Consultant - Technical Accounting.Group Accounting

MTNs purpose is to enable the benefits of a modern connected life to everyone. The MTN Group Strategy is anchored in building the largest and most valuable platform business with a clear focus on Africa. This rests on a scale connectivity, digital infrastructure and fintech platforms . 

Within the changing finance, regulatory and governance environment the role must ensure successful delivery in the context of:

• Diversifying telco-to-techco landscape

• Evolving industry ecosystems

• Multi geographic landscape and cultural context

• Implementing transactions which will support overall shareholder value creation and stakeholder management

• Achievement of top quartile operating efficiency and effectiveness through scale and common policies and processes

• Driving growth through business intelligence and standardization to maximize business impact

• New imperatives concerning data privacy and security and building strong digital trust partnerships

• Constant dynamics and local challenges in the economic, regulatory and legal environments 

• Mitigating risks, and safeguarding security through business intelligence to maximize business impact

• Management of demanding investor, customer and supplier expectations 

• Enhancing MTN reputational position as a leading secure, reliable and safe network and system provider at Group, Platform Business and Markets

At MTN, we are a purpose and value-led organisation and believe that understanding the needs and aspirations of our people is key to creating experiences that delight you at work, daily. We are committed to fostering an environment where every member of our Y’ello Family is heard, understood, and empowered to live an inspired life. 

Our values keep us grounded and moving in the right direction. Most importantly, they keep us honest. It is not something we claim to be. It is in our DNA.

As an organisation, we consider it our mission to create an exciting and rewarding place to work, where our people can be themselves, thrive in positivity and ignite their full potential. A workplace that boosts creativity and innovation, improves productivity, and ultimately drives meaningful results. A workplace that is built on relationships and achieving a purpose that is bigger than us. This is what we want you to experience with us!

Our commitments go beyond an organisational promise. It is in our leadership and managerial ethos to meaningfully partner with our employees, customers, and stakeholders with a vision to realise our shared goals.

Our values dubbed, LIVE Y’ello, are the cornerstone of our culture.

Lead with Care

Can-do with Integrity

Collaborate with Agility

Serve with Respect

Act with Inclusion

As part the Group Technical Accounting team, Consultant: Technical Accounting is responsible for delivering:

Strategy Development and Implementation

• Support and provide input into executing strategies for ensuring compliance with Accounting Standards and incorporating accounting developments for OHADA/ IFRS that may impact Group

• Ensure effective implementation of the strategy by means of providing direction, structure, frameworks, models, plans and roadmaps

• Formulate and operationalize internal accounting policies and procedures to ensure compliance with regulations and implement changes as necessary to maintain compliance

• Implement reporting frameworks that align with regulatory requirements and best practices

• Align with Group Internal Audit for critical internal financial controls and risk mitigation requirements 

Operational Delivery

Monitoring Accounting Standards 

• Stay informed about new accounting developments for OHADA / IFRS that may impact Group

• Provide communication, implementation support and training for relevant staff regarding new accounting changes

• Drive the implementation of new accounting standards across the Group

• Support in performing post implementation reviews of new accounting standards 

Collaboration and Support 

• Collaborate with Group FP&A teams to provide accurate financial data for planning and analysis

• Ensure consistency in accounting treatment across the Group by collaborating closely with the internal stakeholders

• Work directly with MTN Group Finance team and business units to address OHADA / IFRS technical accounting queries, projects, and reviews

• Support in technical accounting due diligence process for potential mergers and acquisitions. Assess the financial health and accounting practices of target companies to identify any risks or issues

• Assist in integrating financial reporting systems and processes post-acquisition

   

Oversee Central Contracts 

• Support in reviewing all central contracts to ensure compliance with accounting standards and company policies

• Assist in conducting risk assessments on central contracts to identify potential financial risks and develop strategies to mitigate them

Accounting Pronouncements Standards and Position Papers 

• Identify, maintain, and communicate all current and upcoming accounting pronouncements relevant to the Group's financial statements

• Assist in developing well-supported position papers to present draft conclusions to the Group 

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure adherence to the relevant standards

• Assist in reviewing contracts and assessing their impact on the statement of comprehensive income and statement of financial position

• Provide guidance on complex technical accounting scenarios, including multiple-element arrangements and contract modifications

Technical Accounting Research

• Support in conducting in-depth research on accounting issues, including complex transactions, non-standard arrangements, and emerging topics

• Support in preparing technical memos documenting conclusions and recommendations

• Facilitate training sessions for finance and accounting teams on technical accounting matters

Financial statements 

• Develop FS templates to update for the disclosure impact of new accounting standards

• Support in developing annual and interim FSs to ensure disclosure and presentation complies with IFRS

• Support in conducting detailed IFRS disclosure and presentation reviews of interim and annual financial statements to ensure the accuracy of earnings press releases, quarterly and annual filings, registration statements, and proxy statements

• Collaborate with external auditors and internal stakeholders in restating financial statements

• Identify and rectify any accounting errors or misstatements

Policy Development and Implementation

• Assist in ensuring that the GFPM is up-to-date and compliant with current standards

• Aid in completing post-implementation reviews following the implementation of new accounting standards

• Ensure consistent application of accounting policies across Group

Collaboration with External Auditors

• Work closely with external auditors during interim reviews and annual audits

• Support Group Senior Manager for Technical accounting in addressing audit inquiries related to technical accounting matters

Governance 

• Provide inputs into the risk mitigation and controls

• Provide input into the preparation of proposal on change initiatives, policies, and procedures

• Escalate issues that will result in severe time, scope, productivity, and cost or resource impact

• Provide solutions to escalations that have impact on multiple processes / functions 

• Prepare documentation required for sign-off / making decisions regarding tactical changes

Performance and Reporting

• Ensure execution in alignment with functional strategy

• Continuous performance monitoring and input to adjust strategy and actions to deliver targets

• Identify and report on projects risks, and impact and develop contingency plans to monitor and manage risks

• Report on a periodic basis relating to progress made and in accordance with the measurement metrics set by the organization

• Report on an ad hoc basis on specific projects, as required

   

Education:

• Education: Honours /Postgraduate or master’s degrees in accounting, Finance, Business, or related fields

• Relevant certifications such as CA(SA) (Chartered Accountant South Africa) are required

Experience:

• At least 3 years of experience in technical accounting

• Experience in financial reporting is desirable

• Familiarity with financial accounting concepts for both public and private companies

• Knowledge of OHADA/ IFRS accounting standards and their application to telecommunications companies

• Hands-on experience of working in a technical accounting team, demonstrating expertise in regulatory compliance and financial reporting

• Experience in providing support to finance teams on complex technical accounting matters, including group reorganisations and restructures, revenue recognition, lease accounting, and impairment assessments

• Experience in monitoring and interpreting accounting standard changes

• Prior experience within the telecom industry preferred

• Good analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex accounting issues and provide practical solutions

• Worked across diverse cultures and geographies

• Pan Africa multi-cultural experience is advantageous

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel for financial analysis, modelling and reporting 

• Proficient in English

Competencies:

• Technical accounting knowledge 

• Analytical skills 

• Attention to detail 

• Communication

• Problem-solving

• Adaptability

• Collaboration

• Ethics and integrity

   

Skills:

• Business acumen 

• Analytics and interpretation

• Strategic thinking 

• Organizational agility 

• Digital mind-set

• Dealing with ambiguity and complexity

• Decision-making

• Conflict management

• Financial and numerical acumen

• Project management

• People management

• Executive presentation

Behavioural Qualities:

• Adaptable

• Complete candor

• Culturally aware 

• Innovation 

• Integrity

• Leadership

• Team player