Head of Business Performance and Analytics (BP & A) at Absa Bank Limited

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Job Summary

• To provide the senior management team with an insightful knowledge of the bank’s business drivers through robust and challenging analysis.
• To provide a proactive approach to improving quality of management information and analysis.
• Act as a focal point for communication between Finance and other departments / clusters within ABT and Group Finance on budget and performance issues.
• Identify cost drivers and recommend cost control / management initiatives
• To lead the business analytics team.
• As part of Finance function leadership team to play a leadership role by providing insights, ideas and technical accounting and business solutions for the betterment of the bank

Job Description

Main accountabilities and approximate time split

Planning 40%

· To co-ordinate preparation of ABT’s medium term plan and budgets including providing management with analytical support to enable them to prepare and submit quality budgets within agreed periods.

· To challenge functional budgets thereby ensuring that they are realistic and stretching.

· To ensure capital budgets are adhered.

· Build a relationship with all budget holders at all levels.

· Ensure functional and Group cross working in Country and with Group and Cluster Teams.

· To agree key budget assumptions and to prepare the budget timetable.

· Prepare CMC and Board packs on performance assessment against set budgets

Performance Management 50%

· Effective presentation of detailed business performance analysis through production of monthly management accounts.

· Support and constructively challenge monthly results, forecasts and plans for each of the business line.

· Perform ad hoc analysis within set deadlines and as requested by senior management.

· Identify value adding initiatives in conjunction with Chief Financial Officer and other business leaders in other functions.

· Provide accurately segmented information on income, costs and balance sheet to satisfy internal and external functional needs.

· Prepare and submit / forward Ml requests from CMC members and Group Finance within agreed deadlines and to ensure the information meet the highest standard.

· To prepare capital plans and to review every month to ensure that there are no violations of WRA ratios and other BOT requirements

· Be aware of and up to date with all financial and commercial issues affecting the bank.

· Recommend system enhancements to strengthen financial management systems.

· Managing group reporting that falls under planning and performance management.

Staff Management 10%

· Help team members to identify strengths and weaknesses in their own skills and attributes, review their self-development plans and ensure training and development needs are accommodated.

· Coach team members on Planning & Performance Management.

· Assess employee’s performance against contract. Review and input to Performance Management Reviews.

Risk and Control Objective

· Manage risk and control effectively by applying applicable risk frameworks and embedding a positive risk culture

· Understanding of own role in the end-to-end processes in which you play a part, including applicable risks and controls.

· Adhere to Barclay’s policies and procedures applicable to own role, demonstrating sound judgment and responsible risk management.

· Report all risk events / incidents / issues using the defined process for your business area and help to understand why these happened and how to prevent them in future.

· Proactively look for ways to improve the control environment by considering what could go wrong in the processes you operate and how errors could be prevented.

· Continuous and proactive engagement with regulatory bodies, unions where applicable

· All mandatory training completed to deadline.

Education and Experience Required

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Taxation, Banking, Actuarial Science or Computer Science.

• CPA (T)/ACCA Qualified Member – Qualified Certified Accountant is a must.

Knowledge & Skills and Experience requirement: (Maximum of 6)

§ Very strong computer and MI skills necessary for preparation of financial and performance presentations to senior management and Board of Directors. Advanced level skills on Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint

§ Strong analytical and diagnostic skills.

§ Strong planning skills – Experience in budgeting process in organizations

§ Excellent communication skills at all levels.

§ Excellent understanding of competitive activity.

§ Good understanding of global and domestic economic trends.

§ Ability to work to tight deadlines without compromising quality.

§ Strong team player with good interpersonal, negotiation and influencing skills. Ability to influence senior management across the business.

§ Experience in the financial services environment.

§ Experience in Leadership positions of not less than 3 years leading a team of two people or more and overall experience of not less than 5 years.

§ Excellent Accounting knowledge

§ Flexibility and experience to work as Financial Controller will be an added advantage

Personal Attributes:

§ Results oriented

§ Strong in analysis and judgment

§ Strategic approach to issues

§ Information gathering

§ Business awareness

§ Team player

§ Good communication

§ Quality conscious

Knowledge of the bank’s products, services and policies required to undertake the role:

§ Broad knowledge of the Bank’s financial, costing and management accounting processes.

§ Good knowledge of the bank’s products and services.

§ Good Knowledge of Bank’s balance sheet structure.

Other requirements specific to the role:

§ Experience of working in a financially focused role.

§ Experience of providing financial support and advising and influencing business management.

§ Excellent analytical skills to enable financial and operational analysis and interpretation.

§ Able to assimilate, interpret and communicate complex financial analysis to non-financial people.

Training likely to assist effectiveness in the role, and which may have been completed prior to undertaking this role:

§ Product / Service knowledge

§ Influencing and Negotiation Skills

§ Presentation Skills

§ Leadership and Team Management training.

Absa Values

Our Values provides a framework for how we in Absa work together and how we serve our customers and the communities we are in:

· Trust

· Resourceful

· Stewardship

· Inclusive

· Courage

Education

Postgraduate Degrees and Professional Qualifications: Financial Sciences (Required)