Commercial Analyst: Project Accounting

Job category: Banking, Finance, Insurance. Stockbroking

Contract: Permanent

Remuneration: Market Related

EE position: Yes

The JSE recognises that its success and strength depend on the quality of its employees. We are committed to fostering a culture of continuous learning and high standards of performance. Our employee wellness programme is designed to encourage work-life balance for employees. We naturally seek to empower staff and encourage diversity and opportunities for all.

We are currently recruiting for an experienced Commercial Analyst – Project Accounting to join our team.

Job summary

To prepare and analyse timely and accurate project information for the stakeholders, prepare project budgets and forecasts aligned to JSE's strategic objectives, and provide expert financial guidance on account information in support of commercial decision making for the JSE.

• Prepare and present on a monthly basis the project information (actuals and forecast numbers) for reporting in various Manco meetings.
• Prepare and present on a quarterly basis the project information together with the APMO (Agile Project Management Office) team for reporting in the quarterly Exco LPM meeting.
• Prepare the separate financials for each ongoing project on a monthly basis where the projects actuals and forecast are tracked against the budget.
• Attend the various project sponsor meetings and present the separate financials on a monthly basis.
• Perform month-end functions:
• Prepare capitalisation calculations and journals for internal and external resources on a monthly basis.
• Prepare relevant accrual journals, and reclassification journals for the projects on a monthly basis.
• Track the various WIP accounts of ongoing projects on a monthly basis and ensure project cost is accurate.
• Prepare forecast for the projects based on resource forecast received and any known risk on a monthly basis.
• Prepare depreciation forecast on a monthly basis.
• Prepare information required for Exco deck and notes pack for monthly reporting.
• Work closely with the HR team to obtain the necessary resource information required to assist with the capitalisation journal.
• Hold monthly meetings with the project managers/project owners to ensure that actual costs tracked are complete and accurate, review and discuss the time booked for the month.
• Discuss progress of the project/risks pertaining to the project and review how actuals are tracking against budget.
• Provide input into formalisation of the Finance Department's divisional budget and assist in the coordination and consolidation thereof in order to ensure that the information provided meets the expectation of the finance team.
• Produce and maintain monthly timely and accurate project accounting information with supporting commentary on variances, statistics and other required analysis.
• Facilitate the entire project planning and budgeting process creating and ensuring strict adherence to the budget timetable, populating the budgets with business units, timeous communication of material issues and changes, and creating standardised high-quality presentations with supporting commentary and analysis.
• Review and approve project-related contracts received from the procurement team.

• Maintain sustainable working relationships with stakeholders through ongoing engagement to ensure an understanding of their needs and maintain an open channel of communication at all times in supporting the department to achieve its business objectives.
• Develop and sustain relationships with administrative staff to facilitate the effective procurement to pay process with service providers/vendors/suppliers.
• Gauge stakeholder satisfaction through regular meetings and 360 feedback reports which will include any positive or negative feedback received from the stakeholders regarding the professionalism and timeous nature of interaction.

• Manage own delivery against agreed deliverables and set timelines, identify obstacles to delivery and take appropriate action where required.
• Analyse the monthly, year to date as well as annual actuals information and compare against budget and forecast in order to determine and explain variances.
• Perform monthly review and analyses of the annual view in order to determine the variances to track the expenses and revenue against the original budget and last month estimate.
• Perform the rolling forecast activities in order to track the revenue and expenses against the budget and adjust the expenses and revenue for the future months as per discussions with business stakeholders.
• Compile management accounts packs that will include financial as well as non-financial information for stakeholder review in support of commercial decision-making.
• Compile the budget pack in alignment with the JSE strategy, which will contain both financial and non-financial information in order to present the budget to the board, audit and HR committees for approval.
• Analyse project accounts to identify potential risks and advise stakeholders on risks identified as well as corrective action to be taken in order to mitigate risks.
• Create cost control awareness activities during budget and rolling forecast meetings to prevent unbudgeted expenditures and improve cost efficiencies within the various divisions.
• Consult with relevant manager to review progress against department plans and targets and to identify areas where corrective actions are required in order to ensure delivery of agreed results.
• Provide financial information in assistance to the compilation of the business cases for future JSE initiatives in order to ensure profitability and long-term sustainability as well as to identify potential financial risks and opportunities.
• Act as back-up to other Commercial Analysts to ensure a continued flow of the FP&A business processes and functions.
• Identify obstacles and major challenges through continuous review of processes and standards in order to ensure effective operational alignment to strategic priorities.
• Attend to ad-hoc financial information requirements and queries as requested by the stakeholders to assist with commercial business decisions and in continuation of business and increased productivity.
• Support Financial Accounting during external audit periods to ensure successful conclusion of the audit. Support includes providing audit related information, attending audit meetings and queries.

• Improve personal capability and professional growth in line with JSE objectives by discussing development needs and proposed solutions with management.
• Be an effective team member encouraging teamwork and freely sharing knowledge.
• Visibly live the JSE values contributing to the achievement of divisional objectives.
• Manage self in terms of development, delivery and act as a self-starter.

• Identify, share and implement value-adding improvement/innovative ideas and solutions contributing to divisional and JSE results.
• Review relevant finance processes and procedures on a continuous basis and provide input in order to ensure that the most efficient methods are implemented and applied.

• BCom Degree
• Post-graduate (Honours / CTA) Degree / Accounting / CIMA (Chartered Institute for Management Accountants) would be advantageous.
• At least 3 years' relevant industry experience, as a Project Accountant or a similar role.

• Income tax
• Other relevant industry standards and regulations