Senior Specialist: Real Estate Electricity

A giant in the telecommunications industry is looking for a Senior Specialist: Real Estate Electricity to join their dynamic team based in Johannesburg who will be a member of the team managing the transactional sub-processes of the end-to-end Real Estate Electricity and Accounting processes in a timely and accurate manner, in accordance with defined operating procedures, policies, SOX, compliance and business partner service level agreements. The Senior Specialist is responsible for the accounting of electricity related to Network Infrastructure sites and ensuring timeous payment. The individual will enjoy problem solving and striving to improve the metric of the operational process.

**A culture of continuous process improvement will be essential to ensure world class operational performance**:

- Manage the relationship with the Finance Shared Services Centre (FSSC) performing activities on behalf of the Group.
- Accountable for completeness and accuracy of accounting and reporting related to RE electricity and other utlity expenses and recoveries.
- Support the rest of all relevant stakeholders with RE related requests and queries submitted to the FSSC.
- Establish a close relationship with the other teams across Finance Operations, Finance Business Partners, Technology, Regional and National Property teams.
- Interact with the Global Process members, peers in the Shared Services and RE and PTP process team members.
- Advise all relevant stakeholders on RE electricity related transactions, processes and reporting.
- Identify opportunities to optimize RE related cash flows.
- Ensure timely payment to minimize risk of power outage at sites.
- Manage escalated queries relating to electricity costs and payments for sites.
- Manage relationships with the municipalities and utility management companies.
- Identify and implement solutions to simplify the processes via automation and digital initiatives.
- Past achievements will demonstrate an expertise with sub processes, a capacity to work well with people and enjoys solving issues and striving for best practice.
- Excellent communication skills and to be able to interact with people from different environments, internal as well as external stakeholders, e.g. Business Units, Regional Teams, Vendors, Landlords, Property Owners, Subsidiaries and other Markets.

**Essence of Role - Key Accountabilities**:

- Manage, improve and develop relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- To proactively assist business partners in decision making.
- Monitoring of the key performance indicators.
- Monitor sub-processes related to rental and utility payments.
- Reporting and alignment of GL accounts and budgets.
- Establishing, the key deliverables are met by the FSSC team.
- Establish and manage relationships with the members of the FSSC team.
- Manage the finance month end in accordance with the financial calendar and activities performed by FSSC.
- Work with other team members and key stakeholders across all business units to ensure all RE issues are resolved in a timely manner. Such as ensuring the accurate and complete accounting treatment of all RE related transactions by analysing financial transactions, identifying cost drivers and key vendors, reporting on spend.
- Perform monthly variance analysis and reports and provide valid reasons on variances identified.
- Perform adhoc analysis as required by management.
- Perform and assist with adhoc projects as required.
- Manage, improve and develop relationships with internal and external key stakeholders.
- Perform General Ledger Reconciliations and follow-up on reconciling items.
- Ensure adherence to company policy, IFRS16, internal controls, Sox, internal and external audit.
- To compile, present and report financial information accurately and timeously.
- Providing support to internal and external partners, to enable query resolution and informed decision making.
- Compiling and submitting of statutory packs for reporting at interim and final year end.
- Ensuring Vendors are paid on time.
- Cash flow forecasting, reporting and variance analysis.
- Exceptional query resolution.

**Performance management**:

- Provide regular updates on performance of the sub-process(es).
- Follow the escalation path and non-surprise management philosophy.
- Identify promote and implement initiatives to improve sub processes.
- Support the team in resolving operational process and control issues.
- Perform call over sessions with team members as required by the Performance Dialogue process and provide call over minutes for review by the EHOD and Principal Specialist: Real Estate.

**Compliance and control**:

- Establishing adherence to the relevant Group policies.
- Ensure compliance with SOX controls.
- Ensure that all compliance requirements are met.
- Work with other departments to ensure all cross department issues are resolved.

**Knowledge and experience**:

- Accounting Experience or in a similar position.
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