Financial Reporting Accountant

With 3.4 billion people in over 190 countries using our products every day, Unilever is a business that makes a real impact on the world. Work on brands that are loved and improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We are driven by our purpose: to make sustainable living commonplace, and it is our belief that doing business the right way drives superior performance. At the heart of what we do is our people – we believe that when our people work with purpose, we will create a better business and a better world. 

At Unilever, your career will be a unique journey, grounded in our inclusive, collaborative, and flexible working environment. We don’t believe in the ‘one size fits all’ approach and instead we will equip you with the tools you need to shape your own future.

CATEGORY/FUNCTION INTRODUCTION

At Unilever, the Finance function is a key strategic partner in driving sustainable business performance and long-term value creation.

Within this function, the Financial Reporting team plays a critical role in ensuring the integrity, accuracy, and transparency of our financial information.

We are responsible for delivering high-quality statutory and management reporting, ensuring compliance with global accounting standards, and supporting internal and external stakeholders with timely insights. By combining technical expertise with a deep understanding of the business, we help shape strategic decisions, manage risk, and uphold Unilever’s reputation for financial excellence and accountability.

JOB PURPOSE

Unilever is the place where you can bring your purpose to life with the work that you do – creating a better business and a better world.  If you are passionate about delivering accurate, insightful, and timely financial reporting that drives strategic decision-making and ensures compliance with global standards, then this role is just for you! As a Financial Reporting Accountant, you will play a critical role in safeguarding Unilever’s financial integrity, supporting transparency, and enabling sustainable growth.

WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE

• Audit: Engage and management of external auditors
•  Providing information and responses to audit queries
•  Preparation of Annual Financial Statements
•  Preparation of local only year-end adjustments
•  Preparation of annual impairment test
•  Address action points from internal audit reports
•  Quarterly & Year end reporting activities
• Responsible for IFRS 16 reporting and communication of contract additions, modifications or deletion to global team
• Preparation of IFRS 9 provision
• Responsible for preparation of current and deferred tax calculations
• Responsible for pension and Long-term service award submissions to the Global pensions team including IAS 19 valuations
• Preparation and presentation of Balance sheet review file for review with VP finance
• Preparation of information for annual V800 submissions
• Responsible for preparation of liquidity and solvency test for dividend declarations
• Preparation for quarterly pension forecast submissions
•  Monitor Blackline access levels
•  SCOA changes as communicated by the Global team
•  Resolving intercompany mismatches at month end
•  Insurance questionnaire
•  BBBEE reporting
•  SAP - key user testing for Change Requests (CR)
•  Monthly activities
•  Preparation of Free cash flow
•  Balance sheet hygiene-clearing of aged items
•  Process journals on Blackline
• Resolving SCOA validation errors
•  Monthly pensions and Long-term service awards reporting (Including check to GL)
•  Intercompany accruals
• Preparation of OP to Local recon and local balance sheet
•  Attend month end calls between OC and 3rd party- TB Review, CLM, NFD
• TB Review - Attend TB Review with OC & CG and ensure all outcomes/actions are closed out hold relevant parties accountable
• CLM - Attend CLM Review with Controller, FA, OC & CG and ensure all outcomes/actions are closed out - hold relevant parties accountable
• Calculation of monthly service fee payable to Unilever PLC
• Monitoring audit fees monthly
•  Assisting the business with accounting queries
• Verification of daily payroll payments and releases
• Tracking and monitoring of over-due intercompany accounts and focusing on collection of outstanding receipts
• Control Dashboard - central feedback point and commentary for the FM/Controller and VP.
• Prepare feedback summary for monthly NFD meeting
• CHI Lead - Country service recipient for Control Health Monitoring for R2R and P2P - attend all meetings and follow up on open tickets and drive closure.
• Bank allocation assistance to CG for unallocated bank items
•  Pensions - reallocation journals processed on behalf of Pensions
• General Ledger Master data changes and updates
• Internal Audit and Controls team - assist IC & Controls with audit requests & provide relevant
• Ensure the roll forward of GL, AP & AR balances are completed by CG post year end (Annual)

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED

Experiences & Qualifications

• CA (SA) Requirement
• Newly Qualified CA (1-2 years experience post qualification (beneficial))

Skills

• Strong Technical knowledge of IFRS
• Effective business partnering and communication skills
• Effective time management skills
• Ability to meet and manage deadlines
• Ability to work under pressure and multi- task
• Technical Skills - SAP, Excel, PowerPoint

Leadership

• You are energized by delivering fantastic results. You are an example to others – both your results and your resilience. You are constantly on the lookout for better ways to do things, engaging and collaborating with others along the way.
• As an individual you are the one responsible for your own wellbeing and delivering high standards of work. You must also focus on the Consumer and what they need. You are humble and have your head up, looking around to interpret evidence and data smartly, spot issues and opportunities to make things better.

• Critical SOL (Standards of Leadership) Behaviors
  • PASSION FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE: Takes personal responsibility and accountability for execution and results. Has an owner’s mindset, using data and insight to make decisions.
  • PERSONAL MASTERY: Sets high standards for themselves. Actively builds own wellbeing and resilience.
  • CONSUMER LOVE: Whatever their role, always looks for better ways to serve consumers. Invests time inside and outside to understand the needs of consumers.
  • PURPOSE & SERVICE: Has humility, understanding that leadership is service to others, inside and outside Unilever.
  • AGILITY: Explores the world around them, continually learning and developing their skills.

Unilever is an equal opportunities employer and committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace.  We are intentional in employing the best talent that reflects the demographics of our country and which will help build representation of currently under-represented groups. We therefore invite applications from all candidates representing diversity of age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief. When appointing potential candidates, the South African Employment Equity and Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Legislation will be considered.  

We are required by law to verify your ability to work lawfully in South Africa. If you are applying as a foreign national, please note that you may be requested to provide supporting documents supporting this.

This is an office-based role in Durban and requires 100% of time attendance on site.

Unilever is an organisation committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! Thus if you require any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.