Senior Financial Accountant

Keen to become part of a truly global, collaborative team of professionals? Your journey begins here.

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION

Responsible for handling financial matters in respect of the London and local shared service offices and the coordination of financial affairs in the international offices. 

Accountable for transaction processing, reporting, control and decision support.

Manages core financial reporting while leading projects to make accounting workflows faster, more accurate, and automated.

ROLE DESCRIPTION

Manages core financial reporting while leading projects to make accounting workflows faster, more accurate, and automated.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Accounts Preparation: Management and Statutory Accounts:

• Assist in the preparation of monthly management accounts for the London office and provide support to the various Business Team directors of the firm (eg, human resources, technology, office services, etc.) .
• Incorporate the trial balances and cash books of some non-UK offices into the firm's consolidated monthly accounts.
• Passing accounting adjustments, journal processing, the review of balance sheet control accounts and forecasts.
• Contribute to the preparation of quarterly Group management accounts for the firm, together with supporting commentary explaining and interpreting the results.
• Assist in the preparation of the Group's Limited Liability Partnership financial statements under applicable International Financial Reporting Standards.
• Assist in the preparation of the statutory financial statements of some of the LLP's subsidiary undertakings.
• Create audit files and answer any audit queries that may arise.
• Load payments to suppliers and assist with Statutory Returns (VAT, Provisional Tax, Income Tax, CIPC, etc.).
• Produce and send global functional reports.

Analysis, Explanation and Interpretation:

• Review and understand key trends and variances in the figures as well as the explanation of these to both finance and non-finance staff.
• Correspondence and meetings as required with senior manager and heads of departments to discuss monthly reports, variances, trends and future expectations.
• Correction of any errors in posting and dealing with other queries raised.
• Work with International finance teams to help them understand their results.
• Prepare global functional reports that is analysed by senior management.

Budget:

• Assist in the preparation of the firm's annual budget for certain London support departments. This requires close liaison with London based senior managers.      
• Work with non-UK office managing partners and finance teams in order to produce their annual budget.
• Assist with the preparation of the global budget.
• Testing of budget systems/tools.
• Provide training to other accountants.

Additional Roles or Responsibilities:

• Perform additional duties or responsibilities, which fall reasonably within the ambit of the job description, or in accordance with operational requirements.
• Review work, train, and mentor junior accountants.
• Testing, review and development of adhoc finance projects.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

REQUIREMENTS PROFILE

EDUCATION

• Grade 12 or equivalent – Required
• Bachelor of Commerce / Business Science in Accounting or Equivalent – Required
• Honours degree/ CIMA/ SAIPA - Recommended
• Articles – Recommended

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in Financial Accounting at Operational level – Required
• Minimum 1-2  years’ Supervisory Experience at Operational level – Required

System Skills:

• Microsoft Office – Intermediate
• 3E – Recommended
• OneStream – Recommended
• Power BI – Required
• Chrome River / Emburse Enterprise - Recommended

Mental & Environmental / Legal Requirements:

• This position demands exceptional quality, attention to detail, strict adherence to pre-determined deadlines in a high pressure environment.
• Ability to deliver on tasks independently.
• High level of resilience and persistence.
• Ability to work with all levels within an organization.

Technical Skills:

• Highly numerate and competent in Excel (for fee analysis and reporting) with a high degree of financial acumen.
• Proficient in pivot tables and v-lookups, for manipulating large quantities of data.
• Analytical review, interpretation of trends and delivering results in a deadline environment.
• Ability to troubleshoot and analyze data.
• Working with multiple currencies and stakeholders located at multiple locations concurrently.
• Commitment to ethical behavior with a willingness to adhere to all company policies and current financial legislation.
• Ability to liaise with stakeholders at all levels effectively and efficiently.
• Ensure adherence to regulatory frameworks (such as IFRS) and manage external/internal audit schedules
• Workflow process automation experience
• The use of PowerBI to prepare key financial data for senior management.

Behavioral Competencies:

• Flexible approach to work and responsibilities.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent communication skills (listening, written and spoken).
• Customer service mind set.
• Self-motivated and eager to learn.
• Positive attitude
• Ability to handle queries efficiently with diplomacy and tact.
• Ability to follow instructions precisely.
• Adapting and responding to change.
• Strong work ethic with an inherent sense of urgency.
• Working constructively with others.
• Delivering through others.
• Able to be self-proficient and work independently on tasks.
• Support junior accountant staff.

Additional Considerations

• Working Hours: 9.00 am – 17:30 pm Monday to Friday or 09:30 – 18:00 (variable depending on team workload)
• Applicants must have a clear criminal record
• Applicants must be South African citizens
• Preference will be given to Employment Equity candidates
• Preference will be given to candidates who are living with a disability