Financial Accountant at PPS

The Financial Accountant: Group Finance is responsible for the processing and reporting of financial transactions of PPS Wealth Advisory (Pty) Ltd, FS4P (Pty) Ltd and Advisory Services & Enablement division. Reporting to the Senior Manager: Group Finance, the incumbent is responsible for the capturing, reporting, reconciling and commentary of financial information for the entities.

Main duties and responsibilities:

Processing:

• Processing transactions on the general ledger system including income, expenses, provisions, etc
• Responsible for the invoicing and monitoring of payments between company and suppliers
• Advising and implementing new processes and controls for new transactions

Reconciling:

• Reconciling all balance sheet accounts to third party documentation
• Resolving outstanding issues timeously

Management Reporting:

• Preparing monthly management reports, including commentary on variances in the income statement (I/S) and balance sheet (B/S) for all entities
• Monitoring of income and expenses to the budget by entity and obtaining/articulating reasons for variances

Budgeting:

• Overseeing and managing the budget process for all entities
• Inputting of budgets for central costs and revenues for all entities
• Working with executive management and aligning the budget and forecasts with the entity’s strategy
• Reviewing of budgets and obtaining a sound knowledge of what is driving income and expenses
• Assessing the adequacy of budget and forecast assumptions used by management
• Preparing budget presentations for ExCo and Board budget meetings

Statutory reporting:

• Preparing the annual financial statements of all applicable entities
• Attending to audit queries
• Preparing of solvency test where applicable

Cash flow:

• Preparing projected cash flows to determine financing requirements of the entities

Team support:

• Providing input into tax and statutory reporting
• Running of all trial balances from Great Plains
• Assisting with ad hoc requests

Formal Qualifications:

• Matric (Grade 12)
• B. Com (Honours) with 3 to 5 years’ working experience

Experience and Knowledge:

• Working technical knowledge of IFRS - IFRS4 or IFRS17 not a requirement.
• Proven track record of being involved in the preparation or audit of annual financial statements
• Proven track record of being involved in budgets
• Knowledge of the insurance industry an advantage

Strategic Orientation:

• Key person ensuring control environment is sound regarding financial reporting
• Responsible for preparation of general ledger items, reconciliation and reporting
• This role gives technical input into accounting for all entities

Communication:

• Articulate and communicates in a logical way and structures information to meet the needs and understanding of intended audiences, including senior management/executives
• Expresses opinions, information and key points of view clearly and assertively
• Confident in conceptualising, building and presenting plans related to presentations
• Anticipates and responds appropriately to the needs, reactions and feedback of various stakeholders internally and externally

Commercial Acumen:

• Able to prioritise and work under pressure
• Able to meet strict deadlines
• Managing process and people to meet strategic objectiv

Computer Literacy:

• Adept in the use of the latest MS Office package, particularly Excel, Word and Power-point
• Exposure to various software solutions
• Knowledge of Great Plains an advantage

Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Skills:

• A confident self-starter
• Able to communicate and confidently work with senior management
• Strong attention to detail
• Persuasive and influential with good networking skills
• Good presentation skills
• Manages expectations
• Self-aware
• Professional
• Responsible & accountable