Group Financial Planning & Analysis Manager at Absa Group Limited (Absa)

Job Summary

• Group Financial Decision Support (FDS), formerly known as BP&A, supports decision making within the Absa Group through the provision of relevant financial information and analysis at a Group-wide level. This function is also responsible for integrated planning and leading the annual budgeting process. This role supports the FDS Regional Head of Planning & Reporting (Head) in ensuring that internal financial planning and reporting across the Group supports effective decision making.

The Planning & Reporting team is responsible for:

• the overall financial planning across Absa Group (preparation and review of forecasts and short- and medium-term budgets that inform the Integrated Plan including restatements and rebase of plan where required)
• preparation of key financial reports including commentary for use by the Absa Group Exco and Board 
• analysis of competitors, trends, revenues, new products/businesses etc 
• preparation of briefing notes for annual results presentations
• balanced scorecard reporting
• ad hoc analysis and research, often related to presentations to Exco and other senior management

Job Description

Accountability: Assist the team in team executing the following deliverables to Exco and other members of senior management:

• Project management and analysis of key planning deliverables throughout the year: RAF, STP, Stress Testing and Integrated Planning outputs
• Monthly and quarterly key financial reports on financial performance
• Competitor analysis
• Research projects - gathering financial data and creating insightful, decision useful analysis and thought pieces
• Results presentations at half year and year end
• Other ad hoc projects and presentations
• Financial scenario analysis and stress testing
• Consolidating financial information for senior management
• Attend meetings to assist executives to understand and complete their tasks to achieve team goals

Accountability: RAF and STP review packs

• Assess the attainability and reasonability of the various strategic plans put forward by comparing them to market expectations, past performance and management expectations. Reliance is not simply placed on the numbers themselves but utilisation of various key metrics (RoE, RoRWA, CTI etc) is essential.  
• Compile review pack for submission to Exco and any other relevant committee. The pack together with commentary is necessary to provide a sounds basis on which the budget is approved.
• Interact with other departments such as Treasury, Risk and Group tax may be necessary to provide comfort and assurance that the more technical aspects of submissions (Risk weighted assets, Tax, Economic Capital etc) have been scrutinized and appear reasonable given the Groups economic out-look. Accountability: Ad-hoc requirements/submissions
• Execute ad-hoc queries on a daily basis that are dependent on external and internal requirements and vary considerably throughout the year.

Accountability: Ad-hoc requirements/submissions

• Attend various committee meetings in which one will use their understanding of e.g. margins, impairment trends or economic understanding to provide a valuable contribution. In some instances the contribution will be on a discussion basis and in others a submission to the committee is required.
• Provide other departments (Efficiency office, office of the CEO, treasury etc) with a range of information (analysis, forecasts and actual financial data etc) to perform their respective tasks. The information supplied may need to be package in a different format to make it relevant for their respective needs. An understanding of the roll-up structures within the Absa Business and good financial understanding is vital in this instance so as to avoid misrepresenting information.

Accountability: Interim and year-end reporting (Twice a year)

• Compile briefing packs used as summary and in some instances as additional detail for the annual and half year end financial statements. The packs are utilised by senior executives as a summary for interim and annual financial statements.
• Compile quick reference packs. An individual is required to engage with stakeholders such as Investor relations and the various business unit representatives to ascertain possible topical subjects and key financial data for the relevant period. Scope is also given to frequently asked questions by investors.
• Attend investor "one on one" sessions in which one would either play a support role to a more senior Absa representative or through a more passive role for educational purposes.
• Compile competitor analysis which compares the Group’s performance to peers.

Accountability: Manage Absa Group Limited queries

• Provide monthly feedback to Absa Group Limited Business performance management on the performance of the various Business units to date, the performance against budget expectations and provide guidance on possible future performances in light of future economic expectations and/ or past performances.
• Compilation, scrutinization and validation of financial performance submission packs to Absa Group Limited so as to provide Absa Group Limited with a view of performance to date and possible future expectations.

Accountability: Cluster Relationship Manager (CRM) roles

• Provide analysis support relating to role to respective cluster through submissions, due dates and planning Interact with and supply guidance to Business units on a daily basis
• Perform all other duties as reasonably assigned

People Investment Accountabilities

• Peer responsibility: Coach, inspire, engage, mentor and develop finance and business savvy leaders.
• Play to our A-Game culture of Culture of inclusivity, diversity, entrepreneurship, and ownership.
• Network with finance colleagues across GFD and create awareness of challenges, opportunities and issues and encourage collaboration
• Focus on Finance skills evolution and remaining relevant.

Qualifications and experience:

• B Com degree with Honours of Masters (major in Accounting, Financial Management or Economics)
• CA SA / CIMA (5-8 years post qualifying) or non-CA SA / CIMA (7-10 years’ experience in Financial Services organisation)
• Able to work effectively across a multi-service Financial Services organisation
• Previous exposure to financial management reporting in a financial services organisation

Knowledge and skills:

• Financial Accounting
• Report writing
• Analytical skills
• Self-driven and good interpersonal skills
• Attention to detail
• Deadline driven
• Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills

Preferred:

• Knowledge of financial markets
• Knowledge of economics

Competencies:

• Deciding and initiating action
• Learning and researching
• Entrepreneurial and commercial thinking
• Relating and networking
• Adapting and responding to change
• Persuading and influencing
• Creating and innovating

Education

• Postgraduate Degrees and Professional Qualifications: Financial Sciences (Required)