Fund Accounting Manager

Introduction Through our client-facing brands Metropolitan and Momentum (with Multiply, a wellness and rewards programme) and our other specialist brands, including Guardrisk and Eris Property Group, the group enables businesses and people from all walks of life to achieve their financial goals and life aspirations. We build and protect our clients' financial dreams by helping people grow their savings, protect what matters to them and invest for the future. We help companies and organisations care for and reward their employees and members. Through our own network of advisers, independent brokers, and new platforms, Momentum Group provides practical financial solutions for people, communities and businesses. Visit us at www.momentumgroupltd.co.za

Disclaimer As an applicant, please verify the legitimacy of this job advert on our company career page.

Role Purpose Drive the implementation of client value proposition strategies and manage the operational implementation of client engagement solutions to support the delivery of an excellent client experience and the achievement of business objectives within Momentum Corporate.

Requirements QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Relevant BCom Degree (Matric, maths and accounting are compulsory).
• A postgraduate degree in finance will be advantageous.
• 8-10 years' experience in the Employee Benefits industry.
• Related experience in fund accounting and investment administration procedures.
• 5-7 years' experience in people management.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in an end-to-end Fund accounting and investment reporting function.
• Technical knowledge of industry standards and practices as per FSCA, SARB, RRR accounting policies, multi-manager unitisation, IFRS Investment disclosure and Asset-based taxes.
• Working knowledge of different legislation applicable to investment assets of long-term insurers.

Duties & Responsibilities OVERSEE AN EFFECTIVE FUND ACCOUNTING MANAGEMENT FUNCTION WITHIN MOMENTUM CORPORATE

• Plan, document, initiate and manage annual statutory or internal audits as formal business projects by liaising directly with fund auditors and business peers to oversee the audit. process, audit queries, audit management letters and ensure improvement on the control environment with audit recommendations to eliminate audit overruns and client dissatisfaction.
• Review, critically analyse and present quarterly management accounts, statement of cash flows and annual financial statements to clients in line with client expectations as per SLA.
• Aptitude to respond to Board of Fund and sub-committee’s queries incl. fund valuator relevant to funds setup and its impact.
• Final sign-off on annual financial statements, statement of cash flows and all financial reporting to clients.
• Demonstrated accountability for maintaining standardised accounting environment and discipline from all perspectives as follows:
  • Daily monitoring and finance processing function.
  • Review status of recons; recovery of admin fees and status of pending claims.
  • Technical procedures and improvements within the accounting environment.
  • Continuous enhancement of financial reporting objectives as well as templates.
  • Correct application of accounting keys across all funds.
  • Review mapping of new funds on CaseWare.
• Implementation and analysis of monthly asset-liability matching procedures.
• Implementation of all automation initiatives and ensuring ISAE 3402 compliance within all fund accounting principles.
• Respond to regulatory authorities' queries and manage on-site visit deliverables timeously.
• Implement and lead Fund Accounting & Finance Forum (FAFF) so that all portfolio managers meet on a regular basis to share and exchange ideas and provide solutions to problems.
• Liaise with business analysts for all interactions between system programmers and related fund accounting dependencies.
• Build and sustain relationships with internal decision makers and interest groups in support of tactical objective achievement.
• Identify and analyse gaps and areas of vulnerability and risk in area specific practices and develop solutions for improvement.
• Implement changes in policy, laws, regulations, initiatives and relevant practices through various communication platforms i.e. campaigns, ad-hoc and formal training, etc.
• Use the insights from knowledge gained through market information and intelligence reports to measure success and realign tactical objectives.

ENABLE CLIENT EXPERIENCE WITHIN AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Continuously monitor turnaround times and quality standards and resolve issues speedily to enhance client service delivery.
• Drive client service delivery goal achievement in line with predefined standards in order to ensure that clients receive appropriate advice and after sales service.
• Manage client query processes and ensure that queries are tracked, accurately resolved and used as a mechanism to improve client service and business processes.
• Provide regular reports on delivery of services against agreed service level agreements and in terms of overall client targets.

LEADERSHIP IMPACT

• Create a positive work climate and culture.
• Demonstrate exemplary leadership behaviour, through personal involvement, commitment and dedication in support of organisational values.
• Create opportunities for growth and development, help employees expand their knowledge, skills and abilities for next roles and talent retention, Select and recruit suitably qualified talent in line with Employment Equity principles and Momentum Group values.
• Advise on and support all people practices (e.g. Workforce Planning, Talent Acquisition and Management, Performance excellence, Reward and talent retention, etc) to ensure continuous improvement and drive strategy execution.
• Enable a learning and growth culture whereby information regarding successes, issues, trends and ideas are actively shared between team members.
• Execute effective workforce planning practices to ensure that staffing requirements are accurately forecasted.
• Identify employee growth and development needs and schedule interventions to enable ongoing development, training and personal growth.
• Effectively manage performance within the team in order to ensure business objectives are achieved.
• Encourage innovation, change agility and collaboration within the team.
• Support the building of the team's capability in order to ensure that the team is equipped to strategically partner with business and provide leading solutions.

CONTRIBUTE TO FINANCIAL CONTROLS AND PLANNING

• Implement sound financial controls and monitor and manage expenditure relative to budget.
• Take responsibility for the unlocking of operational efficiencies.
• Drive results and profitability.
• Manage high-risk and problematic financial issues in the area of accountability.
• Implement and provide feedback on the effectiveness of financial policy, practice and procedures: preventing illegal, unethical and improper conduct.
• Implement risk management, governance and compliance policies in own practice area.
• Manage governance and risk exposure liability.

Competencies COMPETENCIES:

• BUSINESS ACUMEN: Understands how the business operates, what the key issues and risks are that drives business success; and how they impact on the commercial viability of potential ventures and the profitability of the Group.
• CLIENT COMMITMENT: Anticipates, meets and exceeds client’s needs by creating long-lasting relationships that support the client value proposition, support their financial wellness and ensure an exceptional client experience.
• DRIVE FOR RESULTS: Drives a sense of urgency, focus, accountability, agility and execution to deliver business results.
• LEADS CHANGE AND INNOVATION: Actively leads change, does what is right for the business and drives continuous improvement through innovation.