Role Purpose

To lead and oversee the end-to-end delivery of statutory reporting and financial statement preparation engagements, ensuring IFRS-compliant, high-quality, and audit-ready outputs across complex client environments.

The role operates at a strategic level, requiring the ability to influence senior stakeholders, anticipate client needs, and deliver insight-led financial reporting solutions in line with Senior Manager expectations.

Key Responsibilities

Client & Delivery Leadership

• Accountable for timely and high-quality delivery of AFS and statutory reporting, ensuring compliance with IFRS, local regulations, and EY standards
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior client stakeholders (CFOs, Finance Directors) on financial reporting matters
• Lead complex, multi-entity and multi-stakeholder engagements, including auditor coordination
• Proactively identify risks and provide solutions to complex accounting and reporting issues.

Technical Excellence (Financial Reporting)

• Lead preparation and review of:
• Annual Financial Statements (AFS), including full IFRS disclosures
• Group reporting and consolidations
• Complex accounting areas (e.g. IFRS 9, IFRS 10, IFRS 13, IAS 12)
• Serve as subject matter expert in financial reporting and statutory compliance.
• Ensure audit-ready documentation and defensible AFS disclosures

Operational Leadership & Transformation

• Drive standardisation and optimisation of financial reporting processes
• Lead transformation initiatives leveraging:
• Automation, analytics, and AI to improve efficiency and scalability
• Establish KPIs, dashboards, and governance mechanisms to track delivery performance

People Leadership

• Build and lead high-performing, inclusive teams, aligned to EY values
• Coach and develop team members, addressing capability gaps and enabling progression
• Provide continuous, actionable feedback outside formal performance cycles

Stakeholder Management & Growth

• Develop strong internal and external networks to support client delivery and growth
• Identify and drive opportunities to expand Finance Operations offerings
• Support large-scale pursuits and contribute to business development

Risk & Quality Management (QRM)

• Ensure compliance with EY policies on quality, independence, and governance
• Maintain strong engagement oversight, including risk identification and mitigation
• Embed a culture of quality, accountability, and continuous improvement

Requirements

Qualifications & Experience

• CA(SA), ACCA, or equivalent
• Significant experience in:
• Financial statements preparation and statutory reporting
• IFRS technical accounting and audit environments
• Proven track record in leading teams and complex engagements

Core Competencies

• Strong executive communication and stakeholder influence
• Deep IFRS and statutory reporting expertise
• Commercial acumen and risk awareness
• Ability to lead transformation and drive operational excellence
• Experience with ERP/reporting tools (e.g. SAP, Hyperion, Power BI, caseware)