Specialist Statutory Reporting

Role Overview

As a Specialist Statutory Reporting, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the precision, compliance, and timeliness of financial reporting in alignment with SOCPA standards, regulatory mandates, and organizational policies. This position is instrumental in maintaining the integrity of statutory financial statements, supporting audit requirements, and facilitating seamless communication with internal and external stakeholders. Your expertise will be critical in upholding financial transparency, regulatory adherence, and the overall financial health of the organization.

Key Responsibilities

The Specialist Statutory Reporting is entrusted with a diverse range of responsibilities designed to ensure robust financial reporting and compliance. These include:

• Statutory Financial Reporting: Prepare, review, and finalize statutory financial statements, disclosures, and supporting schedules in strict compliance with SOCPA standards, regulatory requirements, and applicable accounting frameworks.
• Reporting Accuracy & Compliance: Ensure the accuracy, completeness, and consistency of financial reports, reconciliations, and disclosures while adhering to organizational policies and regulatory guidelines.
• Regulatory & Audit Support: Coordinate and support external audit processes by preparing audit schedules, reconciliations, and comprehensive documentation. Assist in addressing audit queries and implementing corrective actions as required.
• Financial Data Validation: Review general ledger balances, journal entries, and financial data to verify compliance with accounting standards, reporting requirements, and internal controls.
• Regulatory Monitoring: Stay abreast of evolving SOCPA regulations, accounting standards, and reporting requirements, assessing their impact on financial reporting processes and implementing necessary adjustments.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Finance, Tax, Treasury, Internal Audit, Risk, and Compliance teams to ensure alignment, accuracy, and regulatory compliance across all reporting activities.
• Stakeholder Reporting: Support the preparation and submission of statutory reports for regulators, shareholders, and other external stakeholders, ensuring timely and accurate delivery.
• Process Enhancement: Contribute to the implementation and continuous improvement of financial reporting controls, processes, and systems to enhance efficiency and compliance.
• Variance Analysis & Investigations: Conduct detailed variance analysis to identify discrepancies in financial data, investigate root causes, and recommend corrective measures.
• Technical Accounting Support: Assist in the preparation of accounting position papers, technical accounting assessments, and regulatory reporting documentation to ensure adherence to best practices and standards.
• Finance Transformation Initiatives: Support automation and digital transformation projects related to statutory reporting processes, driving efficiency and reducing manual intervention.
• Documentation & Audit Trail: Maintain meticulous records of reporting processes, accounting treatments, and audit requirements to ensure transparency and compliance with documentation standards.

Qualifications & Experience

To excel in this role, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Certifications: Mandatory SOCPA certification. Additional professional certifications such as CPA, ACCA, CMA, or IFRS certification are highly advantageous.
• Experience: Minimum of four years of progressive experience in Financial Reporting, Statutory Reporting, External Audit, Financial Accounting, or related finance functions. Prior experience in preparing financial statements under SOCPA standards and regulatory requirements is essential. Experience in large organizations or listed entities is preferred.

Core Competencies & Skills

The ideal candidate will possess a blend of technical expertise, analytical acumen, and strong communication skills. Key competencies include:

• Technical Proficiency: In-depth knowledge of SOCPA Accounting Standards, IFRS, and local regulatory reporting frameworks.
• Financial Reporting Expertise: Proficiency in preparing financial statements, disclosures, and regulatory reports with a keen eye for detail.
• ERP Systems: Hands-on experience with financial reporting tools and ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, or Microsoft Dynamics.
• Analytical & Problem-Solving: Strong ability to analyze financial data, identify discrepancies, and propose effective solutions.
• Communication & Collaboration: Excellent written and verbal communication skills to liaise with stakeholders across various departments and external parties.
• Regulatory & Compliance Awareness: A thorough understanding of corporate governance requirements, audit processes, and regulatory reporting obligations.
• Technical Tools: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and familiarity with financial reporting software.