Dis-Chem Life Financial Reporting Specialist

SUMMARY:
Ready to Redefine the Future of Insurance?

POSITION INFO:

Purpose of the Role:

At Dis-Chem Life, we are redefining how insurance and health intersect, creating a future where financial security and well-being are seamlessly connected. As our Financial Reporting Specialist, you will be at the heart of this transformation—ensuring the integrity of our financial data, guiding regulatory compliance, and providing strategic insights that empower impactful decisions.

You will not only uphold world-class financial reporting standards but also contribute directly to the financial transparency and sustainability of an ambitious, fast-evolving organisation.

This is more than a reporting role—it’s a critical function in enabling the growth and resilience of our insurance operations within a dynamic, consumer-centric group.

As our Financial Reporting Specialist, you will step into a role that blends precision with purpose—one that demands technical expertise but also offers something more: the opportunity to shape an emerging insurer at the intersection of commerce and care, where your work directly drives transformation.

In a business where agility, trust, and innovation are non-negotiable, your numbers won’t just reconcile—they will tell the story of where we are going.

Role Summary

This role is responsible for the end-to-end financial reporting function across Dis-Chem Life and its associated insurance cell, ensuring compliance with IFRS, tax legislation, and SAM regulations.

You will deliver accurate and insightful financial and regulatory reporting, partnering with commercial, risk, and actuarial teams to support capital adequacy assessments and strategic planning.

You will serve as a key subject matter expert on insurance cell reporting and a change agent in continuously improving our reporting tools, policies, and processes.

Benefits:

• A front-row seat to insurance innovation
• Opportunities for personal growth and professional development, including access to cutting-edge technologies
• A collaborative and inclusive environment that values your contribution and provides space for personal growth.
• The opportunity to influence high-stake financial decisions and regulatory outcomes that directly shape the future of life insurance in South Africa.
• Competitive salary
• Visionary Leadership

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Financial Reporting

• Lead the timely preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with IFRS and regulatory timelines.
• Spearhead reporting for our insurance cell, including financials, reserves, and solvency metrics.
• Drive the financial input into the Group’s commercial strategy by providing decision-ready reporting and insights.
• Own the consolidation process across business units and insurance structures.

Regulatory & Audit Excellence

• Manage all regulatory submissions including SARS (VAT, Tax, PAYE) and FSCA/SAM requirements.
• Ensure audit readiness, manage external audit engagements, and coordinate responses to audit findings.
• Stay ahead of evolving IFRS and SAM regulations, embedding changes into processes and reporting tools.

Commercial & Cross-Functional Enablement

• Partner with the commercial team to deliver financial insight on new product launches, insurance innovations, and growth initiatives.
• Provide financial data and commentary to risk and actuarial teams for solvency, reserving, and capital adequacy modelling.
• Translate complex financial results into clear, actionable business intelligence for executive stakeholders.

Process, Control & Innovation

• Enhance internal controls and drive automation within the financial reporting lifecycle.
• Champion improvements in financial systems, reporting structures, and reconciliations.
• Maintain general ledger accuracy and perform regular reconciliations to ensure integrity across financial data.
• Perform variance analysis and provide clear commentary on actuals versus budget to support proactive decision-making.
• Support the preparation of budgets and forecasts, delivering meaningful variance analysis and financial insights.
• Collaborate with technology and commercial functions to embed scalable, digital-first finance processes.

Technical Skills:

• Advanced IFRS proficiency, especially in the insurance domain
• Direct experience in insurance cell reporting is highly desirable
• In-depth understanding of Solvency Assessment and Management (SAM) and regulatory compliance
• Expertise in general ledger management, variance analysis, and consolidated reporting
• Financial systems experience (Xero, Syft, or equivalent ERP)
• Advanced Excel and financial modelling abilities

Soft Skills:

• Uncompromising attention to accuracy and financial integrity
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to link numbers to strategy
• Communicative and confident in presenting to senior stakeholders
• A self-starter who thrives under pressure and embraces change
• Collaborative, diplomatic, and influential across cross-functional teams
• Solutions-oriented mindset with a continuous improvement lens

Experience:

• 3–5 years’ hands-on financial reporting experience, ideally within an insurance or financial services environment
• Deep familiarity with insurance cell reporting and solvency frameworks
• Track record of managing external audits, regulatory submissions, and complex consolidations
• Prior experience working in a growth-oriented or commercially driven environment is a plus

Qualifications:

• BCom in Accounting or Finance (required)
• Postgraduate Diploma / Honours in Accounting (advantageous)
• CA(SA) or CIMA designation (preferred and highly regarded)