Accountant (6-month contract)Challenger Limited is an ASX-listed investment management firm managing $105 billion in assets (as at 30 June 2023). Life with us is fast moving and always exciting. Together we're driving to deliver our vision to provide our customers with financial security for a better retirement. We achieve this goal by providing a work environment where people from diverse backgrounds, with a range of skills and experiences can contribute and succeed. The Financial Accountant provides hands on financial control and accounting support to the Group Financial Control team and owns the accounting process for the Challenger Mortgage division. They are an important part of Group Financial Control's service delivery to its internal customers across the Challenger operating segments. The Team: Group Financial Control is a team of six (6) working towards themon goal of delivering the statutory reporting and financial results for the Challenger Group, along with accounting support for strategic transactions, and monthly consolidated results. Members of the team sharemon tasks as well as owning unique tasks depending on the individual's role and experience. The wider finance team includes Group Financial Control, Business Performance, Tax, Treasury, Actuarial, Risk &pliance, with teams operating in a highly interactive and collaborative manner. Financial Control Maintaining the financial control processes for a number of Challenger corporate entities, including the Group's mortgage trusts (22 Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs). Act as support cover for the Challenger Group Services / Treasury Accountant Liaising with the external trust accounting provider and managing their deliverables, ensuring accuracy and timely delivery. Monthly reporting of results and analytical review. Preparation of monthly balance sheet reconciliations. Tax effect accounting and tax returnpletion. Responsible for the accurate accounting and reporting of the mortgage investment sub consolidation containing the NIM portfolio and the INCA portfolio. Review and ensure distribution payments are made when they fall due and check accuracy of calculation before payment authorisation. Consolidation / Cash Flow reporting Preparation of consolidation journals Review of sub consolidations from other business units performing key checks around retained earnings, equity, intersegment transactions and account mappings Cashflow reporting External Reporting / Statutory Reporting Assist with preparation of the ASX listed annual report for Challenger Limited and explanatory notes. Preparation of audit files and dealing with auditors with regards to audit queries. Preparation of statutory financial statement for those corporate entities and the securitised mortgage trusts. Heavy involvement in the Challenger Group annual reporting process for inclusion in Group ASX external reporting (Annual / Interim reports) and monthly management reporting. This includes but is not limited to SPV note preparation, contributing to the FRM and Derivatives notes. Other General support for the Group Finance function including participating in project work, Board reporting, accounting advice for deals and transactions and implementing new accounting standards. Cross over with Challenger Services Ltd, which is the main operating entity and acts as the servicepany for the consolidated group and boutiques. Continually drive process improvements across both the Group and mortgage areas. Maintaining accounting records & analysis for the Group's Shared Based Payment schemes. Participate in ad hoc projects including strategic transactions, new system implementation, new accounting standards implementation Participate in mortgage investment transactions by the Lifepany Heavy involvement in the transition of the existing mortgage back book from NAB to Challenger. Knowledge & Skills required: Working understanding of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Identifying, assessing, and evaluating key financial controls in a finance function Intermediate MS Excel experience ( pivot tables, SUMIF, VLOOKUP) with an ability to analyse large amounts of data Workiva (Nice to have) Financial Services Industry experience (Nice to have) Experience in accounting for mortgages and other financial instruments (Nice to have) A working knowledge of the corporate regulatory environment,ernance principles, corporate accountability and conduct frameworks and the process for managing risk in a large andplex business. (Nice to have) Experience required: Financial Controls Environment Mortgage accounting Financial Services Industry (Nice to have) Qualifications required: Post graduate accounting qualification (CA/CPA etc.) with two years post qualification experience #LI-Challenger #LI-SA1 #LI-Hybrid We value inclusion and diversity of thought, promote flexible working practices so our people can integrate their work and personal lives, and are proud to be a Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) Employer of Choice for Gender Equality. We believe in bringing your authentic self and a belonging in our culture. We are prideful in participating in the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) as a national benchmark on LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion and best practice in Australia. We offer the opportunity for a broad career experience and value people who are inquisitive and rigorous and are driven to make a difference. Job type: Max Term (Fixed Term) Posting Close Date : 10/05/2024 Job ID R1791