View Vacancy - Finance Manager, Corporate Services (Pretoria)

Main purpose of job:

To run an efficient, cost effective professional Corporate Services Accounts department throughout the South Africa network (Pretoria, Cape Town and Johannesburg)

Ensuring correct implementation of Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) and other UK Government Departments financial policies with local conditions, while best meeting internal customers needs in a fair and effective manner.

Ensuring effective and successful day-to-day operations of the accounts department and reporting to the Deputy Director of Corporate Services. 

Gathering and providing information for budgeting, forecasting and planning.

Roles and responsibilities 

The below roles and responsibilities are general guidelines. They are not limited to the detail below and are subject to change from time to time with prior consultation.

• Provide a quality customer service. This will include duties such as ensuring the South Africa Accounts mailbox is well managed and ensure that all account queries are responded to within 24 hours; providing pro-active guidance on accounts processes to the team and wider mission; etc.
• Maintaining a professional relationship and working in partnership with the Global Transaction Processing Centre (GTPC). Duties will include regular meetings, communication, resolving challenges and ensuring queries are resolved within the service level agreement timeframes.
• Perform the full accounts function for the British High Commission in South Africa and Partners Across Government (General Ledger to Statement of Financial Position). Duties will include creditors reconciliations, maintaining detailed monthly payment schedules of essential services such as rents, utilities and security, VAT reconciliations, Bank reconciliations, Journals,  Debtors, Staff advances, Balance Sheet accounts, etc.
• Budgeting and Forecasting. Duties will include assisting in the preparation and compilation of the annual Medium Term Financial Plan, preparation of the annual cash funding profile and assist with monthly budget amendments and forecasting.
• Maintain high standards on the Financial Performance and Compliance Indicators (FPCI’s). Duties will include monitoring reports and addressing invoices on hold, open purchase orders, retrospective purchasing and accruals.
• Banking. Duties will include managing a professional relationship with the bank, international bank transfers, completing balance of payment (BOP) forms, annual bank audit submissions and assisting with internal annual statement IAS and IFRS returns.
• Managing the cashbox (None Prism Account – NPA). Duties include issuing cash in accordance to policy and ensuring a daily reconciliation is performed, maintaining strict controls, etc
• Maintain a professional relationship with the South African Revenue Services (SARS), ensuring monthly submissions and compliance. These duties may include regular meetings with SARS, conducting the monthly processes on VAT returns and submitting on the e-filing system; also ensure compliance of invoices as per the SARS regulations.
• Fixed Assets Register. Duties included maintaining the fixed asset registers and coordination of periodic fixed asset verification exercises.
• Familiarising, understanding and cascade best practice and/or training of all FCO accounting standards, processes and internal audit requirements.
• Update and maintain all corporate governance documentation and requirements as set out in the FCO guidance. These will include updating annual budget holder letters, stamp letters, list of GPC/CCC card holders, etc.
• Filing and safekeeping of all accounting documentation in accordance to the UK Data Protection Act.
• Other admin duties such preparing of month end reports, preparing documentation for internal audits, identifying and mitigating risk, reporting fraud, etc.

• Microsoft office (Excel a must)
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Attention to detail and initiative
• Good customer service skills coupled with an ability to handle difficult customers
• Ability to work under pressure
• Good organising skills