Vice President: Internal Controls - Financial Reporting

To provide strategic leadership, governance, and oversight of the Group's Internal Financial Controls (IFC) framework, ensuring compliance with JSE Listing Requirements (Section 3.84(k)), the COSO 2013 framework, and applicable governance standards. The role is responsible for strengthening the control environment across the Group, safeguarding the integrity of financial reporting, managing financial reporting risks, driving continuous improvement in control effectiveness, and providing assurance to executive leadership and the Audit & Risk Committee on the adequacy and effectiveness of internal financial controls.

Roles and Responsibilities

JSE 3.84(k) Compliance Leadership and Oversight

• Lead the planning, execution, and management of the company’s Internal Financial Controls (IFC) compliance program to meet JSE Listings Requirements (specifically Section 3.84(k)), ensuring timely and effective completion of reporting cycles.
• Support the Group Chief Financial Officer in driving continuous improvement in the IFC program maturity, scalability, and risk coverage in alignment with the King V Report on Corporate Governance.

Risk and Control Assessment

• Oversee the scoping, risk assessment, and control identification process for all Business Units and Group functions in collaboration with key stakeholders, including Group Risk and Group Internal Audit, for final approval by the Group Chief Financial Officer.
• Evaluate new risks, with the support of Group Risk, arising from organisational changes, acquisitions, systems implementations, or regulatory updates (e.g., Companies Act of South Africa, governance changes, tax regulations in various jurisdictions etc.).

Internal Control Design and Testing   

• Ensure proper design and implementation of internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR/IFC), focusing on key controls that will ensure high assurance coverage levels for all financial balances included in the primary financial statements (i.e., Statement of Financial Position; Statement of Comprehensive Income, Statement of Changes in Equity, and Statement of Cash Flow).
• Proper design and implementation of Group controls, including, Entity-level Controls (ELCs), IT General Controls (ITGCs), and Fraud controls.
• Proper design and implementation of business/operational controls, including manual and automated controls.
• Manage the control testing strategy, including Management control self-assessment reported through the Internal Control Matrix (ICM) process, Group Internal Audit assurance as part of the Combined Assurance Model, and External Audit assurance.
• Ensure timely remediation of deficiencies identified through the ICM, Combined Assurance, and External Audit processes.

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

• Serve as a key liaison with External Audit, Group Internal Audit, Group and Business Finance, and Group IT to align on testing, controls reliance, and remediation.
• Provide clear and timely communication to senior leadership and control owners on IFC matters, including deficiencies and remediation plans.
• Provide assistance with the resolution of control queries/deficiencies in all regions/countries in which the Group operations as well as within Group Functions.
• Ensure timeous escalation of unresolved deficiencies and incomplete documentation supporting IFC’s to the Group Chief Financial Officer for corrective action.

Governance and Reporting

• Maintain sound relationships with Group Chief Executive Officer, Group Chief Financial Officer, Audit & Risk Committee and other Group Functions with regards to IFCs.
• Prepare and present regular updates to the Group Chief Executive Officer, Group Chief Financial Officer, and the Audit & Risk Committee on JSE 3.84(k) compliance status, key findings, and emerging risks.
• Final review and sign-off on bottom-up collection of control evidence of Management self-assessments informing ICM submissions and reporting.
• Maintain documentation standards and oversee control certifications and sub-certification processes required to support the Group Chief Executive Officer and Group Chief Financial Officer's statutory sign-off requirements in terms of the JSE 3.84(k) requirements.

Team Leadership and Development   

• Provide continuous training and awareness to all control owners as and when required. This may include ad-hoc travel to regions and jurisdiction to provide face-to-face training.
• Manage and mentor a team of IFC professionals, providing guidance, feedback, and development opportunities (currently no team – the size of the team will be determined based on the outcome of the Internal Controls of Financial Reporting Project).
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.

Process and Technology Optimisation

• Identify opportunities to leverage technology, automation, and data analytics to enhance control effectiveness and program efficiency.
• Continuously focus on moving from manual to automated controls, thereby reducing dependency on manual controls.
• Drive alignment with broader internal control and governance initiatives, including ESG and overall enterprise risk management (ERM), where relevant, in collaboration with the functional teams responsible for ESG and ERM.

Qualification Requirements

• A postgraduate qualification in Finance, Accounting, Internal Audit, Risk Management, or Business Administration is required.
• CA(SA) or equivalent professional accounting qualification (essential).
• Preferred Professional Certifications
• Certified Internal Auditor (CIA).
• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA).
• Certified Risk Management Assurance (CRMA).
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or equivalent international accounting designation.
• Membership of relevant professional bodies such as SAICA, IIA South Africa, or IRMSA.

Specific Experience Requirements

• 10-15 years' experience in finance, internal audit, risk management, or financial controls.
• At least 5 years in a senior leadership or executive role overseeing internal financial controls, governance, assurance, or risk management within a large or listed organisation.
• Demonstrated experience applying internal control, governance and financial reporting frameworks in a listed multinational environment.
• Ongoing professional development in financial controls, governance, risk management, and emerging regulatory requirements is required.
• ERP systems experience.
• Consolidation systems such as OneStream.
• External reporting systems such as Workiva.
• Knowledge of automated controls and system access/change management controls.
• Experience within a JSE-listed environment.
• Big 4 audit/advisory experience advantageous.
• Demonstrated experience implementing JSE 3.84(k) control frameworks.
• Experience liaising with external auditors and Audit & Risk Committees.
• Experience facilitating IFC training and awareness programmes.

Specialised Knowledge

• Advanced understanding of financial statement preparation, consolidation processes and financial reporting risks.
• Advanced knowledge of:
• Internal Financial Controls (IFC) frameworks.
• COSO 2013 Internal Control Framework.
• Enterprise Risk Management (ERM).
• Corporate Governance principles and the King IV Code.
• JSE Listing Requirements relating to Internal Financial Controls.
• IFRS and financial reporting standards.
• Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance principles (advantageous for multinational environments).
• Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) systems and controls automation.
• Entity Level Controls (ELCs).
• IT General Controls (ITGCs).
• Information Prepared by the Entity (IPE).
• Financial statement assertions.
• Deficiency evaluation methodologies.
• Internal Control Matrix (ICM) processes.
• Combined Assurance methodologies.

Key Competencies:

• Strategic and enterprise-wide thinker.
• Demonstrates the highest levels of integrity, ethics, and independence.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability.
• Sound judgement and effective decision-making.
• Influential relationship builder with the ability to engage executives and board committees.
• Courageous and objective in challenging control deficiencies and governance risks.
• Results-oriented with a strong focus on accountability and execution.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills.
• High levels of resilience, professionalism, and discretion.
• ability to lead programmes/projects

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