Accountant

at  Discovery Ltd

As an IFRS specialist within Group IFRS Technical, you will assist with the implementation of IFRS Accounting Standards across the Discovery Group of entities.

This includes delivering on:

• Implement transactions consistent with IFRS Accounting Standards and co-designing accounting solutions to drive compliance with IFRS Accounting Standards in working with the Group Financial Reporting team.
• Discovery businesses in the assessment of new IFRS Accounting Standards, accounting for transactions according to IFRS Accounting Standards, the development of accounting policies and manuals to assist in the consistent application of IFRS Accounting Standards in Discovery, training on IFRS Accounting Standards, and assisting in preparation of financial statements in compliance with IFRS Accounting Standards.
• Liaise with Stakeholders
• Prepare and present papers to the Discovery Accounting Practices Committee, Audit Committee and/ or Regulator.
• Liaise with external auditors, specifically on IFRS Accounting Standards related queries and Financial Statements presentation and disclosures.
• Assist with communication to the JSE Limited, Equity and Debt Sponsors.
• Participate in industry forums.

Areas of responsibility

• Preparation and Review of Annual Financial Statements
• Assist in drafting the Discovery Group Financial Statements in line with IFRS Accounting Standards, Companies Act, JSE regulations, and best practices.
• Review subsidiary financial statements and provide guidance and recommendations on disclosures in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards and Companies Act.
• Create and share relevant reporting frameworks and templates for use in business, including financial statement templates and reporting pack templates
• Development of IFRS disclosures for new IFRS Accounting Standards or interpretations.
• New or amended IFRS Accounting Standards:
• Stay abreast of IFRS and public reporting developments and pro-actively expand and deepen your practical understanding and application of IFRS Accounting Standards and ensure knowledge transfer to the larger finance teams.
• Research impact of new and amended accounting standards on Discovery Group transactions.
• Oversee implementation of new accounting standards across the Discovery Group (initiation, planning, execution, and monitoring
• IFRS Accounting Standards interpretation and application across the Discovery Group
• Assist with the facilitation of the Discovery Accounting Practices Committee, which reviews new transactions and consistent application of IFRS across the Discovery Group of entities.
• Address accounting queries on IFRS Accounting Standards.
• Writing accounting opinions and position papers, including policy documents and manuals. This includes the accounting implications pre and post deals, as well as at a separate financial statement view and consolidated financial statement view.
• Present training on IFRS Accounting Standards to finance teams
• Liaise with Stakeholders
• Prepare and present papers to the Audit Committee and/ or Regulator.
• Liaise with external auditors, specifically on IFRS Accounting Standard queries and Financial Statement queries
• Assist with communication to the JSE and Sponsors.
• Participate in industry forums.
• Support the investor relations team with technical queries on results and other ad hoc requests
• Stay abreast of IFRS and public reporting developments and pro-actively expand and deepen your practical understanding and application of IFRS and ensure knowledge transfer to the larger finance teams
• Assist in the planning and running of the annual audit.

Profile

• Self-management skills
• Advanced knowledge and application of IFRS Accounting Standards
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Impeccable attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to work well under pressure
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Strong project management skills
• Advanced Excel knowledge and experience

Qualifications
The candidate should be a qualified CA (SA) with a minimum of 3 years of experience in a similar role. Job level will consider years of experience in similar roles. Experience within financial services and JSE-listed entities is advantageous.