Specialist Accountant: Group Financial Reporting at Sanlam Group

What will you do?
Responsible for financial analyses or for a division providing financial accounting services for head office and/or group companies. Applies principles of accounting to analyse financial information and prepare financial reports.  Compiles and analyses financial information to prepare entries to accounts, such as general ledger, documenting business transactions. Analyses financial information detailing assets, liabilities and capital. Prepares balance sheets, profit and loss statements and other reports to summarize and interpret current and projected company financial position. Audits contracts, orders and vouchers and prepares reports to substantiate transactions prior to settlement. Installs, modifies, documents and coordinates implementation of accounting systems and control procedures. Makes recommendations regarding the accounting of reserves, assets and expenditures. May have supervisory and/or client relationship responsibilities.

What will make you successful in this role?
Management reporting duties:

• Preparing monthly management reporting to Sanlam Limited EXCO.
• Assist in preparing annual Group budget.
• Trial balance controls/Reconciliation accounts.
• Interim and annual reporting:  Preparation and/or co-ordinating of the Shareholders Information section
• Support IFRS 17 implementation for management reporting

Statutory reporting duties:

• Review of and support for technical working papers that serve as input to the annual financial statements and integrated report.  Depending on capacity within the team, it could also include the compiling thereof.
• Preparation and coordinating of reports in respect of the interim and annual reporting periods (not limited to annual financial statements only):

1. Sanlam Limited
2. Sanlam Life Insurance Limited group and company
3. Sanlam Group

• Preparation of other subsidiary financial statements and management of audit process.
• Technical project involvement (could include all aspects of project management)
• IFRS 17 implementation (including system specifications and testing, transition disclosures, assessing impact on other areas such as capital risk management disclosures, etc.)
• General IFRS technical support to the rest of the Sanlam Group, including training sessions (group and/or individual)
• Other JSE related reporting requirements:  Completion of checklists, SENS announcement, Summarised results, advertisements (but not limited to). 
• Facilitating the groupwide CPD programme for staff belonging to accounting professional bodies (coordinating and arranging of events)
• Unlisted valuations:
• Review of the valuation of unlisted investments (portfolio and strategic) for submission to committee/board approval
• Good understanding of valuation principles and the models applied
• Works in collaboration with the Group Actuarial team that provides governance in respect of the model applied
• Compiling of Strategic and Portfolio reports for the SNLACB meeting (Sanlam Non-listed Assets Controlling Board), including all the addendums
• Audit liaison and compiling of sensitivity disclosures for Sanlam Group financial statements.
• Deferred share plan (including Out Performance Plan):
• Valuation of current year awards and payment instructions
• Annual valuations (PowerBI) and compiling of schedules for the businesses
• General ledger entries for Group Office
• HFM consolidation entries
• General accounting support to the businesses
• Audit liaison and facilitating of the distribution of deliverables
• Compiling of related disclosures (Sanlam Group and Life Group financial statements) 
• Restricted share plan:
• Payment instructions of current year awards
• General ledger entries for Group Office
• Review workings/entries processed by other businesses
• HFM consolidation entries
• Regulatory reporting:
• Assist with regulatory reporting as and when required

Other functions:

• Updating of various group reporting timetables and key deliverables
• Documenting guidelines, processes and procedures where appropriate
• Audit liaison during interim and year end reporting periods
• Functional and user acceptance testing of all relevant systems as and when required
• All other ad hoc tasks that may be required from time to time

Qualification and Experience

• Qualified accountant (CA (SA)
• A minimum of 2-4 years experience in an accounting/financial environment
• Similar relevant experience in the insurance/financial industry 
• Experience in using Sanlam’s financial reporting systems (Hyperion Financial Management/SAP/PowerBi) will be to your advantage
• Specialist Knowledge (preferably insurance industry):  Understands technical or professional aspects of work and continually maintains technical knowledge (eg IFRS)
• Well informed about or proficient in the use of modern technology and digital solutions

Knowledge and Skills

• Financial Analysis
• Financial Information Review
• Financial Reporting
• Financial Queries and Recommendations
• Financial Controls

Closing Date: 31st, March 2022