Manager Reconciliation at Absa Group Limited (Absa)

Job Summary

• Manage the preparation and submission of daily/monthly recons for attestation. Includes the raising of the necessary IAR and BNR. Substantiation of the reconciliations in accordance to the AO&R policy. Manage adherence to policies, procedures, risk and controls. Responsible to assist with strategy and business requirements of reconciling the general ledger and associated sub systems. Provide leadership to team and provide assistance and cover for the manager. (2IC)

Job Description

Accountability:  Manage – Balancing and Reconciliation (25%)

• Manage the teams’ delivery to confirm completeness and accuracy of the reconciliations prepared by the reconciler and approved by the reviewer.
• Review the activity of the reviewer and reconciler, under their leadership and ensure correct mandates and controls are adhered too.
• Ensure that the teams understand their responsibilities and raise any concerns to the Line Manager in respect of any training needs;
• Review identified items at risk and advise the line Manager and/or the business
• Controller of any corrective action where required.
• Monitor the differences that team members have identified, and escalate any major differences or out of balance or any other discrepancies immediately to the line manager and/or business.
• Monitor the issues identified by the team on the relevant system on a daily basis and follow-up long outstanding issues
• Monitor that Absa policies are adhered to with regards to the reconciliation disciplines, service level agreements and general ledger accounting as per AO&R policy.
• Develop and sustain knowledge and experience on the end to end processes, including product systems and general ledgers, in order to support business units with enhanced service delivery
• Engage with Internal Audit and External Audit in the various audits within scope of responsibility.

Accountability:  Risk and Control (30%)

• Assist  in  implementing  all  processes  and  controls  required  and  understand  and communicate any Risk management frameworks to team that impact the area.
• For accounts not fully reconciled or where long outstanding items have been identified, these need to be escalated to the line manager and/or business controller.
• To minimize Risk and to prevent loss.
• Manage identified IAR (items at risk) and advise the line Manager and/or the business controller of any corrective action where required;
• Monitor  the  differences  that  reconcilers  have  identified,  and  escalate  any  major differences or out of balance or any other discrepancies immediately to the line manager and stakeholders on a daily basis.
• Assist with any Audit findings raised and work to close out these in the required time frame.
• Monitor the issues identified by the reconciler on the relevant system on a daily basis and follow-up long outstanding issues.

Accountability:  Business Management (10%)

• Recommend process or other changes as required in order to streamline processes and enhance efficiency.
• Identify and/or recommend changes to be made to the reconciliations, based on the review performed, from the reconciler prior to escalation to the line Manager
• Continuously  identify  areas  to  improve  efficiency  and  reduce  costs  by  enhancing business processes.
• Explain targets based on the strategy to   the   team and take   accountability for   the   monitoring and achievement of performance objectives in the department in terms of employee satisfaction, customer experience, cost performance, return on investments, risk, and compliance and governance requirements. Create quarterly and monthly plans to ensure delivery for the year.

Accountability:  Customer Service (5%)

• Manage and assist with escalations of all queries received. If unable to resolve refer to line Manager for Guidance.
• Provide Direction and input to enable Business Units to manage and resolve client and balancing issues
• Build relations with the users in order to assist in resolving queries by meeting with them on an ad-hoc basis.
• Build relationships with stakeholders and be aware of any internal and/or external system and/or industry changes that will impact our business and support stakeholders when needed.
• Guide users with queries on rejections, error recycle and journals.
• Assist business with reconciliation and balancing problems that may arise by providing expert advice or conducting investigations into suspect or non-standard reconciliations
• Ensure effective customer service. Determine the root cause of the problems and assist with resolution.
• Ascertain  clients  (internal  or  external)  needs  through  probing  and  listening  to determine the root cause of problems and to ensure effective service.
• Ensure the satisfaction of the customer (internal or external) needs by ensuring the team deliver efficiently, ensuring high quality of work and by meeting the required deadlines
• Assist staff with unresolved or complex queries from clients within SLA of receipt to ensure query resolution.
• To follow up and support the branches/SBU’s to clear the outstanding items.

Accountability:  People Management (25%)

• Manage the performance of the team by implementing the appropriate actions as required by the Performance Development process of the Group (i.e. contracted performance development plan which is reviewed regularly in line with the formal PD cycle)
• Identify,  coach  and  manage  talent  within  the  team  and  implement  appropriate development actions to grow and retain staff.
• Formulate  and  implement  effective  succession  planning  for  the  team  to  ensure coverage for all key positions.
• Undertake disciplinary action where necessary in accordance with the Group’s disciplinary policy and procedures.
• Document and maintain all  HR related staff documentation and files for team and self
• Support teams self-development.

Accountability:  Personal Development (5%)

• Ensure adequate and relevant training for the role resulting in full competent delivery on all contracted objectives. This includes the completion of the compulsory online training modules.
• Take ownership of one self-development and Performance/objectives plan. Ensure this is in place: request one if not.
• Ensure complete hand off of information around all processes and procedures related to your role are communicated to the new incumbent.

Education and experience required

• Diploma/Degree or Min NQF6
• 5 - 8 years banking Experience in a Reconciliations function
• 1-2 years Leading a team

Knowledge and skills: (Maximum of 6) 

• Ability to effectively manage a team
• In-depth Accounting knowledge
• Planning and organizing
• Intermediate Computer literacy (Microsoft)
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Numerical competence
• Problem solving ability with a strategic outlook

Competencies: (Maximum of 8 competencies)

• Leading and supervising
• Delivering results and meeting customer expectations
• Working with people
• Deciding and initiating action
• Coping with pressure and setbacks
• Persuading and influencing
• Creating and innovating

Education

• Bachelor`s Degrees and Advanced Diplomas: Financial Sciences (Required)