Head of Group Finance at Old Mutual Kenya

Job Description

Provides financial planning and reporting for the group to ensure adequacy of resources to deliver the operational agenda and strategic imperatives of the business. This includes coordination of budget processes within the business unit and optimal management of financial resources. Provide direction and thought leadership in the implementation and management of various risk management policies

Financial Control

• Develop, implement and enforce appropriate financial accounting and reporting policies, processes and procedures across the business.
• Review the general ledger to check that all the business general ledger transactions are updated regularly in line with the accounting principles and accounts are fully reconciled.
• Monitor the business’ progress towards achievement of annual budget showing trends, and opportunities to maximize income, reduce cost and minimize risk. Act as financial advisor to the business units to ensure effective utilisation of resources and cost optimization.
• Participates in project activities associated with financial planning and reporting including development of project plan and coordination of project activities.

Customer Focus

• Manage the external audit processes for the business and be the contact person during interim and final audits both internal and external.
• Works directly with Reporting functions at the business units to implement new accounting standards that impact the organization and ensures accuracy and compliance of financial reports.

Internal Processes

• Put in place/regularly review internal controls across the business and ensure they are appropriate and are consistently applied.
• Generate monthly and periodic financial reports of the business that are a true representation of the business operations. Analysis and development of insights into the financial reports and linking it back to business strategies.

People Management

• Identify training needs of team members and facilitate continuous learning.
• Oversee performance and development of the team members to ensure that all stay abreast with new developments.
• Ensure effective communication to all employees with regards to changes in the treasury environment.

Financial Reporting:

• Drives the preparation of plans and budgets to support the group’s annual plan and strategy.
• Drives the periodic and annual financial reporting cycles to provide a clear line of sight of the business performance. 
• Responsible for compliance reporting for the business (Tax, Regulatory) in accordance with statutory, regulatory and IFRS requirements.

Treasury and capital management

• Oversee and ensure the effective management of the treasury and capital management function
• Ensure implementation and compliance to financial risk policies across the Group

Team Effectiveness:

• Oversee the development of the team members to ensure that all stay abreast with new developments.
• Ensure effective communication to all employees with regards to changes in regulations, legislation and best practice.
• Translate the company strategy for the Reporting and Planning team members to ensure they understand the impact of their role on the business.
• Stay abreast of best practise through self-development.

Required Experience

• 10 - 15 years’ experience in the financial services sector.
• At least 5 years’ experience in one of the Big-4 Accounting firms
• Insurance industry experience is an added advantage.

Educational Requirement

• Minimum – Bachelor’s Degree
• Bachelor’s degree in actuarial science is an added advantage
• MBA or equivalent is an added advantage
• Professional qualification in Accounting – CPA or ACCA or Equivalent

Technical Skills:

• Strong financial, accounting and managerial skills
• Strong ability to implement and monitor internal controls
• Creative reporting capability
• Team manager and player
• Good communicator, planner and organizer
• Effective project management skills
• Strategic finance and tax planning
• Thorough knowledge of accounting standards (IFRS)
• Fully knowledgeable on the insurance Industry reporting requirements
• Corporate and Business Reporting
• Governance, Risk and Control
• Leadership and Management
• Sustainable Management Accounting
• Ethics and Professionalism

Generic Competencies:

• Planning and Organising
• Analytical Thinking & Risk Management
• Process Discipline and Quality Orientation
• Decision Making
• Business Acumen
• Strategic Orientation
• Result Orientation
• Developing Self/Others
• Culture sensitivity on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion