Financial Accountant

Our client, a leading listed retail organisation based in Johannesburg, is seeking a Financial Accountant to join its Group Reporting function. The role is responsible for preparing financial information, calculations and reports for Group entities, ensuring compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), the Companies Act, JSE Listings Requirements and other relevant regulations. It includes monthly, quarterly and annual Group reporting, financial statement preparation, budgeting, tax disclosures, reporting-system maintenance and technical accounting support, and reports to the Finance Executive - Group Reporting.

The ideal candidate is a technically strong Chartered Accountant with exceptional numerical and analytical ability, meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to accurate, timely delivery. The person must work effectively under pressure, use sound judgement, take initiative and collaborate confidently across the finance function and wider Group.

Key Responsibilities:

Monthly and Quarterly Reporting:

• Prepare monthly calculations, reconciliations, cash flow information, working-capital analyses and consolidated Group results accurately and on time.
• Analyse financial results, identify significant trends and bring relevant matters to line management''s attention.
• Prepare monthly balance sheet reconciliations and ensure that intercompany accounts reconcile at Group level.
• Prepare and finalise quarterly board-pack financial information and complete required external financial surveys.
• Support dividend calculations, including solvency and liquidity assessments, and ad hoc share buy-back or delisting requirements.

Budgeting and Tax:

• Coordinate the board budgeting process for Group entities.
• Prepare and finalise entity budget files, consolidate Group budgets and support final board approval.
• Prepare and finalise financial statement tax disclosures for Group entities.

Financial Results and External Reporting:

• Plan and coordinate reporting timetables and prepare and finalise annual financial statements for Group entities.
• Prepare supporting schedules and calculations, including earnings per share, weighted average number of shares, segment analyses, head-office allocations and intangible-asset valuations.
• Ensure external reporting complies with IFRS and JSE Listings Requirements, and support responses to JSE proactive monitoring letters and thematic reviews.
• Prepare and finalise headline earnings per share calculations, market-related announcements and the financial section of analyst presentations.
• Coordinate the timely review and approval of financial statements by relevant stakeholders.
• Support external auditors during audits and reviews, resolve queries promptly and prepare finance-related information for the integrated report and ESG reporting.

Reporting Systems and Master Data:

• Maintain approved company structures, reporting hierarchies and charts of accounts accurately.
• Manage relevant master data across SAP, FCC and QlikView, including exchange rates, reporting periods, account structures and profit or cost centres.
• Reconcile information across reporting systems and maintain FCC and narrative-reporting documentation for monthly, quarterly and half-year reporting.

Foreign Exchange:

• Calculate foreign-currency revaluations and assess their reasonableness.
• Calculate and assess foreign currency translation reserve movements against exchange-rate movements.

Technical Accounting and Finance Support:

• Assess Group accounting policies, promote consistent application across subsidiaries and communicate the implications of any non-compliance.
• Evaluate the impact of new accounting standards or requirements and provide appropriate guidance or training to finance teams.
• Advise finance teams on the accounting treatment of new, unusual or complex business transactions.

Peer Review and Group Projects:

• Review peer work and support appropriate work-sharing, rotation and back-up arrangements.
• Complete ad hoc Group projects requiring investigation, proposals, decision-making and implementation.

Qualifications:

• NQF Level 8 qualification and Chartered Accountant designation (CA(SA)).
• Completed CA training contract or articles.