Supervisor – Payables BTS Utilities Finance at MTN

Mission/ Core purpose of the Job

To supervise the Payables team to ensure a efficient and effective payment process and to ensure payments to suppliers, are valid, accurate, made timeously and are paid in accordance with company policies and procedures and contractual obligations.
The Supervisor is responsible to ensure that processes are understood and followed by process administrators and support continuous improvements of the processes, ensure good performance and optimize quality and timeous deliveries from process administrators. The incumbent requires excellent organisational skills, the ability to drive efficient and effective processes, have attention to detail and an eye for accuracy in all facets of the job.

Context (Global influences, environmental / industry demands, organisational mission etc.)

Working in a pressurized environment with tight payment and month end reporting deadlines and large volume of transactions.
Supervising and mentoring persons from diverse background and cultures.
Liaising with external companies and suppliers in an environment where communication skills are critical to manage both supplier and internal customer expectations as well as resolve queries.
Highly dynamic and fluctuating Telecommunications industry
Fast moving industry
Interdependency of systems and the need to understand other systems
High cross-functional dependency to deliver timeously
Internal client centric organisation
Teamwork

Key Performance Areas: Core, essential responsibilities / outputs of the position (KPA’s)

Key Deliverables

Timeous submissions of all supplier payments (BTS Utilities)
Review of Creditors reconciliations and payment with particular focus on:
Accuracy of reconciliations (Valid reconciling items)
Timeous completion of reconciliations (Timelines adhered to)
Completeness and accuracy of supporting documentation.
Investigation and resolution of long outstanding reconciling items
Validate and upload completed and accurate payment batches for BTS Utilities timeously
Prepare accurate weekly cash forecast, additional funding requirements including timeous submission to Treasury team
Month-end GL Closure: Timeous closure of the AP ledger by the 1st working day on the month
Preparation of balance sheet recons
Improved customers service through timeous processing of payment and resolution of escalated queries
Supporting Process Automation / Other system enhancements through buy-in, attendance of training, user acceptances testing, etc
Delivery of all project related deliverables
Compliance – Improved control environment through:
Robust Internal Financial Controls, internal controls required such maintaining segregation of duties, processing of approved payments against approved PO’s and invoices
resolution of audit report items
Recons: Review of all month end supplier recons and prepare recon of AP ledger to the GL
Compliance with the ARCS balance sheet submission and CSA assessments by due dates.
Updating and compliance with PPPs. Compliance with external and internal audit requirements.
People Leadership and Organisational Capability Building
Checking and reviewing subordinates’ submission to ensure accurate, complete, and
timeous submissions (high quality deliverables)
Driving the daily activities and submission to ensure quality deliverables submitted timeously (Robust review process)
Developing and training staff with regards to Creditor specific duties.
Discussion of KPI’s and with regular feedback provided in monthly feedback session
Scheduling of regular monthly meetings with subordinates and driving the capturing on HP online
Management of admin duties (KPI’s approval of leave, etc)
Ensure a culture of continuous improvement.
Drive a culture of high performance, accountability, and consequence management

Job Requirements (Education, Experience, and Competencies)

Education:

Accounts Payable / Finance / Accounting Diploma or Similar
B. Comm / Similar undergrad degree advantageous

Experience

Minimum of 5 years’ experience in AP Supervisor role in a medium to large organization
At least 2 years’ experience in a similar position, in dynamic and fast-moving industries. Telecoms experience an advantage
Intermediate knowledge of Excel
Financial systems skills – Oracle, Hyperion, ERP, etc. Required skills
Executor of high quality deliverables
Attention to detail
Interpersonal skills
Good financial acumen
Proficiency in ERP and other AP tools
Transaction processing
Good Communication & Presentation Skills

Competencies:
Head – Big Picture Focus

Analytical Thinker – Manages the alignment and execution of tactical activities
Problem Solver – Assists in solving business challenges but looks to others for advice and guidance
Operational Value Creator – Executes on innovative commercial practices and identifies areas for continuous improvement

Heart – Emotionally Intelligent

Culture and Change Champion – Role models ethical practices by living the MTN values and vital behaviours for others to follow
Supportive People Manager – Is self-aware and supports team capability development through opportunity creation for realising potential
Relationship Manager – Builds relationships with customers and teams to uphold the MTN brand

Hands – Results Focused

Results Achiever – Drives team objectives and contributes to sustainability of results
Operationally Astute – Clarifies priorities, plans, organizes and co-ordinates the work of others

Other:

Good understanding of credit assessment practices and processes
In-depth knowledge of the – regulatory and legislative requirements
A broad understanding of the MTN business
An understand of the principles of effective customer services processes
An understanding of basic financial terminology and processes (e.g. budget, expenditure, investment, loan, cash-flow, working capital, forecasting, variance analysis, cost)
Fraud detection and prevention models/tolls/methodologies

Authorities

Monitor approvals as per delegation of authority

Collaboration (Formal and Informal Relationships)

Responsibility towards: Key stakeholders: Direct reports

AP Manager, Manager: Leases, Head of Finance Operations, GM: Finance Operations and Finance Operations Finance team
All MTNSA internal stakeholders (all divisions within MTNSA) and MTN Group (where applicable)
Internal and External Audit
External stakeholders (Suppliers, Bankers) etc