This is a 4 months CONTRACT POSITION with the possibility of going permanent upon satisfactory performance.

JOB Description:
Financial Accounting:
Form part of the financial accounting & reporting team.
Oversee technical accounting standards – both new and existing accounting standards.
Proactive implementation of new accounting standards applicable to the Bank.
Assist with the year-end external audit function.
Assist with the preparation of all company AFS and glossies.

Reporting and consolidations:
Take care of all financial control reporting requirements.
Oversee the consolidations function of the Bank - Bidvest Financial Services.
Apply consolidation knowledge to future acquisitions.

Annual Financial Statements:
Preparation & completion of AFS, incl:
• All entity AFS (including subsidiaries);
• Bidvest Bank glossies;
• Assist with external audit;
• Apply new IFRS statements / pronouncements to AFS;
• Updated accounting policies;
• Completion within deadlines;
• Detailed review on all AFS before submission to FM and all review comments (FM /audit) completed accurately first time to avoid delays

Technical IFRS and “acquisitions”:
Assist with all technical accounting aspects of the Bank:
• Understand the impact of new IFRS statements and pronouncements on the Bank;
• Treatment of all accounting aspects in line with accounting policies;
• Technical accounting of all products in line with IFRS;
• Proactively manage changes in accounting policy where required;
• Technical accounting opinions on new products, projects;
• Technical accounting treatment to new acquisitions (IFRS3, IFRS10).

Management reporting pack:
Preparation of all group reporting including:
• Prepare & review all reporting prior to final review by FM (including self -review if document is self-prepared);
• All numbers to be accurate and comparable to prior year/prior month;
• Recon internal to external reports for accuracy where applicable;
Preparation and self-validation of monthly pack including:
• Accounting and disclosure in line with IFRS & AFS;
• Enhance disclosure if required.

Year-end reporting pack:
Validation of year end accounting and tax pack:
• Address pack limitations for the Bank in line with IFRS & AFS;
• Proactively address limitations with Group;
• Preparation and completion of the year end pack for submission to the bank's Group.

Flash reporting:
Preparation of the monthly flash reporting process including:
• Prepare internal & external flash formats;
• Understand and assist with underlying composition of monthly reporting numbers;
• Submit within WD3 deadlines;
• WD3 internal vs external flash recon for accuracy;
• Recon of Bidvest Group flash numbers prior to submission;
• Prepare flash commentary for submission by 8th each month.

Regulatory reporting link:
Build relationships with the regulatory reporting department and provide reporting support from financial control related requirements in terms of regulatory reporting.

Audit committee & other relevant reporting:
Preparation of the necessary financial reports as required for the committee meetings each quarter.

Manage the Group's expectations & relationship:
Manage the relationship between the Group and thet Bank in respect of reporting – there should be no conflict arising:
• manage expectations;
• maintain high standard and good working relationship;
• Look for opportunity to improve processes if/where required;
• proactively look to submit information early and before deadlines (and nothing to be submitted late);
• regular meetings;
• information submitted to be accurate, detailed, informative (no errors or comebacks).

External audit:
Assist with full external audit & year end function including:
• Ensure internal / external audit requirements are met by business units within deadlines;
• Build finance relationship with external audit;
• Regular interaction with external auditors (before and during audit) to ensure expectations are met;
• Proactive involvement with the process to ensure efficient and cost-effective audit and only positive feedback from auditors;
• Accurate year end accounts and tax packs (requires detailed review and understanding of all numbers/workings);
• All internal and external deadlines met.

Training and development:
Provide training & development to finance staff – where applicable.
Provide environment where employees can apply what they have learned.
Develop training and encourage career advancement.

Personal development:
Take ownership for driving own career development.
Achievement of objectives set out in personal development plan.

Culture and leadership:
Positively contribute to overall culture the department.
Drive / implement the Bank’s vision as required.
Maintain inter-personal relationships. Willingness to assist others & sharing knowledge.
Maintain a positive attitude.
Proficient in at least English – Speak, Read and Write. Motivate staff.

Internal & external audit reports:
Co-ordinate completion and implementation of audit reports in respect of finance:
• Drive businesses throughout the Bank to implement audit findings timeously;
• Regular follow up to ensure follow up comments are low risk.

General:
To assist the Financial Manager with ad hoc tasks as required.

Working hours:
Standard 8AM to 5PM with some overtime as and when needed.

Personal skills:
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to perform duties with limited supervision
• Deadline orientated with attention to detail
• Hands-on, proactive approach
• Working knowledge of Accounting Software will be advantageous

Requirements:
• Must pay keen attention to detail.
• Should be a team player.
• Assertive individual who will be able to implement new reporting controls and procedures as required.
• Ability to work well and maintain focus under pressure.
• Honesty, trustworthiness and high ethics are non-negotiable.
• Good communication skills and must be able to interact with staff at all levels within the Bank (from Senior management to junior level).
• Assertive, self-starter, motivated.
• Positive, energetic individual, ability to engage with direct reports and add value to processes.
• Take ownership for tasks and see them through to completion.
• Ability to identify opportunities for process efficiencies and drive the process to completion.
• Should have a broad knowledge of Banking and banking related products.
• Should have a keen interest for financial reporting, technical accounting and financial control.
• Strong technical accounting background is advantageous.
• Prior experience in consolidations advantageous.
• Will be reporting to the Financial Accounting and Reporting Manager.
• The position can present good growth prospects within the organisation into the future
• Prior experience with CaseWare would be advantageous
• Prior experience with Great Plaines would be advantageous
• Qualification: A bachelor's degree; a graduate degree is recommended.
Preferred CA(SA),
1-5 years relevant experience within a similar role in a Bank (group finance or financial control environment).