Head GI Financial Reporting | Tygervalley at Sanlam Group

What will you do?

• You will be accountable and responsible for the accuracy, completeness, correctness and on-time financial reporting for the SAZ GI Cluster (end-to-end ownership).
• Specifically accountable and responsible to the Cluster CFO for supporting all aspects of the Group Financial Reporting process, including the submission of the group reporting instructions, the project management of the reporting process, the compilation and submission of the Cluster results, satisfactory resolution of all queries and all related ancillary aspects such as, the management of the compilation process for preparing the periodic financial statement disclosure notes. All activities are executed with and through the Tier leadership team.
• You will be responsible for building and leading a high-performing and continuously growing & innovative One Financial Reporting team that delivers high value strategic financial information and insight to the Cluster.

What will make you successful in this role?

Deliver high quality and timeous Financial Reporting

• Ensure the establishment of effective in-country reporting under IFRS as per JV standards and policy;
• Streamline the reporting process from entities to the hub and into the Group reporting tool (HFM);
• Ensure internal financial controls and financial IFRS compliance, as well as, ensure that all relevant Group Accounting policies are adhered to in our countries as well as at the hub;
• Overall ownership of the planning, project management and coordination of the Cluster’s Financial Close process including aspects such as, and the planning of the closing calendar and the work executed for reporting;
• Ensure timely reporting;
• Ensure proper review and control over the numbers reported for the GI Cluster ;
• Take full ownership of the GI Cluster results on Group Tools (e.g. HFM, TM1) including collaborating with SAZ Central team on consolidation topics (examples: ensuring the consolidation team receives the correct data, in the correct format, on time, to be able to perform the consolidation entries correctly. Take full ownership of the final Consolidated Cluster results produced by Group in terms of being responsible to fully explain these results and the changes that take place there-in. Through-out 2025, continue to take increased responsibility for the actual performance of the GI Cluster consolidation.).
• Strengthen the intercompany processes;
• Effectively and efficiently resolve emerging financial reporting problems such as, SOCE;
• Support of key in-country accounting matters e.g. merger accounting;
• Supervise the completion of annual financial statements (AFS) in-country by the agreed Group deadline; and
• Ensure timely sign-off on audits (Group reporting and in-country reporting);

Build a High Performing One Finance Team

• Build productive working relationships with, and between, the Tier leads
• Build productive Country CFO relationships, with initial emphasis on Tier 1 CFOs. Ensure effective ongoing two-way communication on all key financial reporting matters.
• With the support of the Tier leads, build a high performing One Finance team across the countries, the Hub and including Group, where collaboration, innovation and mutual support is optimized. 
• Ensure optimal collaboration with all Cluster CFO reports which will enable effective execution of the GI Cluster Finance strategy

Optimally manage key stakeholder relationships 

• Collaboration with all relevant stakeholders, including other teams in the GI Cluster;
• Manage relationships with Internal and External auditors at the hub and in-country level;

Transform the Finance function and deliver necessary special projects 

• Work effectively with the Finance Strategy & Change Lead and the Cluster CFO to ensure the optimal implementation of the GI Lighthouse transformation plan. There-after drive continuous innovation in the Reporting function and ensure the ongoing execution of the Cluster (and Group) Finance strategy;
• Collaborate with relevant countries and Group on M&A topics to ensure that the correct entries are booked by the GI team and what consolidation must be performed);
• Ad hoc support on M&A and valuation matters

Qualification and Experience

• Qualified Chartered Accountant or degree in economics and a master’s in management control, audit or information systems.
• 10+ years of practical accounting/insurance experience
• Bilingual in French and English would be beneficial

Knowledge and Skills

• Sufficient knowledge in applying IFRS and local statutory/regulatory guidelines and rules
• In-depth experience managing enterprise- wide accounting function
• Team leadership experience
• Accounting system knowledge 
• Deals effectively with ambiguity and resistance in a group setting

Personal Attributes

• Ability to plan and prioritise work to meet commitments
• Ability to manages complexity
• Organisational savvy
• Ability to optimise work processes
• Analytical skills
• Promotion of effective, timely, open and transparent communication on all important financial reporting matters
• Uphold high ethical values and build a strong culture of compliance with strong internal controls