Job Description

Who are we?

Sanlam Life and Savings (SLS) is focused on serving our retail and corporate clients in South Africa and further developing our strategic advantages in the South African market. Sanlam Life and Savings consists of the following business units Retail Mass, Corporate, Risk and Savings, Glacier and various business enabling functions, which includes Finance; SanlamConnect; etc.

What will you do?

This job falls within the SLS Finance Systems & Processes team, who are the business owners of the SAP S/4HANA Finance system used by a large part of the Sanlam Group. SAP S/4HANA is the main general ledger and related sub-ledger systems.



The main purpose of this role is to centrally ensure the integrity of the financial and accounting data within the system. Although individual finance managers and finance teams are responsible for their own business' financial data, this role will ensure that the SAP S/4HANA system is processing data correctly and finance teams are abiding by the established and intended policies, practices and processes.



The second main purpose of this role is to guide finance management and teams in unlocking the full value of the data within the SAP S/4HANA financial system.

What will make you successful in this role?

Financial Data Integrity:

Ensure the accuracy and completeness of financial data within the SAP S/4HANA ERP system. Conduct regular analysis and perform controls and reconciliations to maintain data integrity.

Consultancy and Advisory:

Provide a consultancy and advisory service to the finance community in relation to the best utilisation of SAP Finance systems, including reporting and business processes.

Problem-solving:

Support finance community with immediate accounting challenges they experience, possibly due to limitations in SAP or sub-optimal processes having been followed, by understanding their requirements, measuring it against SAP standard processes, and determining pragmatic solutions.

Reporting and Analysis:

Advise finance community in understanding and utilising financial data in SAP S/4HANA for their business reporting, analysis and strategic management. Initiate and lead deep dives into SAP financial data for specific analyses, ensuring the data is leveraged to its fullest potential.

Process Improvement:

Identify and analyse opportunities to streamline and improve end-to-end financial processes, including opportunities for automation, both within and beyond the ERP system. Develop and implement best practices to enhance efficiency and accuracy.

Collaboration with BAs:

Work closely with the team of Business Analysts within the department to configure, maintain, and optimise the SAP S/4HANA ERP system to support financial operations.

Training and Support:

Accountable for the development of user guides, documentation, and training materials through a team of analysts. Coordinate all training and support activities, determining when to conduct training personally or delegate it to team members.

Project Management:

Lead finance-related projects, including data cleanups and developing reporting solutions. Ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.

Compliance:

Ensure compliance of data management and finance processes with internal controls, policies, and procedures. Stay updated on relevant accounting standards and regulations.

Risk Management:

Collaborate with the SAP GRC CoE to identify and manage risks in financial processes, data management and reporting. Act as risk owner for identified risks and ensure appropriate controls and mitigation actions are implemented.

Audit Coordination:

Coordinate engagements with, and respond to requests from, auditors to ensure timely and accurate provision of information.

Knowledge Maintenance:

Maintain a good knowledge of all SAP S/4HANA functionality and data to ensure optimal use and continuous improvement. Stay updated on solution developments and identify new opportunities in financial processes, data management and reporting.

Leadership and Mentorship:

Mentor and guide staff, fostering an environment of collaboration and continuous learning. Assign responsibilities and oversee the work of team members to ensure achievement of goals. Role Requirements

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, or a related field. CA(SA) designation preferred.

Knowledge and Experience:

Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, or a related field. CA(SA) designation preferred. Minimum of 5 years of experience in a finance or accounting role, with a focus on ERP systems. Experience in a finance or accounting role, with a focus on ERP systems. Extensive experience with SAP S/4HANA ERP system, or similar ERP systems, and related financial and reporting solutions. Experience with financial process improvement and automation. Experience in using data management and reporting tools will be advantageous. This role requires a deep understanding of financial and accounting processes.

Skills:

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex financial data and provide actionable recommendations. Naturally curious about system functionality and continuously seeking ways to improve it. Excellent communication, interpersonal, and influencing skills. Ability to build productive relationships. Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Behavioral Competencies
Action Oriented Collaborates Communicates Effectively Customer Focus Directs Work Drives Results Instils Trust Manages Complexity Optimizes Work Processes Self-Development Tech Savvy

Core Competencies

Being resilient - Contributing through others
Collaborates - Contributing through others
Cultivates innovation - Contributing through others
Customer focus - Contributing through others
Drives results - Contributing through others

Build a successful career with us

We're all about building strong, lasting relationships with our employees. We know that you have hopes for your future - your career, your personal development and of achieving great things. We pride ourselves in helping our employees to realise their worth. Through its five business clusters - Sanlam Fintech, Sanlam Life and Savings, Sanlam Investment Group, Sanlam Allianz, Santam, as well as MiWay and the Group Office - the group provides many opportunities for growth and development.

Turnaround time

The closing date is 08 July 2025 The shortlisting process will only start once the application due date has been reached. The time taken to complete this process will depend on how far you progress and the availability of managers.

Our commitment to transformation

The Sanlam Group is committed to achieving transformation and embraces diversity. This commitment is what drives us to achieve a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace as we believe that these are key components to ensuring a thriving and sustainable business in South Africa. The Group's Employment Equity plan and targets will be considered as part of the selection process.