Operational Accountant at FEM

Job Description

• FEM is seeking a skilled and detail-oriented Operational Accountant to join the Operational Finance team. Reporting to the Operational Finance Manager, the successful candidate will provide financial oversight across pension and claims accounting processes, ensuring the accuracy, validity and completeness of transactions and payments. The role supports financial governance, operational controls, reconciliations, reporting and audit requirements while contributing to the integrity of pension and claims-related financial information and compliance with regulatory and internal control requirements.

Key Responsibilities

The key responsibilities of this role include, but are not limited to:

• Validate pension awards, extensions, commutations and related calculations in accordance with COIDA, internal policies and approved procedures.
• Review and validate pension and claims-related payments, ensuring accuracy, completeness, compliance with Delegation of Authority requirements and appropriate supporting documentation prior to payment release.
• Perform and review bank and account reconciliations, investigate variances and ensure timely resolution of reconciling items.
• Process and review journals and accounting entries, maintaining appropriate supporting documentation and audit trails.
• Ensure the integrity of pension and claims-related financial information through effective controls, monitoring and analysis.
• Prepare management reports, financial analyses and commentary on pension and claims expenditure, highlighting trends, risks and key drivers.
• Support month-end and year-end activities, including reporting, reconciliations and financial governance requirements.
• Support internal and external audits by providing accurate records, supporting documentation and timely responses to audit queries.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, process optimisation and the enhancement of controls within the Operational Finance function.

Education Requirements

Minimum:

• CIMA or SAIPA Qualification or BCom Accounting, BCompt, BCom Financial Management or equivalent (NQF Level 7)

Ideal:

• Degree with Accounting as a major.
• Relevant professional accounting designation or progress toward such designation.

Training and Knowledge

Minimum:

• Knowledge of financial accounting principles and practices.
• Functional computer literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Knowledge of balance sheet reconciliations and creditor payment processes.
• Understanding of financial controls and governance requirements.

Ideal:

• Knowledge of the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA).
• Exposure to financial systems within a financial services or insurance environment.
• Understanding of financial governance, audit requirements and regulatory compliance.

Experience Requirements

Minimum:

• 3 to 4 years' experience in a financial accounting, finance operations or operational finance role.

Ideal:

• Experience in pension administration, claims accounting, finance operations or payment validation environments.
• Experience within a financial services, insurance or compensation fund environment.
• Experience performing financial analysis, reconciliations and payment controls.

Key Competencies

• Analytical thinking and problem-solving.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Financial control and risk awareness.
• Planning, organising and time management.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Accountability, integrity and sound judgement.
• Continuous improvement and process optimisation mindset.