Specialist: Payroll Accountant

At Liberty, we employ more than 6,000 people across 7 businesses in 18 African countries. Every day, our employees grow their knowledge by working with diverse groups of people who specialise in a wide range of skills across insurance, asset management, investment and health products. We continually seek to engage, develop, recognise and reward the people who make our business great.

Purpose
To provide specialist advice and support in the maintenance and analysis of financial data in order to provide accurate reports and information to relevant business stakeholders, through the execution of predefined objectives as per agreed SOPs.

Minimum Experience
2 - 3 years experience in a similar environment.

Key Requirements

1. Proficiency in SAP
2. Prepare and submit payroll taxes via SARS Efiling
3. A strong understanding of payroll accounting principles and practices.
4. Experience in preparing ledger entries and processing payments.
5. Understanding of Pension & Provident Funds

Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree and Professional Qualifications [Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5] in Finance, Economics, and Accounting.

Process

1. Support the auditing process by providing accurate and up-to-date data in alignment with Org. financial reporting standards and requirements.
2. Provide specialist advice and support in the area of accountability to ensure that identified solutions and recommendations are appropriate and effective.
3. Apply quality assurance principles in order to ensure the authorisation and release of payments in a timely and efficient manner.
4. Ensure the accurate and timely reporting on payments, accruals and reconciliations, ensuring a clear audit trail.
5. Investigate anomalies and/or irregularities to establish and verify facts that lead to the identification and reduction of risks.
6. Assist in the compilation of financial statements in line with the audit file and approved accounting framework related to identified funds.
7. Accurately reconcile financial transaction records to supporting documentation in order to enable the verification of the validity of transactions.
8. Accountable for the execution of specialised work including the improvement of quality, standards and outputs within defined work routines and operating procedures.
9. Proactively solve problems, determine root-cause and apply solutions in line with guidelines and providing the necessary information to solve problems related to area of specialisation.
10. Plan for own task execution and advise on improvements related to area of specialisation.

Customer

1. Ensure own understanding and adherence to customer service delivery and Treating the Customer Fairly (TCF) principles to provide specialist support and guidance.

Finance

1. Adhere to specified standards, policies and procedures to prevent potential losses/wastage related to the area of specialisation.

Learning and Growth

1. Interact proactively with others for the purpose of continuous knowledge sharing; and integration of own new knowledge.
2. Contribute positively to own area-specific knowledge improvement associated with area of specialisation.

Governance

1. Ensure that established accounting standards, procedures and processes are adhered to, in compliance with legislative regulations.
2. Comply with set governance and compliance procedures and processes related to an area of work and continuously identify, rectify, and escalate risks where necessary.

Technical Competencies

1. Financial Management (Proficient)
2. Research and Information Gathering (Basic)
3. Financial Accounting (Proficient)
4. Reporting and Interpretation (Basic)
5. Customer Advice (Technical) (Basic)

Behavioural Competencies

1. Professional/Technical learning (Basic)
2. Organisation and Attention to Detail (Intermediate)
3. Interpersonal Effectiveness (Basic)
4. Problem Solving and Analysis (Basic)
5. Teamwork and Cooperation (Basic)
6. Communicating with Impact (Basic)
7. Relationship Management and Networking (Intermediate)
8. Customer Orientation (Basic)

Liberty Group Limited is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. In compliance with the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 and the group's Transformation Strategy, preference will be given to suitable candidates from designated groups whose appointments will contribute towards the achievement of equitable demographic representation of our workforce profile and add to the diversity of the organisation.

The Company's approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. As an Equal Opportunities employer, we actively encourage and welcome people with various disabilities to apply.