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Job Description
The Assistant Financial Accountant supports the Senior Financial Accountant in delivering accurate, timely and compliant financial reporting for the unit trust management companies.
The role is responsible for transactional accounting, general ledger processing, month-end close support, balance sheet and bank reconciliations, payments, cash management, management reporting, tax-related activities, and statutory and regulatory submissions.
The incumbent will maintain complete and audit-ready financial records, investigate and resolve reconciling items, support internal and external audits, and contribute to process improvement, with a keen focus on automation and the strengthening of financial controls across the UT Manco business.
Key responsibilities will include amongst others the following:
Financial accounting and month-end closing
- Process cashbook transactions and prepare journals supported by accurate calculations and documentation.
- Prepare and submit month-end accruals and recurring or ad hoc journals for review and approval.
- Support the completion of month-end and quarter-end close activities within agreed reporting deadlines.
- Perform general ledger reviews and investigate unusual or aged balances.
- Maintain complete, accurate and appropriately approved accounting records to trial balance level.
Reconciliations and balance sheet control
- Prepare monthly bank and balance sheet reconciliations.
- Investigate, resolve and escalate reconciling items within agreed timelines.
- Maintain supporting schedules and evidence for material balance sheet accounts.
- Monitor aged reconciling items and document corrective actions.
- Support periodic balance sheet substantiation and control reviews.
Payments, receivables and cash management
- Prepare and process supplier and ad hoc payments in accordance with delegated authorities and payment controls.
- Monitor debtor receipts and creditor settlements and follow up outstanding or disputed items.
- Maintain invoice listings and complete supporting documentation.
- Monitor cash balances and assist with short-term cash-flow requirements.
- Maintain bank account information and support banking mandate changes, subject to appropriate approval controls.
- Assist with KYC and related banking verification requirements.
- Ensure compliance with applicable procurement and i-Proc requirements.
Management and regulatory reporting
- Prepare quarterly HFM submissions and support disclosure schedules.
- Assist with regulatory and statutory returns, including quarterly SARB submissions.
- Prepare routine and ad hoc management information for relevant stakeholders.
- Perform validation checks and maintain supporting evidence for submitted information.
- Investigate reporting variances and provide clear explanations where required.
Tax, audit and compliance support
- Assist with supporting information for corporate income tax, VAT and other applicable tax submissions.
- Maintain complete supporting documentation for tax calculations and submissions.
- Respond accurately and promptly to internal and external audit requests.
- Support the implementation and monitoring of audit action plans.
- Escalate identified control, compliance or reporting issues promptly.
Process improvement and stakeholder support
- Identify opportunities to simplify, standardize and automate finance processes.
- Assist with the development, testing and implementation of process improvements.
- Prepare and maintain process documentation, standard operating procedures and detailed workflows.
- Investigate, resolve and, where necessary, escalate complex stakeholder queries.
- Assist with ad hoc projects and tasks as required.
Qualifications and Experience required:
- BCom Accounting degree, or equivalent.
- Two to four years of relevant financial accounting experience, preferably within financial services, investment management or unit trust administration.
- Practical experience in general ledger accounting, month-end closing, journal processing, balance sheet reconciliations and audit support.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including manipulation of large datasets.
- Experience with Oracle Fusion, HFM or a comparable ERP and consolidation system would be advantageous.
- Exposure to regulatory reporting, tax compliance or financial services control environments would be advantageous.
Skills
Accounting, Action Planning, Budget Management, Computer Literacy, Database Reporting, Data Classification, Data Compilation, Data Controls, Data Modeling, Evaluating Information, Legal Practices, Management Reporting, Numerical Aptitude, Oral Communications, Report Review
Competencies
Builds Networks
Business Insight
Collaborates
Courage
Drives Results
Ensures Accountability
Financial Acumen
Manages Complexity
Education
NQF Level 7 - Degree, Advance Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate or equivalent
Closing Date
17 September 2026 , 23:59
The appointment will be made from the designated group in line with the Employment Equity Plan of Old Mutual South Africa and the specific business unit in question.
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