Consultant – WECA Technical Accounting Group Accounting needed at MTN

Responsibilities

As part of the Group Technical Accounting team, Consultant: Technical Accounting is responsible for delivering:

Strategy Development and Implementation

• Support in execution of strategies for ensuring compliance with Accounting Standards and incorporating accounting developments for OHADA/ IFRS that may impact the opco
• Formulate and operationalize internal accounting policies and procedures to ensure compliance with regulations and implement changes as necessary to maintain compliance
• Implement reporting frameworks that align with regulatory requirements and best practices
• Execute recommendations shared by Group Technical accounting team for the respective Opco
• Collaborate with Group Internal Audit for critical internal financial controls and risk mitigation requirements 

Operational Delivery

Monitoring Accounting Standards: 

• Implement new accounting developments for OHADA / IFRS that may impact the Opco (s)
• Offer hands-on support and training for staff regarding new accounting changes, ensuring they are well-prepared to handle updates
• Support in performing post implementation reviews of new accounting standards 
• Stay updated on new accounting developments for OHADA/IFRS that impact the Opco, providing necessary training and support for implementation

Collaboration and Support: 

• Collaborate with MTN Opco Finance team and business units to address OHADA / IFRS technical accounting queries, projects, and reviews
• Ensure consistency in accounting treatment across the Opco by collaborating closely with the internal stakeholders
• Work closely with the treasury team to ensure that the accounting implications of changes in hedging instruments/strategies are considered and understood

Special Projects and Initiatives: 

• Assist with special accounting projects as needed, contributing technical accounting expertise, and ensuring project outcomes align with accounting standards

Accounting Pronouncements: 

• Implement, maintain, and communicate all current and upcoming accounting pronouncements relevant to the Opco’s financial statements

Position Papers: 

• Support technical accounting senior manager to develop position papers to present draft conclusions to the Group and Opco CFO and management 

Revenue Recognition and Other Accounting Standards Compliance:

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure adherence to the relevant standards
• Assist in reviewing contracts and assessing their impact on revenue recognition
• Provide guidance on complex technical accounting scenarios, including multiple-element arrangements and contract modifications

Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A):

• Assist in evaluating accounting implications related to business combinations, purchase price allocations, and goodwill impairment assessments.
• Assist in integrating financial reporting systems and processes post-acquisition

Technical Accounting Research:

• Conduct in-depth research on accounting issues, including complex transactions, non-standard arrangements, and emerging topics.
• Support in preparing technical memos documenting conclusions and recommendations.

Financial statements:

• Develop FS templates to update for the disclosure impact of new accounting standards
• Support in developing annual and interim FSs to ensure disclosure and presentation complies with IFRS
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders in restating financial statements
• Identify and rectify any accounting errors or misstatements

Policy Development and Implementation:

• Assist in developing and operationalizing accounting policies and procedures
• Aid in completing post-implementation reviews following the implementation of new accounting standards
• Ensure consistent application of accounting policies across the Opco

Training and Education:

• Facilitate training sessions for finance and accounting teams on technical accounting matters

Collaboration with External Auditors:

• Work closely with external auditors during interim reviews and annual audits
• Support Senior Manager for Technical accounting in addressing audit inquiries related to technical accounting matter

Governance:

• Provide input in strategic meetings when required
• Provide inputs into the risk mitigation and controls
• Provide input into the preparation of proposal on change initiatives, policies, and procedures
• Escalate issues that will result in severe time, scope, productivity, and cost or resource impact
• Provide solutions to escalations that have impact on multiple processes / functions 
• Provide input into establishing objectives, targets for the function as applicable
• Identify and document key risks, issues and dependencies and set mitigation actions
• Prepare documentation required for sign-off / making decisions regarding tactical changes

Performance & Reporting:

• Ensure execution in alignment with functional strategy
• Continuous performance monitoring and adjust strategy and actions to deliver targets
• Identify and report on projects risks, and impact and develop contingency plans to monitor and manage risks
• Report on a periodic basis relating to progress made and in accordance with the measurement metrics set by the organization
• Report on an ad hoc basis on specific projects, as required

Qualifications

Education:

• Education: Honours /Postgraduate or master’s degrees in accounting, Finance, Business, or related fields
• Relevant certifications such as CA(SA) (Chartered Accountant South Africa) are required

Experience:

• Atleast 2-3 years of experience in technical accounting
• Experience in financial reporting is desirable
• Familiarity with financial accounting concepts for both public and private companies
• knowledge of OHADA/ IFRS accounting standards and their application to telecommunications companies
• Hands on expereience of working in a technical accounting team, demonstrating expertise in regulatory compliance and financial reporting
• Experience in providing support to finance teams on complex technical accounting matters, including revenue recognition, lease accounting, and impairment assessments
• Experience in monitoring and interpreting accounting standard changes
• Prior experience Financial Services preferred, with experience within the telecom industry 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex accounting issues and provide practical solutions
• Worked across diverse cultures and geographies
• Pan Africa multi-cultural experience is advantageous
• Proficiency in Microsoft excel for financial analysis, modelling and reporting 
• Proficient in English