GL Accountant at Alstom

The Railway industry today is characterized by both a strong and sustained growth across the world. The trends that drive this are well known: environmental challenges, population growth, urbanization and increasing demands for mobility.

With 6B€ of Sales and around 30,000 employees based in over 60 countries, Alstom develop & market the most complete range of systems, equipment and services offered today in the railway sector. Today we offer our customers solutions that feature a seamless blend of diverse technologies, ensuring optimal interfaces, along with flexible implementation and real synergy in innovation.

GL Accountant

Purpose of the Job :

The primary focus of this position is to ensure accurate accounting and administration of the general accounting matters and to support the business with general accounting requirement.

Responsibilities of the position are as follows, but not limited to:

Asset management

• Asset management in accordance with the asset management plan
• Maintain documentation for acquisitions/commissioning/disposals/transfers for audit purposes
• Maintain accurate fixed asset register
• Capital assets are properly tagged with an asset number that traces to the fixed asset sub ledger/register - monitor this process with the business.
• Coordinate a physical verification of assets.

Reconciliations

• Balance sheet accounts in GFSS scope reconciled and submitted for review
• Monitoring of dashboard of unreconciled accounts and items and follow up
• Ensure accuracy and completeness, key general ledger accounts (cash and bank accounts, payroll, accounts receivables, accounts payables, fixed assets) are monthly reconciled to sub-ledgers, and reconciliations are properly reviewed/approved by a person different from the preparer of the reconciliation.
• A quality review is performed on account balances to ensure balances are reasonable, accurate, compliant with prescribed accounting policies
• Collaborate in balance sheet review

Invoicing

• Accurate and timeous preparation of accounts receivable invoices, statements and PO/SO flow (if applicable) for all debtors.
• Assist project controlling with reconciliations of PRASA debtors, down-payment, retention etc.

Cross-function support

• • Providing support to HR on payroll general accounting related matter
    

Internal controls and systems

• • Ensure continuous improvement of the GL accounting processes
  • Monitor and improve internal controls related to GL accounting
  • Driver for the GSI general ledger accounting improvements and other system improvements related to the GL scope
  • Be guardian of the rules for the controls relevant to general accounting. Strengthen internal control culture (focus on segregation of duties, recons)

Journals and processing

• Maintenance of journal register and supporting documentation for all manual journals except for treasury journals
• All significant estimates and accruals (in particular but not limited to: payroll accruals, goods/services received / rendered not invoiced…) are supported by calculations and relevant supporting documentation with references to applicable policies and procedures.
• Accruals ageing are regularly reviewed and investigated.

KPIs

• KPI formulation for team to keep track of performance and business within your GL scope

Administration and ad/hocs

• • Assist finance manager in preparation of financial statements

Core competencies, knowledge and experience

Job related skill:

• • ATTENTION TO DETAIL – ACCURACY IS IMPERATIVE
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Strong interpersonal and influencing skills
  • Solid understanding of SAP and other reporting systems
  • Strong excel skills

Job related knowledge:

• International Financial Reporting Standards basic knowledge
• Companies Act
• Commercial knowledge about South Africa and Europe

Job experience:

• At least 3 – 5 years relevant experience in general accounting/finance administration environment

Technical/professional qualifications:

• Matric
• B.Com Degree or Accounting diploma

Individual required

• Energetic, self-motivated, driven individual
• Able to work with others – constant liaison with inter-company/offshore holding company, central team, and local team
• Able to identify problematic points and propose solutions
• Able to start and complete tasks
• Must be able to handle pressure and use effective problem solving skills
• Multi-tasker – they will be managing multiple tax types
• Excellent communication skills
• Fast-learner and ability to adapt amendments in the tax environment
• Ability to handle pressure during critical times