Ifrs Specialist: Group Financial Reporting

Who are we?
Sanlam was established as a life insurance company in South Africa but has since transformed into a diversified financial services group that operates across the African continent, India, Malaysia and selected developed markets, with listings on the Johannesburg, A2X and Namibian stock exchanges. In 2018 the Group celebrated its centenary as well as 20 years since demutualisation and listing in South Africa and Namibia. Sanlam is one of the largest internationally active insurance groups in the world with a presence in 43 countries and has the biggest non-banking financial services footprint on the African continent.

The Group's four business clusters (Sanlam Life and Savings, Sanlam Investment Group, Sanlam Emerging Markets and Santam) house the Group's business operations. The Group Office provides strategic direction and support to the four clusters, assisting them in realising their strategies and meeting their business objectives. The Group Office is responsible for governance and for the Group's centralised functions, which include: Finance, Actuarial and Risk Management, Strategy, Human Resources, Market Development and Brand Services.
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?
IFRS 17 implementation (including system specifications and testing, transition disclosures, assessing impact on other areas such as capital risk management disclosures, etc.). This will include support to the management information team and not limited to IFRS reporting.
Preparation of technical working papers, including memos for audit committee. This will include the review of and support for technical working papers/memos prepared by the clusters. Also facilitate obtaining audit opinions from the group audit technical teams, addressing queries and the sign-off thereof by the auditors.
Completion of IFRS checklists and coordinating of reports in respect of the interim and annual reporting periods (not limited to annual financial statements only):
Sanlam Limited
Sanlam Life Insurance Limited group and company
Sanlam Group
Addressing technical issues raised by auditors as part of interim and annual report glossies review, including considering and implementing new reporting requirements in HFM and/or additional pack:
Sanlam Limited
Sanlam Life Insurance Limited group and company
Sanlam Group
Technical accounting related project and initiatives involvement and implementation (could include all aspects of project management)
General IFRS technical support to the rest of the Sanlam Group, including training sessions (group and/or individual)

**Value added proposition to Stakeholders**:
Technical partnerships with the corporate finance and cluster teams
Monitoring JSE publications and identify/implement Sanlam improvements. (eg Reporting back on proactive monitoring of financial statements)
Facilitating the groupwide CPD programme for staff belonging to accounting professional bodies (coordinating and arranging of events)

**Other functions**:
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) will be to your advantage
**Specialist Knowledge (preferably insurance industry)**: Understands technical or professional aspects of work and continually maintains technical knowledge (eg IFRS)
We’re all about building strong, lasting relationships with our employees. We know that you have hopes for your future - your career, your personal development and of achieving great things. We pride ourselves in helping our employees to realise their worth. Through its four bus