Product Control Specialist, Transaction Banking, Investor Services Product, CIB Finance

This role sits within the Corporate & Investment Banking (CIB) Finance division, focusing on the Transaction Banking and Investor Services sector. The successful candidate will join a team dedicated to establishing a robust, scalable, and standardized control environment that spans the bank’s operations across its African regions. This is a highly technical finance position that prioritizes integrity, audit readiness, and process optimization.

About the role

The core mission of the Product Control Specialist is to ensure the absolute accuracy and substantiation of the balance sheet and income statement. You will play a pivotal role in the monthly sign-off process for group finance, as well as the annual external audit requirements. Beyond standard reporting, the position involves high-level risk assessment. You will be expected to evaluate both on-balance sheet and off-balance sheet exposures, ensuring that all business activities remain strictly aligned with the organization’s credit policies and risk appetite.

Furthermore, you will act as a change agent. The bank is looking for a professional who can identify gaps in current reporting structures and drive the implementation of improvements. This includes automating processes, refining month-end procedures, and ensuring the control environment keeps pace with the bank’s evolving transaction banking products.

You will be expected to balance daily technical reconciliation tasks with broader project-based responsibilities. Key activities include:

• Executing and overseeing the reconciliation of financial data to ensure integrity across all reporting ledgers.
• Conducting deep-dive financial analysis to substantiate P&L and balance sheet entries for audit purposes.
• Identifying root causes for financial discrepancies and implementing corrective controls to mitigate future risks.
• Collaborating with diverse stakeholders across multiple African countries to harmonize financial controls and governance standards.
• Leading projects aimed at process automation and the optimization of financial systems, ensuring they remain fit-for-purpose.
• Assessing business exposures against credit policy to provide actionable risk insights.

What they're looking for

To be considered for this position, you must possess a strong academic foundation and specialized experience within a complex banking environment. The organization requires a candidate who can manage the rigour of a multi-country finance landscape.

• **Qualifications:** A postgraduate degree in Commerce, Finance, or Accounting is essential. Professional designations such as a CA (SA), CFA, or CIMA are highly preferred.
• **Experience:** You should have 3–4 years of direct experience in Product Control or finance within a CIB or Transaction Banking environment.
• **Technical Proficiency:** You must have a solid grasp of IFRS standards and practical experience with balance sheet substantiation. Proficiency in financial systems like SAP and sub-ledger environments (such as Finacle, T24, or GBM) is required.
• **Regional Exposure:** Demonstrable experience in managing financial operations or governance across multiple African jurisdictions is a distinct advantage.

As a Product Control Specialist in a top-tier South African financial institution, you are entering a career path that often leads to senior management roles in Finance, Risk, or Middle Office operations. Such roles in the Johannesburg financial hub typically offer competitive corporate remuneration packages, which generally include performance-based bonuses, medical aid, and pension contributions. For professionals with a CA (SA) or equivalent, this role provides significant exposure to the "engine room" of the bank, offering a strong platform for those aiming to transition into international finance or regional directorships within the financial services sector.

Type of Qualification: Post Graduate Degree

Field of Study: Business Commerce, Finance and Accounting

Other Minimum Qualifications, Certifications or Professional Membership: CA (SA), CFA, CIMA

Experience Required

3-4 years Product Control/finance experience, preferably across Transaction Banking or Corporate & Investment Banking environment.

3-4 years Africa Regions exposure or demonstrable experience working with multi-country finance, product control or governance stakeholders.

3-4 years experience and solid knowledge of accounting and financial systems, including SAP and relevant source/sub-ledger environments such as GBM, Finacle, T24 or equivalent.

3-4 years experience and solid IFRS knowledge and practical understanding of balance sheet substantiation, P&L reporting, reconciliations, financial controls and audit evidence requirements.

3-4 years experience with process documentation, operating procedures, automation initiatives, financial accounting reviews, root cause analysis and project execution.

Behavioural Competencies:

• Articulating Information
• Challenging Ideas
• Checking Things
• Convincing People
• Embracing Change
• Examining Information
• Interpreting Data
• Managing Tasks
• Providing Insights
• Pursuing Goals
• Team Working
• Thinking Positively

Technical Competencies:

• Financial Accounting
• Financial Analysis
• Financial and Accounting Control
• Reconciling Financial Records
• Statistical & Mathematical Analysis