business in efforts to grow responsibly
• Drive the proactive tracking of and remediation corrective actions for all control related issues identified
• Identifying areas where process improvements can be made to achieve efficiencies and a strong control environment;
• Support the improvement of data quality as it pertains to financial and regulatory reporting
• Support the CFO with ad-hoc requests
• Provide support (committee packs, analysis of information for business purposes) for various management committee meetings and external meetings, including ability to assist with chairing meetings where required
• Presenting at committees such as Regulatory Reporting Governance committee amongst others where required
• Produce metrics to senior management highlighting key regulatory issues and remediation status and maintain and enhance related operational and analytical procedures
• Responsible for the external statutory audit process and manage audit engagements
• Ensure that all Internal audits are proactively managed, (preparation, planning, fieldwork and actions)
• Ensures that the local legal entities are in full compliance with the Legal Entity Standards Policy
• Manages a team of professionals, which includes performance evaluation, compensation, hiring, disciplinary actions and terminations and budget approval.
• Proactively manage the Citi Shared Services partners, working closely with Budapest Regulatory teams (Reg CSC) and the Finance and Risk Operations (FRO) to ensure timely accurate reporting process
• Participate in Regional/Cluster Finance initiatives and rollouts
• Appropriately assess risk when business decisions are made, demonstrating particular consideration for the firm's reputation and safeguarding Citigroup, its clients and assets, by driving compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, adhering to Policy.
• Applying sound ethical judgment regarding personal behaviour, conduct and business practices, and escalating, managing and reporting control issues with transparency, as well as effectively supervise the activity of others and create accountability with those who fail to maintain these
• Working closely with business partners and risk functions and escalate control issues identified appropriately

Qualifications:

• Chartered accountant or equivalent
• Relevant Accounting/Finance or risk related qualifications
• Risk and/or Actuarial related qualifications will also be considered

Experience:

• Strong Experience in Banking or Auditing
• Strong experience in Financial and Regulatory Reporting Environment
• At least 5 years of hands on managerial experience
• Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment experience an advantage
• Financial accounting with IFRS experience
• Prior knowledge of Finance and Regulatory reporting platforms will be an added advantage

Competencies

• A highly motivated self-starter with an assertive character, a hands-on approach and who aspires to being a key contributor in a dynamic team environment of professionals.
• Strong interpersonal and Team management skills are essential.
• A pro-active decision maker who has the ability to champion Finance initiatives
• Displays clear accountability and ownership of issues and who has strong leadership capabilities.
• Ability to multi task and to be able to prioritize in a deadline driven environment.
• Good verbal and written communication skills and able to communicate his/her position clearly and defend it at various reporting levels.
• Planning and time management
• Strong presentation skills