Financial Assistant

**Who we are?**

**Sanlam Investment Group**
The Sanlam Investment Group is uniquely equipped and positioned to deliver on its purpose of empowering generations to be financially confident, secure and prosperous. Through our vast in-house expertise and strategic partner networks, we can access all asset classes across the globe, private and public, actively and passively managed, to develop investment solutions that are in our clients’ best interests and have a positive impact on society. Backed by the Sanlam Group’s balance sheet, the Sanlam Investment Group has a true competitive advantage in its ability to invest alongside clients, particularly in private markets where impact investing drives the agenda.

The Sanlam Investment Group is one of the largest, most diversified financial services and investment firms in Southern Africa with assets under management and administration of more than R2 trillion. It is a B-BBEE level 1 contributor and one of the largest black-empowered asset managers on the African continent.

**What will you do?**
- The Financial Assistant will be responsible for entering, maintaining and reconciling monthly creditor's invoices and processing payments to creditors. Compiles and maintains accounts payable records by checking vouchers for payment. Respond and resolve all vendor inquiries. Prepares analysis and reconciliation of accounts, as required and assists in monthly closings.

**Key responsibilities**
- Processing of creditor invoices into accounting system
- Processing and effecting of payments to creditors
- Capturing and generating of Customer Invoices into accounting system
- Reconciliation of creditor and debtor statements
- Preparing and capturing of journal entries from source documents into the accounting system
- Dealing with internal and external queries relating to area of responsibility

**Qualification and Experience**
- Minimum of 3-4 years' relevant experience within a similar role
- Experience within financial services company would be beneficial
- Knowledge of an asset management environment is advantageous
- Knowledge of an accounting system (JD Edwards) would be beneficial
- Knowledge of VAT accounting
- Computer literate with proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel)
- Competencies

**Technical**
- Reconcile invoices and statements: Good working knowledge and experience in reconciling invoices and statements
- Creditors Payments: Good working knowledge and experience in creditor payments
- Stakeholder query management: Good working knowledge and experience in creditor query management
- Accounts payable reporting: Good working knowledge and experience in accounts payable reporting
- Accounts Analysis: Prepares analysis and reconciliation of accounts, as required and assists in monthly closings.

**Behavioural - Independent Contributor**

**Interpersonal Savvy**
- Builds rapport by identifying common interests and priorities.
- Exercises diplomacy in difficult interpersonal situations.
- Relates well to a broad variety of people inside and outside the organization.
- Responds appropriately to social cues.

**Decision Quality**
- Demonstrates good judgment in routine, day-to-day decision making.
- Makes sound independent decisions in urgent and non-routine situations.
- Considers various inputs, criteria, and trade-offs to arrive at effective decisions and recommendations.
- Uses good judgment about whether to act independently or to escalate an issue.

**Action Orientated**
- Initiates timely action to address important issues.
- Moves quickly to seize opportunities.
- Takes on difficult challenges without procrastinating.
- Takes action to resolve problems when they arise.

**Optimising Work Processes**
- Addresses process breakdowns with speed and thoroughness.
- Uses process analysis methods like metrics and benchmarks.
- Focuses efforts on both processes and results.
- Modifies own work activities and methods to eliminate wasted effort and inefficiencies.

**Core competencies - Independent Contributor**

**Cultivates innovation**
- Suggests creative ideas and innovative solutions.
- Explores multiple alternatives and approaches to overcome obstacles and find solutions.
- Applies expertise in ways that are unique or innovative.
- Is open to and builds upon new ideas and solutions offered by others.

**Collaborates**
- Shares information with others so there are no surprises.
- Involves others as appropriate to accomplish individual and group goals.
- Encourages unity rather than “us vs. them” thinking.
- Welcomes and acknowledges the ideas and input of others.

**Flexible and adaptive**
- Demonstrates composure and professionalism under difficult circumstances.
- Bounces back from setbacks or adversity.
- Maintains productivity under stress or pressure.
- Overcomes obstacles and learns from failures

**Client focus**
- Searches for ways to improve customer service.
- Follows up with customers to ensure problems are solved.
- Independently anticipates