Product Controller at Absa

This position ensures that all activities and duties are carried out in full compliance with regulatory requirements, Enterprise Risk Management Framework and Internal ABSA Policies and Standards.

Job Description
Accounting and Reconciliation Management: Perform accounting-related tasks
The Product Control Governance and Controls Team carries out the following:

• Performing duties of a First Line of Defense team which include:

• Evaluate the control Environment by understanding end to end processes; identifying inherent process risks; establishing Risk tolerance for process risks and identifying where controls are required
• Respond to the controls by ensuring they are appropriately designed, implemented and weaknesses are remediated
• Monitor and Test controls in accordance with the ABSA Assurance Standard

• Defining, maintaining and updating Policies and Standards applicable to Product Control
• Attendance of GLRS, Adjustment and KRI meetings and identifying risk items and challenging in these meetings
• Facilitate PC specific Policy and Process Training and involvement in the GFDF Training Academy
• Collation of Material Reporting Packs for SARB, FRRC and Group Finance KRI
• Data ownership – Ensuring the quality and accuracy of the data going downstream to other infrastructure areas
• KRI controls – standardizing these across Product Control teams and reporting to senior management

Accountability: Control environment:

• Understands and complies with all applicable governance, compliance and risk policies and procedures
• Fosters an atmosphere of compliance, ensures regulations are observed, and puts relevant processes in place for staff to escalate problems
• Accountable for implementation of Group’s risk control framework for area of responsibility. This includes but is not limited to oversight of the teams’ responsibility across:

• Sound understanding of the system and product flows, the risks associated with the breaks and root cause remediation
• Thoroughness, rigor and attention to detail regarding products, processes and controls
• Help Product control teams understand material risks and issues
• Challenge existing processes and controls ensuring best practice across finance

Accountability: Technical knowledge:

• Excellent understanding of relevant and up-to-date technical knowledge, applications and techniques.
• Recognized as an expert in their discipline.
• Continually delivering process improvement and challenging the status quo
• Champions best practice.
• The ability to appraise issues/situations quickly and to identify appropriate next steps

Accountability: Projects/Change

• Efficiency – looking for continuous improvement in the efficiency by which the desk carries out its work.
• Reporting – looking for continuous improvement in the reporting ability and performance of the desk
• Control – looking for continuous improvement in the ability of the desk to control the business

Skills Required:

• Energetic and proactive approach
• Strong product knowledge
• Robust control mentality
• Proven IT understanding
• Strong communication and influencing skills

Education And Experience Required

• B degree/similar qualification in a financial/related discipline with 5-7 years’ relevant experience or CA(SA) with 2 years PQE experience
• Investment banking or Product Control experience preferred

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
  The Product Control Governance and Controls Team carries out the following:
• Performing duties of a First Line of Defense team which include:
• Evaluate the control Environment by understanding end to end processes; identifying inherent process risks; establishing Risk tolerance for process risks and identifying where controls are required
• Respond to the controls by ensuring they are appropriately designed, implemented and weaknesses are remediated
• Monitor and Test controls in accordance with the ABSA Assurance Standard
• Defining, maintaining and updating Policies and Standards applicable to Product Control
• Attendance of GLRS, Adjustment and KRI meetings and identifying risk items and challenging in these meetings
• Facilitate PC specific Policy and Process Training and involvement in the GFDF Training Academy
• Collation of Material Reporting Packs for SARB, FRRC and Group Finance KRI
• Data ownership – Ensuring the quality and accuracy of the data going downstream to other infrastructure areas
• KRI controls – standardizing these across Product Control teams and reporting to senior management

Accountability: Control environment:

• Understands and complies with all applicable governance, compliance and risk policies and procedures
• Fosters an atmosphere of compliance, ensures regulations are observed, and puts relevant processes in place for staff to escalate problems
• Accountable for implementation of Group’s risk control framework for area of responsibility. This includes but is not limited to oversight of the teams’ responsibility across:
• Sound understanding of the system and product flows, the risks associated with the breaks and root cause remediation
• Thoroughness, rigor and attention to detail regarding products, processes and controls
• Help Product control teams understand material risks and issues
• Challenge existing processes and controls ensuring best practice across finance

Accountability: Technical knowledge:

• Excellent understanding of relevant and up-to-date technical knowledge, applications and techniques.
• Recognized as an expert in their discipline.
• Continually delivering process improvement and challenging the status quo
• Champions best practice.
• The ability to appraise issues/situations quickly and to identify appropriate next steps

Accountability: Projects/Change

• Efficiency – looking for continuous improvement in the efficiency by which the desk carries out its work.
• Reporting – looking for continuous improvement in the reporting ability and performance of the desk
• Control – looking for continuous improvement in the ability of the desk to control the business

Skills Required:

• Energetic and proactive approach
• Strong product knowledge
• Robust control mentality
• Proven IT understanding
• Strong communication and influencing skills

Education and Experience Required

• B degree/similar qualification in a financial/related discipline with 5-7 years’ relevant experience or CA(SA) with 2 years PQE experience
• Investment banking or Product Control experience preferred

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