Statutory Finance Officer

Job Description

Key responsibilities and duties as follows:

Control Environment

• Ownership of the Financial Control Matrix for relevant entities that are assigned including the development of a desktop review plan undertaken annually to gain assurance of the level of control risk within the unit to support the sign off the FCMs at year end.
• Ownership of the Balance sheet reconciliation process for relevant entities by working with the teams preparing the reconciliations to ensure they are consistently of a high standard, represent the financial position of the entities and compliant with group policies.
• Training and awareness on control environment and financial compliance issues for relevant entities both with the finance teams as well as the rest of the business as far as their roles are impacted by internal control requirements.
• Remain up to date on all emerging control environment standards in the industry as related to Mott MacDonald e.g.: Sarbanes Oxley release in the United Kingdom.
• Research industry trends and monitor market leaders in compliance topics to ensure best practice is implemented within the IDS unit and any significant achievements/initiatives are shared across MM globally to create a culture of collaboration within MM Finance on compliance topics.

External Audits

• Co-ordinate the units participation in the MML Group Audit through interim period and final year end close including meetings with BDO, co-ordination with business for data requirements and consultation with the Sub Regional Financial Accountant (s) and ISMA Statutory Manager on matters relating to the audit.
• Manage and drive the completion of the local entity external audits with BDO including all fieldwork and up to the signature and submission audited Financial Statements to the relevant regulatory bodies.
• Identify any opportunities such as standardization of reports/data requests from BDO or where FSC can be leveraged to drive efficiencies.
• Participate in technical accounting discussions within MM and with BDO as necessary to ensure the correct treatment of any business transactions within the relevant accounting framework and MM policies and processes.
• Keep up to date with new/ emerging accounting standards/interpretation guidelines to ensure adequate advance notice and preparation of any notable change to accounting treatment and the related financial impact of such on MMs statutory financial reporting.
• Ownership of the Statutory and Management accounts reconciliations annually to ensure the audited financial statements and the reported managed accounts agree and where reconciling items are present, that these are documented and approved.

Regulatory reporting

• Manage and drive the completion of the local entity regulatory reporting requirements working directly with the ISMA tax teams, FSC and external tax consultants where applicable.
• Regulatory reporting includes but is not limited to all tax filings, commercial licenses, and registrations etc.

Internal Audits

• Coordinate the units participation in the MML group internal audit program run through Deloitte including identification of risk areas for audits, managing the audit diary within the unit as well as resource planning to participate in the local audits.

Statutory Entity Database

• Maintain a robust database of all required statutory filings across the region and drive the completion of these on an annual basis to ensure a consistent level of 100% compliance with all requirements in the countries / entities that are assigned to the individual.
• Support the process of all new entities required to be registered in line with business requirements working with group Legal, Company secretarial and any external advisors if applicable.
• Develop a comprehensive plan for closing dormant/non used entities to ensure all aspects of closure are considered and undertaken to ensure no contingent risk remains for MM because of entities not being shut down correctly.

Intercompany Balances

• Control over the intercompany balances between the legal entities and with other affiliates to ensure intercompany reconciliations completed, balances settled within intercompany terms and any long outstanding issues identified and reported on.

Quarterly Consolidation Pack

• Ownership of the quarterly BPC pack process, working through country finance teams who prepare the packs and performing reviews to ensure submission to Group completed within the agreed deadlines and to a high standard.

Innovation

• Drive innovation within the statutory and financial compliance space with the use of digital tools, transformation of manual work to automated solutions and keeping up with industry best practice.

Ad Hoc

• Participation in any group initiatives as when necessary
• Additional controller duties as necessary

To be successful in this role, you should demonstrate the following competencies:

• IT and standard industry software skills
• Continuously looking for innovations and improvements to manage workload and accomplish deliverables across individuals, teams, and projects
• Able to manage multiple stakeholders with diverse backgrounds on geographically and culturally diverse teams.
• In Mott MacDonald, we have a strong policy ethical behaviour and expect the highest standards of ethical practice. These are at the core of our corporate values hence do not engage in any aspects of bribery or corrupt practice. As such, we expect staff must always act:
• Professionally
• With integrity
• With due skill, care, and diligence
• In good faith, and
• In compliance with all applicable laws
• Dedicated team player with the ability to effectively communicate at all levels including external stakeholders.
• Adopting a proactive approach towards complex tasks and overall delivery
• Sound knowledge of professional and international standards

Candidate Specification

• Qualified financial accountant with professional registration e.g.: CA. ACCA. CPA etc.
• Significant experience managing similar responsibilities.
• Conversant in the use of Microsoft products and experience in other ERP systems
• Proven ability to produce accurate output to tight deadlines.
• Flexibility to work longer hours at peak times as required.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We put equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they have the opportunity to contribute.

Agile working

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team and personal commitments. We embrace agility, flexibility and trust.

Country: South Africa

Position Location: Pretoria

Contract Type: Permanent

Work Pattern: Full Time

Sector: Corporate services

Discipline: Finance and accounting

Job Ref: 4132

Recruiter Contact: Debalina Dutta