Consultant – Statutory Reporting Consolidation and Reporting needed at MTN

Responsibilities

The Consultant: Statutory Reporting is responsible for delivering:

Strategy Development and Implementation

• Ensure effective implementation of the strategy by assisting with the project managing of the annual financial reporting cycle.
• Develop and implement IFRS disclosure and presentation relating to new accounting standards to ensure compliance with regulations and implement changes as necessary to maintain compliance
• Ensure appropriate disclosure of key corporate developments and intricate accounting developments, such as mergers and acquisitions, BBBEE transactions, etc
• Align with Group Internal Audit for critical internal financial controls and risk mitigation requirements
• Engage with the group’s external auditors on all matters relating to the progress and timeous completion of the audit of the financial statements. 

Operational Delivery

Monitoring Accounting Standards: 

• Stay informed about new accounting developments in IFRS that may impact the group’s reporting and disclosure.
• Influence accounting standards development by assisting with comment letter process on IFRS matters relating to presentation and disclosure.
• Provide communication, implementation support and training across all relevant staff regarding new presentation and disclosure changes.

Collaboration and Support: 

• Collaborate with CoSec, Group Legal, Group Tax and Investor Relations teams to ensure appropriate disclosure of relevant and sensitive information.
• Promote consistency in statutory financial reporting packs submitted to the group.
• Collaborate with the consolidations and systems teams to update reporting packs to ensure appropriate information is obtained to meet existing and new reporting and presentation requirements.
• Work directly with the MTN Group consolidations team to review and question financial reporting packs from operations

Project Management:

• Assist with the preparation of a year-end reporting timetable in collaboration with the consolidations team that will ensure appropriate reporting and review times in accordance with the governance processes of the group. 
• Track performance of the year end process against the reporting timetable and unblock or escalate delays.
• Ensure early engagement and plan review times and sign off of relevant documents with senior executives.
• Attend regular update sessions with the group auditors to ensure that they remain on track to meet reporting deadlines. 
• Plan and manage the group’s CA TOPP trainees rotating to the department.

Financial Reporting: 

• Prepare annual financial statements in accordance with IFRS for MTN Group (company and consolidated), MTN Holdings (company and consolidated), MTN Mauritius (company and consolidated), MTN Dubai (consolidated) and MTN International (company). This may include various entities as the business expands.  
• Prepare interim financial statements for MTN Group in accordance with IFRS.
• Ensure that all relevant IFRS disclosure and presentation requirements are met and obtain appropriate internal sign-offs for sections as may be required.
• Ensure accuracy in all aspects of the financial reporting.
• Ensure that each set is of a high quality and appropriately reviewed and proofread. 
• Coordinate, evaluate and effect changes from various reviews.
• Distribute the annual financial statements at the Group Audit Committee as may be required.
• Manage the sign off process of senior executives and external auditors. 
• Distribute financial statements to stakeholders as may be required.

Special Projects and Initiatives: 

• Lead or assist with special accounting projects as needed. 

Accounting Pronouncements and Best Practice: 

• Identify, maintain, and communicate all current and upcoming IFRS pronouncements relevant to the presentation and disclosure of the Group’s financial statements
• Identify and implement all new disclosure and presentation requirements from the JSE, King IV or Companies Act as may be appropriate. 
• Review relevant financial statements of other entities to identify and implement best practice in financial reporting.   

Collaboration with External Auditors:

• Collaborate closely with external auditors during interim reviews and annual audits.
• Address audit inquiries related to the annual financial statements.

Governance:

• Ensure that an appropriate audit trail is maintained in the preparation of financial statements and is maintained in a database for reference in future years. 
• Ensure appropriate internal financial controls are maintained over the preparation and review of financial statements.
• Implement appropriate controls to strengthen internal financial controls over the preparation of financial statements.

Managerial & Supervisory Responsibilities: 

• Coach and mentor TOPP trainees allocated to the team
• Set goals and objectives for TOPP trainees, monitor progress, and maintain motivation
• Set up appropriate structure to assist to meet departmental management objectives

Qualifications

Education:

• Education: Honours /Postgraduate in accounting, Finance, Business, or related fields
• Professional qualification – CA(SA) (Chartered Accountant South Africa) are required

Experience:

• At least 2 years of experience in financial reporting in a listed company or post articles experience at an audit firm
• Experience in technical accounting teams is desirable
• Knowledge of financial reporting requirements for listed companies in South Africa
• Strong knowledge of IFRS accounting standards 
• Prior experience of HFM and/or Oracle FCC or similar consolidation system will be an advantage. 
• Experience in the preparation and review of financial statements, demonstrating expertise in regulatory compliance and financial reporting
• Experience in monitoring and interpreting accounting standard changes
• Prior experience in the financial reporting consequences of hyperinflation accounting will be an advantage. 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex accounting issues and draft clear and comprehensive notes to the financial statements.
• Strong attention to detail, meticulously accurate on numbers and proven report writing skills.
• Proven project management skills
• 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