Financial Controller Africa

Company Description

Experian is the world's leading global information services company. During life's big moments - from buying a home or a car to sending a child to college to growing a business by connecting with new customers - we empower consumers and our clients to manage their data with confidence.

We have 20,000 people operating across 44 countries. By investing in our people, technology and innovation, we can help transform businesses, help communities prosper, enable more people to feel included in the financial opportunities that should be available to them, and help people to thrive. We're looking for inspired employees that want to make an impact.

At Experian, we are committed to building an inclusive culture and to creating an environment where people can balance successful careers with their commitments and interests outside of work. Our flexible working practices support our belief that this balance brings long-lasting benefits for our business as well as our people. Some roles lend themselves to flexible options more than others, and if this is important to you, we are open to discussing agile working opportunities during the hiring process.

Job Description

The Financial Controller Africa will be responsible for driving the team composition and controllership strategy, representing a real opportunity to blend technical expertise, partnering and process transformation whilst managing both the internal and external control environment including the market Statutory accounts and the Audit process as well as other financial regulatory requirements (e.g. exchange control and B-BBEE)

You will also be responsible for leading a team consisting of 2 Senior Mangers across Accounting & Control and Billing as well as the Global Financial Services Africa team.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 10 years Accounting experience
• Chartered Accountant qualification is essential
• Experience working with IFRS would be highly advantageous
• Experience working with any of the big 4 audit firms
• A minimum of 5 years' experience in leading teams
• Excellent communicator - both written and verbal
• Demonstrable team leadership both for direct and indirect teams (on and offshore)
• Strong interpersonal skills - ability to form and leverage relationships locally and remotely
• Excellent existing technical knowledge
• Ability to see the big picture and respond accordingly - when to drive for perfection and when to drive for speed
• Experience of statutory processes and Audit
• Demonstrable record of process improvement to drive efficiency and quality
• Oracle, Essbase and HFM knowledge will be an advantage
• Ability to scale and deliver on multiple concurrent projects
• Experience in working a global matrix organization

Additional Information

What you'll need to bring to the party

• Drive Controllership Excellence and Transformation within Africa
• Manage Market Audit and Statutory Process
• Ownership of Operating Cash Flow Forecasting
• Management of Experian Group relationship and associated reporting
• Leadership and Development of the Africa Accounting and Control Team and Global Financial Services team
• Revenue Assurance and advisory to the business in revenue recognition topics in accordance with IFRS 15 and local GAAP

What you'll be doing

• Maintain and develop best in class Financial Controls across all areas, including adherence to both group and local accounting policies, coordination of new standards and requirements as they are implemented.
• Build on the robust control environment ensuring quality and completeness of Africa Balance sheet whilst ensuring data quality and minimizing risk.
• Leading the month end closing process
• Developing a robust control framework whilst driving excellent data quality for decision making
• Balance Sheet health and risk management
• Cash flow Forecasting and management of Capex Budget
• Statutory obligations, such as statutory financials, audits and tax compliance across Africa region
• Accounting in technical accounting matters
• Form part of wider EMEA & APAC Controllership cohort in pursuit of efficient, standardized approaches across the EMEA & APAC region including sharing of best practice and networking with other market FC's
• Optimize processes in collaboration with the GFS team
• Management of external relationships with accounting providers and auditors
• Ensure control and quality is reflected in minimization of Audit management letter points
• to maximize cash result alongside mitigation of risks
• Support Group Tax with requests and help drive process and tax efficiency
• Work closely with Treasury to identify market cash trends and any remittance required
• Develop direct and indirect reports to ensure pipeline of talent for A&C and Experian Finance
• Work closely with Group Finance Service centers leadership to identify task transfers, efficiency and control gains in pursuit of Controllership Excellence
• Work with the EMEA & APAC Financial Controller and Regional team to ensure completeness and accuracy of Accrued and Deferred positions including contract costs.

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