Finance Technical & Innovation Senior Specialist

• Supports the Technical Accounting COE Lead in the day-to-day operation of the Technical Accounting Centre of Expertise, including request intake, prioritisation, documentation standards and status reporting.
• Provides IFRS technical accounting input on complex, judgemental or material matters across the group.
• Prepares accounting position papers, technical memoranda and supporting analysis for review by the Technical Accounting COE Lead or other appropriate stakeholders.
• Performs technical accounting research and develops evidence-based recommendations in line with IFRS, group accounting policies and relevant reporting requirements.
• Partners with Group Consolidation and Reporting, regional finance teams, local finance teams and other stakeholders to support consistent accounting conclusions and group reporting outcomes.
• Assists with technical accounting responses to external auditors, including preparation of audit evidence and supporting documentation.
• Supports the development and maintenance of group accounting guidance, standard memo templates, training materials, precedent records and technical accounting reference materials.
• Supports the transfer of technical accounting knowledge across Finance through guidance, training support and documentation of recurring technical accounting matters.
• Uses AI and automation responsibly to support research, first-draft memoranda, precedent comparison, standards summaries, request summaries, evidence checklists and consistency checks, while retaining human review and technical judgement.
• Identifies recurring accounting issues, root causes, training needs, policy gaps and opportunities to improve the efficiency and consistency of technical accounting support.
• Supports related Controls & Compliance COE activities where technical accounting input is required and where this improves delivery effectiveness.
• Coordinates defined technical accounting activities or deliverables as delegated by the Technical Accounting COE Lead.
• Performs any other relevant task as requested by management.

Knowledge and Attributes:

• Excellent interpersonal skills with excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Advanced IFRS technical accounting knowledge, including the ability to interpret standards and apply judgement to complex fact patterns.
• Strong technical writing skills and the ability to prepare clear, evidence-based accounting position papers for senior finance, audit and governance audiences.
• Ability to self-manage and displays good planning and organizing abilities in a deadline-driven reporting and audit environment.
• Demonstrates excellent attention to detail and maintains a high standard of accuracy and quality.
• Ability to deal with different individuals at all levels in the organization, including senior Finance stakeholders, business stakeholders, auditors and advisors.
• Takes own initiative and has a solutions-orientated approach while applying appropriate professional scepticism.
• Strong analytical skills, and an ability to understand underlying business drivers and provide practical, commercially aligned accounting recommendations.
• Comfortable using AI-enabled tools and automation to improve efficiency, while understanding that AI does not replace technical judgement.

Academic Qualifications and Certifications:

• Chartered Accountant (South Africa), CA(SA), designation required.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification in Accounting, Finance or related field required.

Required experience:

• Advanced experience gained in IFRS technical accounting, accounting advisory, external audit, group reporting or a similar role, preferably within a global organization.
• Advanced experience preparing technical accounting papers, accounting policy positions and audit support documentation.
• Experience applying IFRS to complex transactions within a large group or multinational reporting environment, including group reporting matters, consolidation impacts and material accounting judgements.
• Experience supporting the review and defence of technical accounting conclusions with external auditors, advisors and senior finance stakeholders.
• Experience working with financial systems, collaboration tools and AI-enabled research or drafting tools preferred.