Senior Manager : Financial Accounting and Treasury at University of Fort Hare

Key job functions
Lead the Financial Accounting & Treasury function

• Provides input & insights as member of the leadership team
• Guides development & review of relevant policies & procedures of own portfolio
• Sets goals, objectives & priorities aligned with strategy for portfolio
• Translates strategic goals into tactical & operational plans for this portfolio
• Leads the human resources team & other resources as per structure
• Devises corrective action plans to address unit’s performance deviations
• Monitors portfolio KPI achievement & institute corrective action

Financial Planning & Budgeting

• Plans & prepares for the budget process for own portfolio
• Implements & manages financial management protocols & prescripts
• Manages & monitors budget expenditure within the portfolio
• Manages resources economically & prevents unauthorised, wasteful expenditure
• Monitors management, maintenance & safekeeping of financial & other assets
• Provides standard monthly financial reports

Organisational Unit Staff Management

• Communicates strategy, plans & strategic objectives with team
• Plans HR allocation, acquisition, retention & motivation based on Resource Plan
• Engages in selection & recruitment processes of own portfolio
• Assesses team's competence & knowledge levels aligned with HR interventions
• Discusses individual employment contracts with HR Leadership & staff
• Manages staff performance using the Performance Management System
• Manages own portfolio's disciplinary process in conjunction with HR

Financial Accounting, Treasury & Financial Reporting

• Stays abreast of the financial policy, procedures & processes
• Prepares & analyses financial reports, statements & disclosures
• Manages & maintains the accounts in the general ledger
• Compiles Executive Committee presentations
• Authorises journal entries for expense allocation to cost centers
• Conducts analyses, interprets information & makes recommendations
• Liaises with tax managers to monitor tax compliance in reporting
• Manages treasury operations & processes
• Monitors adherence to procedures and standards of financial accounting
• Monitors the reconciliation of bank accounts
• Monitors and manages all accrual accounts
• Monitors, reviews and analyses key provision accounts & expense accruals
• Reports on accrual/provision accounts
• Analyses & provides feedback on expenses vs approved budget
• Produces variance analyses of costs vs budget
• Drafts ad hoc & regular management reports

Treasury management

• Monitor and review bank account movement
• Maintain relationship with bankers
• Optimally place funds
• Bank facilities and signatories maintained
• Foreign exchange transactions managed

Financial Accounting Process Improvement & Compliance

• Stay abreast of changes in accounting standards, regulations & best practices
• Identifies opportunities for process improvements, automation & streamlining
• Monitors compliance with internal controls, policies & regulatory requirements
• Reports on Process Improvement & Compliance opportunities implemented

Minimum qualifications and experience:

• Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting (NQF 7), Postgraduate Degree/Diploma in Accounting.
• Chartered Accountant (SA)
• 8 years’ experience of which 5 have been at a supervisory level in a large or complex organisation
• Registered with SAICA as a CA(SA)
• Proven track record in financial accounting & treasury operations
• Exposure to higher education or nonprofit organisations