Finance Process Analyst: Job Grade 11: SLS: Finance Services: Bellville at Sanlam Group

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 design, optimise, maintain and support financial processes (beyond the system parts of the process) across various finance-related systems, including SAP S/4HANA and related financial and reporting solutions.  
• This role will guide and support stakeholders to ensure processes are working as intended, perform data analysis related to process performance, and contribute to training initiatives.

What will make you successful in this role?

Process Design and Optimization:

• Analyse current financial processes and identify areas for improvement.
• Identify opportunities for process automation and streamlining using technology solutions. 
• Conduct cost-benefit analysis to evaluate the impact of proposed process changes. 
• Design and implement optimised financial processes relating to SAP S/4HANA and related financial and reporting solutions.
• Ensure processes are efficient, scalable, controlled and compliant with regulatory requirements.

Process Mapping and Documentation:

• Thoroughly document existing financial processes across different departments, including data flows, decision points, and control points.
• Utilise process mapping tools to visualise workflows and identify potential bottlenecks.
• Maintain up-to-date documentation of financial processes.

System Support and Collaboration:

• Collaborate with the team of Business Analysts in the department to ensure SAP S/4HANA and related financial and reporting solutions are effectively implemented and managed.
• Provide ongoing support to ensure financial processes are working as intended.
• Work closely, and lead workshops, with the finance community and other stakeholders to understand their needs and challenges.

Stakeholder Guidance and Support:

• Develop and implement process improvement plans, including change management strategies. 
• Guide and support stakeholders in the adoption and use of new processes and systems.
• Act as a liaison between the finance community and business analyst team to ensure seamless integration of financial processes.
• Communicate process changes effectively. 

Data Analysis and Reporting:

• Extract and analyse financial data from various systems to identify trends, anomalies, and areas for improvement.
• Perform data analysis to monitor the functioning of financial processes and identify potential shortcomings.
• Generate reports and presentations highlighting key performance indicators (KPIs) related to financial processes.
• Provide insights and recommendations to senior management based on process performance analysis.
• Provide guidance and input for developing financial reports and dashboards.

Training and Development:

• Develop content for training materials related to financial processes and systems.
• Conduct training sessions in collaboration with the Business Support Analyst, where required, to ensure stakeholders are proficient in new processes and systems.

Compliance and Risk Management:

• Ensure financial processes comply with internal policies and external regulations.
• Identify and mitigate risks associated with financial processes and systems.
• Conduct regular analysis and assessments to ensure process integrity and accuracy.

Role Requirements

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting, or a related field.
• Qualifications or certifications in process analysis or business analysis would be advantageous.
• SAP Finance or related certifications would be advantageous.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a financial process analyst or financial business analyst role.
• Experience in a financial process analyst or financial business analyst role.
• Good experience with SAP S/4HANA, or similar ERP systems, and related financial and reporting solutions would be advantageous.
• This role requires a deep understanding of financial operations, process improvement methodologies, and multiple SAP systems. 
• Strong knowledge of process improvement methodologies.

Skills:

• Strong analysis and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build productive relationships.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proficiency with process mapping and documentation tools.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel.

Behavioral Competencies

• Action Oriented
• Being Resilient
• Collaborates
• Communicates Effectively
• Cultivates Innovation 
• Customer Focus
• Drives Results
• Optimizes Work Processes
• Self-Development
• Tech Savvy