Senior Fund Accountant (Retirement Funds)

Purpose of the Position

Maintain a portfolio of funds by ensuring that all daily, monthly, and quarterly tasks are done timeously, ensuring yearly financial statements are completed within 4 months of the Fund''s year-end, and coordinating and facilitating the submission of these financial statements to FSB within 6 months.

Formal Qualifications:

• Matric (Grade 12) with 5 years or more Retirement Fund accounting experience
• Relevant Accounting Degree/ Tertiary Qualification or studying towards one

Required Experience:

• Minimum 5 years Industry related accounting experience
• At least 3 years at a senior level
• Computer literate in MS Office Suite (Advanced MS Excel a must)
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Everest Experience is preferable
• Management experience

Operational Effectiveness:

• Produce quality financial statements prior to the commencement of an audit
• Ensure that all financial statements are released to clients within 4 months or per client SLA and signed for submission to the FSCA within 6 months after year end.
• Completion of asset and liability matching queries and advise on any differences and be able to provide guidance on sorting out these.
• Resolving all queries to FSCA within the required 30 days from receipt
• Compile SARB reports for all funds for review within 45 days of the quarter end for submission to the Reserve Bank
• Management of bank account balances
• Processing all investments and disinvestments instructions timeously
• Ensure all linking is completed on a weekly basis on the Everest system
• Bank reconciliations to be completed monthly by the 10^th of the month following, as per procedure monthly /requirements
• Compile monthly trustee cashflows and management accounts
• Ensure all fees, expenses and premiums are paid monthly and timeously per procedure
• Adherence to procedures to avoid potential PI claims
• Ensure that all statutory requirements are complied with to avoid penalties and interest
• Manage the audit process to avoid cost overruns
• ALM asset alignments to be completed per instruction
• Clearing of debtors and creditors within required time frames
• Prepare Fund budgets, variance reports and expense forecasts
• Prepare reserve account analysis and action resulting movements

• Establish strong, trust-based relationships with the finance team, internal clients, external clients and other teams.
• Work closely with other departments to ensure that fund accounting requirements are met
• Ensure that TCF values and a positive culture are always a priority   

Skills Required: 

• Strong Retirement Fund industry knowledge
• Strong oral and written communication
• Strong accounting knowledge
• Ability to multi-task
• Ability to anticipate and manage change
• Ability to work under pressure
• Ability to work independently
• Strong risk management skills
• Ability to manage and work people, strong interpersonal skills

Cognitive Competencies:

• Analytical thinking
• Strong decision - making skills
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Ability to think the bigger picture (Strategic Thinking)