Management Accountant (6-months FTC) (Parktown) at Hollard Insurance

Job Purpose

• To compile and analyse financial records and to report on those to business and other stakeholders (e.g. Finance Business Partners, Divisional CFO, General Managers and External Partners/Finance Heads). 

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure commission is calculated accurately by the system and paid timeously
• Managing the commission and billing team
• Timely and accurate preparation of underwriting Income Statement, Balance Sheet reconciliations and analysis of results
• Continuous liaison with, and support of the business partners
• Processing of underwriting budgets and forecasts and ensuring the accuracy thereof
• Review the prepared budgets and forecasts
• Provide analysis and explanations on the prepared budget and forecasts
• Be able to provide valuable input and challenge business on the assumptions
• Timely posting of journals and preparation of balance sheet reconciliations
• Assist with defined ad hoc projects according to business needs
• Authorisation of banking payments
• Continuous improvement of accounting processes and controls in line with internal and other stakeholder needs
• Assist in the audit process by liaising with auditors and providing relevant audit support
• Be able to maintain accurate scheme accounting and no audit issues arising from the portfolio responsible for
• Ad hoc responsibilities when they arise that are finance related
• Liaise with administrators to ensure data integrity
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to ensure query resolution
• To escalate unresolved challenges to finance business partner
• To assist the divisional finance team with meeting its objectives
• Timeous preparation of the commissions file for payment
• Maintain mutual beneficial relationships throughout the business
• Perform the functional management of all aspects of the operational systems and financial system
• To ensure that all issues with operational systems are reported promptly to IT for logging.
• Work closely with all the business units in planning the resource for and executing testing required on changes to the operational systems.
• Advise IT on changes, amendments and automation which need to be made to the operational systems to ensure effective and smooth operation
• Management and support of the Junior Management Accountants
• Work under limited supervision, both independently and within a team environment

Required Knowledge and Experience    
Experience

• A minimum of 5 years relevant experience
• Life Insurance experience
• Commission experience- experience would be an advantage
• Computer literacy – MS Office – Excel & Work – advanced

Knowledge and Skills

• IFRS and International accounting standards (incl IFRS17)
• Related legislation
• In depth knowledge of financial accounting and related processes
• Exceptional business acumen and broad business knowledge
• Customer service orientation
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills
• Analytical thinking skills
• Time management (Able to plan, organize and prioritize workload to meet deadlines)
• Good planning and organising skills
• Time management skills
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Deadline/Delivery driven
• Initiative and proactivity
• Team player
• Self-managed
• Integrity
• Assertiveness
• Ability to work well under pressure during Budget and Year end cycles
• Ability to work with external stakeholders, prepare MBR slides.

Educational Requirements    

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance
• CA(SA) or CIMA certification