Finance Manager at Guardrisk

Qualifications

• BCom Accounting, Financial Management, Management Accounting or Registered chartered accountant with South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (preferred)

Experience

• 6-8 years in financial management in an insurance environment
• 5 years’ experience in a managerial role
• Knowledge of the insurance and investment industry and applicable regulatory requirements and legislations
• Knowledge of Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and risk management principles 

Duties & Responsibilities

Oversee the delivery of Finance solutions that enable the achievement of business goals and objectives.(Internal Process)

• Manage the team responsible for the banking function for Guardrisk Group of companiesBuild and maintain relationships with clients and internal and external stakeholders and various bank relationship managers
• Portfolio support and management and servicing of all finance banking operations by working closely with the portfolio manager and other colleaguesImplement oversight and control of all bank accounts under the Guardrisk Portfolio to monitor unusual activity ensure compliance to  regulationsManage foreign bank accounts and foreign transactions, including managing SARB approvals where required
• Managing staff and providing support where required to ensure they carry out their responsibilities adequatelyOverseeing unallocated cash process and ensuring outstanding cash is regularly followed up and allocatedReviewing and signing off all promoter general ledger reconciliations and ensure all reconciling items are resolved withing a reasonable timeManaging the payments process and provide support to the relevant team members when required.
• Review payment documents and obtain the necessary source documentation and authorisation to effect payments timely and with thedetermined service level agreement levelsReview expenses on a monthly basis to ensure accurate allocations and variances to budget.Manage the expense budget annually and monitor variances on a monthly bassis
• Meeting company and client accounting, payment and reporting deadlinesContribute to the enhancement of systems and processes issues in order to enhance financial and banking managementIdentify and reconcile discrepancies and problemsManage the segment chart of expense accounts, cost-centre reporting hierarchy and levels of authority framework.Oversee the development, maintenance and optimisation of financial systems for the segment.Manage the fixed asset registers.
• Ensuring accuracy and timeliness of financial transactionsManaging month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processesResolving escalated operational issuesIdentify inefficiencies and implement process redesignBuild and maintain effective business relationships with the business in order to manage service delivery in line with business expectations and requirements.Oversee the annual Audit process and assist staff where necessary ensuring all Audit requirements are met 

Drive a client centric environment that focuses on best practice service delivery (Client Services)

• Build and maintain relationships with clients and stakeholdersDefine fair and innovative internal client service practices which build rewarding relationships, and allows team to provide exceptional client service.
• Engage with key stakeholders to identify changing internal client needs and make recommendations to align service offering with client needs. Contribute to a client service excellence culture which builds enduring relationships and allows team to provide exceptional client service.
• Develop client service level agreements and standards in order to ensure clients receive clear and accurate information and are kept  informed at all times.Drive efforts to improve client service and fair treatment of clients within area of responsibility.Incorporate internal client feedback into the enhancement of daily business processes and management operating systems.

Effectively lead team (People)

• Create a positive work climate and culture to energise employees, give meaning to work, minimise work disruption and maximise employee   productivity.Demonstrate exemplary leadership behaviour, through personal involvement, commitment and dedication in support of organisational values.
• Select and recruit suitably qualified talent in line with Employment Equity principles and MMI values Drive a culture that guides and directs best practice, fostering an environment of continuous learning, improvement and cohesiveness.Enable a learning and growth culture whereby information regarding successes, issues, trends and ideas are actively shared between team members.
• Execute effective workforce planning practices to ensure that staffing requirements are accurately forecastedIdentify employee growth and development needs and schedule interventions to enable ongoing development, training and personal growth.Effectively manage performance within the team in order to ensure business objectives are achievedEncourage innovation, change agility and collaboration within the team Share and transfer product, process and systems knowledge to colleagues.

Oversee the budgeting and financial reporting process and implement sound financial controls(Finance)

• Oversee and control the process for the budget for expenses.Oversee the monitoring of financial performance by measuring and analysing expenses monthly by comparing actuals to budget.
• Control the budget for area of responsibility, including the authorisation of expenditures and implementation of financial regulations.Implement and manage financial risk methodologies, techniques and systems and use to monitor and report on financial activities.
• Implement risk management, governance and compliance policies in own practice area, to identify and manage governance and risk  exposure liability.Investigate reported wilful acts of non-compliance to organisation policy and practice and report on findings.