Controller of Accounting Services

The Southern Africa Development Community Secretariat (SADC) is recruiting highly motivated and experienced professionals who are citizens of SADC Member States to fill a regional position in its organisational structure.

Controller of Accounting Services: Primary Purpose of the Job

• Coordinate, supervise and facilitate an efficient and effective financial accounting and reporting process for the SADC Secretariat
• Manage the efforts and performance of the team under the Controller

Duties and Responsibilities: Financial Accounting & Reporting

• Coordinate the preparation and submission of monthly and quarterly management accounts for the Secretariat to management
• Coordinate the preparation and submission of the Secretariat's annual financial statements to auditors and ensure compliance with statutory reporting requirements
• Set timetables for completion of accounting tasks to ensure compliance with reporting deadlines
• Implement adequate financial controls, checks and reconciliations of the general ledger to sub-ledgers, ensuring these are performed at month end
• Approve all monthly journals processed by the Accounting Unit and all year-end journals
• Review the monthly age-analysis of receivables and payables
• Approve all year-end journals and all account/lead schedules prepared for annual statutory reporting
• Ensure the chart of accounts is appropriately set up, maintained and subject to proper authorisation procedures for future updates
• Keep up to date with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and provide adequate training to the accounting team
• Provide technical financial advisory services on compliance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards and on treasury and budgetary matters

Duties and Responsibilities: Budgeting

• Oversee the capture of the department's approved budget onto SIMS
• Provide monthly feedback on the Finance Department's variance reports

Duties and Responsibilities: Internal Controls

• Implement adequate measures and financial controls to strengthen the internal control environment and enhance corporate governance, accountability and transparency
• Update the audit matrix each quarter
• Implement and maintain an appropriate structure, system of policies and procedures for an adequate level of control over all financial accounting activities of the Secretariat
• Monitor and maintain appropriate control and segregation of duties through oversight of user access rights to the accounting system, ensuring these reflect user rights, duties and authority
• Monitor and ensure compliance with donor requirements on financial accounting

Duties and Responsibilities: Other Functions

• Prepare the annual and quarterly financial statements and financial performance reports to meet statutory reporting targets
• Coordinate the drafting of annotated agendas for Audit Committee and Finance Committee meetings
• Coordinate, review and/or draft annotated agendas on matters related to the Directorate of Finance for submission to the Audit Committee, Finance Committee and Council meetings
• Provide secretariat services, including logistical arrangements, for the SADC Board of Auditors during Audit Committee meetings and audit execution
• Follow up on the implementation of Council decisions under the Directorate of Finance
• Oversee arrangements for the transfer of the Board of Auditors' Chair
• Draft the annotated agenda/record for the Board of Auditors

Duties and Responsibilities: Management of the Unit

• Develop, update and implement policies, strategies, processes, systems and procedures for the effective delivery of the unit's objectives
• Participate in the formulation of the Corporate Strategy
• Develop short- and long-term plans and budgets for the unit, monitor progress, assure adherence and evaluate performance regularly
• Manage the delegated unit budget to ensure optimal use
• Achieve the mission, goals and objectives of the unit, and report progress to the Head
• Ensure team compliance with all relevant Secretariat values, policies, standards and statutory requirements
• Work towards building a positive workplace and team culture that attracts, retains and motivates top-quality personnel
• Plan the unit's activities and maintain direct oversight of its operations and staff, including work scheduling, estimating resource and staffing needs, allocating and delegating tasks, and recruiting, training, developing, supporting, supervising, motivating and appraising staff
• Continuously identify and implement leading practices to promote an efficient and effective financial accounting and reporting process
• Undertake any other duties as delegated by the Head

Qualifications and Experience

• At least a Master's Degree in a finance-related field from a recognised institution
• Professional accountancy certification such as ACCA, CIMA, ICAEW, ICAS, ACPA or equivalent
• Knowledge of IAS, IFRS and IPSAS
• Proficient in the use of computers and computer software relevant to the position
• Minimum of 10 years' working experience in finance, preferably within a public or private sector, regional or international organisation
• This includes a minimum of 4 years in a line management position

Skills Requirements

• Communication and presentation skills
• Conflict management skills
• Decision-making skills
• International relations skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Leadership skills
• Mentoring and coaching skills
• Negotiation, persuasion, advocacy, networking, relationship building and stakeholder management skills
• Organisational skills, including planning, budgeting, work prioritisation and time management
• Research, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strategy and policy development skills
• Team building skills

Competency Requirements

• Applies interpersonal styles and methods to develop, motivate and empower individuals toward achieving goals
• Maintains quality while working under pressure and adhering to deadlines
• Motivates and positively influences people, creating a climate where they want to do their best
• Demonstrates conceptual and practical thinking
• Customer focused
• Decisive
• Demonstrated ability to work well in an international, multi-cultural and highly political environment
• Shows organisational awareness and understands how to engage the organisation to get things done
• Maintains confidentiality and is respectful of sensitive situations
• Methodical and organised, able to see the big picture without losing attention to detail
• Professional, with good work ethics
• Questions the status quo and conventional approaches, encouraging new ideas and innovation
• Resilient, with personal drive and self-motivation
• Results and performance driven
• Visionary, thinking and acting strategically

How to Apply

• Apply using the Apply button on this listing