Senior Accountant - Installations at Alexander Forbes

Purpose of the Job:

• The purpose of this role is to install new business funds onto our systems, by collating all information and data provided by the previous administrator, reconciling, reporting on and loading the relevant information

Overview
         Education

• Matric – Essential
• Relevant Accounting Degree/ Tertiary Qualification or studying towards

Experience

• AF fund reporting or fund reporting experience within the Employee Benefits industry - 5 years minimum required

Key performance areas

• Operational and financial effectiveness
• Maintaining expenses in line with Branch standards and limits
• Maintaining & managing Fund Allocations

Fund installation functions– job role specific

• Notifying stakeholders of appointment within 30 days of notification
• Opening new bank account within 1 month of appointment date
• Maintaining and controlling the information requested from Previous administrator accurately and timeously (Meeting and requesting accounts information)
• Maintaining and controlling the follow ups on Information from Previous administrator accurately and timeously (Checking accounts installation checklists) (updated within 48 hours from receipt)
• Completing and submitting investment mandate for final review or signing within 1 month of appointment date
• Loading QAA reports onto the SARB Hub and QAAR system
• Requesting and loading investment portfolio bank account details on Khanya and updating the scheme analysis
• Requesting and loading reinsurance bank account details on Khanya and updating the scheme analysis
• Requesting PF130 documentation from the consultant and saving it under the permanent section of the year-end file.
• Following up on the balance of the previous administrator's bank account and performing the UA reduction of the General Account
• Preparing and sending draft SARB and Regulation 28 resolutions to the consultant timeously and accurately
• Checking and reconciling the information received & Installed onto the relevant accounting system accurately and timeously (Comparatives, TB and PA bank account) (within 2 weeks from receipt of information)
• Checking and reconciling admin vs accounts information, raising and resolving queriesaccurately and timeously (Admin v accounts)- Max 6 weeks period to full resolution from receipt of TB
• Complete Preparation for Handover of Installed fund to New Branch (Daily Work - max 2 wks after admin handover, Accurate Hand Over Note and Complete Installation checklist )
• Complete Preparation for Handover of Installed fund to New Branch (Year End - max 6 months from receipt of TB, Accurate Hand Over Note and Complete Installation checklist)
• Signed handover notes received and saved in server/sharepoint within 1 week of hand over meeting
• Daily work audit checklist has been signed prior to handover of daily work and all information has been saved onto sharepoint and the installations server.
• Year-end / installations audit checklist has been signed prior to handover of year-end / installations and all information has been saved on sharepoint and the installations server.
• Installations file review by branch manager/specialist.

Daily accountant functions (where applicable) – job role specific

• Daily work
• Prepares recons and pays administration fees and reinsurance premiums (accuracy)
• Pay adhoc expenses for the fund on receipt of approved invoice (including SARB)
• Prepares monthly trustee cash flows in line with procedure / client requests for
• Reconcile bank account monthly and prepare cashbook
• Clear UA accounts (Khanya) and all unknown deposits
• Clearing of debtors/creditors
• Prepare ALM and submit to Specialist, if applicable
• Khanya: Sending off remittances timeously and the updating of the control
• Action special investment instructions
• Prepare and submit Quarterly Asset Allocation reports
• Year-end work
• Preparation & completion of year-end audit file, including the clearing of queries from the Specialist

Preparation & completion of AFS on Fundi

• Preparation of segregated portfolio / surplus on Fundi
• Solving other complex queries
• Attending to audit queries, up until release of the financial statements
• Following up on release of AFS with auditors
• Following up with consultant on signed AFS
• Ensuring successful submission of AFS to FSCA
• Completing the above year end work within the given deadline

TCF

• Acquired skills and Knowledge - Individual's knowledge is up to date on industry trends/changes as well as AF products and service offerings. Measured by Branch tests set by Management and by the AF training department
• TCF - Living the AF values & making positive contributions to the Team/Branch by embracing and implementing TCF. Effectively managing client’s expectations and alleviate risks while embodying the SERVE principal

Client service

• Timeous & Accurate client communication in line with company and branch procedures and controls.
• Effective and efficient service delivery including Internal clients such as Financial ControlTeam, Consultants, etc.
• Quality and accuracy of work delivered both verbally and written, meets both internal and external customer expectations and is complete without errors
• Compliant in terms of AF complaints management procedure

Output, success and engagement

• Team contribution - Assists in times of absenteeism/pressure to ensure work delivery.
• Managing self - Management of processes and responsibilities. Ability to work independently.
• Timeous & accurate actioning of adhoc tasks assigned by Management
• Taking on additional responsibilities & making a positive contribution to the team/Branch by way of internal procedures & processes.
• Train junior staff where necessary
• Check daily work for junior staff members
• Competencies

Business skills

• The ability to carry out a business tasks effectively with determined performance and results within a given time.
• Planning time to achieve goals.
• Strong Retirement Fund industry knowledge.
• A working knowledge of the Pension Funds Act.
• Relationship building skills.
• Strong oral & written communication skills.
• Strong risk management skills
• Strong accounting knowledge
• Ability to multi-task .
• Ability to anticipate and manage change.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Innovative thinking and delivery.
• Problem solving/investigative mindset for historical queries.

Functional skills

• The ability to work co-operatively in a group, to be a member of a team and work towards the purpose of a common goal.
• To have the energy and drive required to meet the challenges of work.
• The willingness and ability to follow prescribed rules, procedures and instructions within a defined framework
• The ability to align your behaviour with the needs, priorities and goals through commitment and determination
• The ability to accept change and adapt ones approach to maintain efficiency within a variety of circumstances, and with individuals and groups within the organisation, processes,
• protocols, requirements, or cultures
• The ability to express oneself clearly in written communication in order that the content is understood by the receiver.
• A professional and friendly manner and the ability to deal with all levels in the organisation
• The ability to handle stress and problems without loss of focus, enthusiasm and professional composure.

Core competencies

• Analytical Thinking
• Strong decision - making skills
• Strong problem Solving / Investigative mindset for historical queries.
• Ability to think the bigger picture (Strategic Thinking)
• Ethical behaviour / honesty / transparency / modelling of values
• Excellence orientation
• Flexibility / adaptability
• Personal growth orientation / learning agility
• Resilience / perseverance
• Stress management
• Rule orientation
• Results & solution focused (drive, energy & follow through)
• Self-management (planning, prioritising & time management)
• Responsible and accountable
• Effective communication