I have over 10 years’ experience in the financial services and employee benefits industry. I bring a solid understanding in withdrawal, retirement, retrenchment, and death claims, pensioners, Section 37C and Section 37D. I have back office experience in processing premiums/contributions, reconciliations, commissions. I also have almost 5 years leadership experience within a small team. I recently worked the investment space just to get a holistic understanding of fund administration. I am currently studying Law part-time through UNISA.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
4
4
Languages
Work History
Senior Administrator
Discovery
07.2024 - Current
Streamlined administrative processes by implementing efficient systems and procedures, resulting in increased productivity.
Kept office operations running smoothly by providing effective leadership and administrative skills.
Served as a key point of contact between management and employees, addressing concerns promptly and professionally to maintain a positive work environment.
Managed a team of junior administrators, providing guidance and support to ensure high levels of performance and job satisfaction.
Managed quality and accuracy of documents, and coordinated movements between different personnel and departments.
Provided exceptional customer service as the first point of contact for clients, resolving issues promptly and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders.
Delegated tasks, monitored compliance and implemented performance improvement plans.
Assisted in the recruitment process by screening resumes, conducting interviews, and making hiring recommendations based on candidate qualifications.
Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop strategies for organizational growth, leading to increased efficiency and profitability.
Developed comprehensive training programs for new employees, ensuring a smooth onboarding process and rapid integration into the workplace.
Responded to, researched and resolved issues from internal staff, external departments and customers.
Responsible for the day to day administration and managing a small team within Umbrella Fund Operations, within the Retirement Funds business unit.
Holistically manage and control a portfolio of different Retirement Fund disciplines, for example monthly contribution, claim, investment option, individual transfer in, section 14, section 28 processes. Ensure that processes and procedures are implemented, maintained and improved.
Ensure operational activity is conducted within regulatory frameworks, accurately, effectively and efficiently.
Senior Fund Administrator
Curo Fund Services
07.2023 - 06.2024
The position requires the individual to be active in the compilation, review and dissemination of investment and regulatory reports via dedicated reporting systems and processes, taking responsibility in the administration of the systems and ensuring accurate and timeous delivery to clients.
Delivered comprehensive reports such as C23, SARBs, FSB, investment breakdown, cash movement, TERs, and TCRs.
Report review (when required)
Communicating with clients regarding the investment reporting
Handling of client and ad hoc queries, ensuring timely responses thereto
Preparing and maintaining of management information (stats and adhoc reports)
Proactive in suggesting process and system enhancements to reduce risk and increase efficiencies in the team/organisation
Support and participation in related projects and change requests
Ensure compliance with company policy/procedures and client service level agreements
Liaise with service level suppliers (eg IT staff, business support and external vendors)
Senior Fund Administrator
Sanlam
11.2021 - 06.2023
Member and pensioners death Section 37C investigations
Liaising with brokers where necessary and advise of claims
Preparing new pensioners and spouse pensioners capture forms for the monthly pension payments.
Authorizing payments Funeral payments, Group Life payments and some Pension fund payments.
Setting up internal record keeping spreadsheets for ease of reference for the team
Training junior team members should need arise.
Setting up beneficiary fund accounts for minor children
Setting up monthly pension accounts for child and spousal pension following member death
Drafting of Recognition of Transfers
Drafting of claims reports to be presented to Claims Committee/Trustees meeting.
Drafting monthly spreadsheets of payments processed
Drafting benefit letters to clients
Disinvestment of funds from markets
Liaising with Actuaries regarding Old funds and guaranteed fund calculations
Give leads to financial advisors should client need one.
Compiling finance reports monthly for the Head of Operations, Finance department or Audits
Attending to daily attendance register.
Presenting Section 37C and Pensioners claims to the Claims Committee/Trustees of the fund.
Working with legal department regarding some legal report queries from the trustees of the fund.
Liaising with Absa employer regarding employee files with Human resources
Capture the member details applicable to the exit event
Apply for a tax directive where required in accordance with standard procedure.
Tax calculations and applications on the benefit (EB Tax and iTax experience)
Evaluating documentation received to prevent fraud
Resolving and responding to member/broker complaints that have been escalated.
Attending management committee meetings
Leading the team in the absence of the manager.
Senior Fund Administrator
Liberty Corporate
03.2021 - 10.2021
Billing (premium/contributions)
Credit control
Issuing renewal packs/ anniversary packs
Answering to Financial advisors/brokers and fund members any fund related enquiry
Sending out Benefit statement
Termination schedule
Drawing up recons
Creditors control.
Preparing AOD letter for legal
Calculating commissions payable to brokers
Perform quality assurance on claim forms and supporting documents received according to applicable workflow, rules and legislation to ensure claims are accurate and compliant
Check accuracy of all claim documentation and member information and request additional information if required
Verify applicability of member options to Fund Rule and Legislative requirements.
Capture the member details applicable to the exit event
Compare member contribution history and emoluments for the exit period to ensure accuracy of benefit
Interview dependent's for death claims before capturing verified dependents' information for the monthly pension
Check all member data and values are correctly updated in the member workflow, in order to calculate the member values as per the member’s option
Apply for a tax directive where required in accordance with standard procedure.
Death Claims Administrator
Metal Industries Benefit Fund Administrators
06.2016 - 02.2021
Training newly joined and old team members slightly under performing.
Checking if application forms are of the required standard
Liaising with company for investigations and documentation
Locating all deceased’s dependents
Salary and benefits calculations
Investigation of the living conditions prior to the deceased’s death
Defined contribution claims calculation
Contributions processing on Phoenix
Tax calculations and applications on the benefit
IRP 5, IT3a and IT3 b tax certificates
Drafting letters requesting outstanding documents
Payment letters
Deceased estates
Dealing with trustee queries
Evaluating documentation received to prevent fraud
Section 14 transfers
Deceased's estates paying
Drafting reports to be finalized by the board of trustees
Acquiring guardianship information for minor beneficiaries
Paying death claims for permanent disability members
Investigating the applicant’s dependency on the deceased
Referring disputed beneficiaries for DNA testing
Conducting family interviews in a case where there are disputes