Balance Sheet & Accounting Governance Head

Our client, a leading player within the financial services sector, is seeking an experienced Balance Sheet & Accounting Governance Head to establish and lead a best-in-class accounting governance and financial control function.
This role is responsible for ensuring the integrity, accuracy, and IFRS compliance of complex balance sheet and income statement activities across multiple jurisdictions. Acting as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, you will bridge the gap between technical accounting interpretation and practical operational implementation while proactively mitigating financial reporting risk. 

You will work closely with executive leadership, finance, audit, risk, technology, and business teams to strengthen governance frameworks, enhance control environments, and ensure compliant accounting treatment of sophisticated financial products and transactions. 

This is a highly strategic leadership opportunity suited to an individual who combines deep technical accounting expertise with exceptional stakeholder management and commercial acumen. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and develop the balance sheet governance and accounting assurance strategy across multiple business entities and regions. 
• Drive the consistent interpretation and application of IFRS standards across complex financial products and transactions. 
• Establish independent review mechanisms to proactively identify, assess, and address potential financial reporting risks before audit cycles.
• Provide technical accounting oversight across new products, system enhancements, and business change initiatives.
• Partner with finance, risk, audit, legal, technology, and business leadership teams to strengthen governance and control frameworks. 
• Act as the key liaison with internal and external auditors regarding complex accounting matters and interpretations. 
• Review and challenge accounting treatments, financial controls, and balance sheet substantiation processes. 
• Identify opportunities to improve financial governance, operational efficiency, and reporting accuracy. 
• Lead strategic initiatives focused on accounting governance, risk mitigation, and financial control enhancement.

Job Experience and Skills Required:

• CA(SA) qualification is essential. 
• Postgraduate qualification in Finance, Accounting, or a related field & MBA. 
• 13+ years of senior-level experience within technical accounting, financial control, audit, or IFRS advisory environments. 
• Significant exposure to complex financial instruments, financial reporting, and governance within a large corporate or financial services environment.
• Strong experience engaging with auditors and managing accounting interpretations of technical transactions. 
• Deep understanding of IFRS and its practical implementation within complex organisations. 
• Proven leadership experience with the ability to influence senior stakeholders across multiple business functions. 

Competency Requirements:

• Strategic Thinking
• Advanced IFRS Technical Expertise
• Financial Governance & Control
• Risk Management
• Stakeholder Influence
• Leadership & Team Development
• Analytical Problem Solving
• Regulatory Compliance
• Audit & Assurance
• Change Management
• Commercial Acumen
• Decision Making