Financial Accounting Low Cost Region, Project Director - UPT Division

The Financial Accounting LCR, Project Director is responsible for leading the strategic transition of Finance operations from multiple high-cost regions to low-cost centres in India and Serbia, covering both existing organic businesses and new acquisitions.  This role ensures the seamless migration and integration of financial reporting and accounting activities across six Business Units and acquired entities, maintaining compliance, quality and operational efficiency throughout the process. 

 

Key responsibilities include developing and standardizing financial operating processes and the business control environment across UPT & MAD whilst ensuring strict adherence to US GAAP and local statutory requirements, all supporting SOX documentation and purchase accounting processes during acquisition integration. This position will be based in EMEA.

 

Duties and Responsibilities:

Drive transition to low-cost regions through existing businesses and through due diligence and integration work with newly acquired businesses.  Oversee integration and migration of Financial Reporting with transactional processes and controls.

 

Develop and execute transition plans for financial reporting and accounting functions to migrate tasks to low-cost centres (India, Serbia & Mexico).  Communicate project progress, risks, and mitigation actions. 

 

Standardise financial operating processes, the control environment across all business units and acquired entities and drive process tasks for migration to SSCs:

• bank & cash, FX processing

• accounts payable processes and related accruals and compliance

• prepaid and accrued expenses

• PPE and Intangibles

• Other current & Non-current Assets

• lease accounting

• short-term asset and liability accounting

• long-term asset and liability accounting

• all general ledger activity

• payroll

• indirect taxation (VAT, Sales Tax, Tariffs)

• master data management

• point-in-time revenue recognition and self-testing

• develop standard reconciliation SOX templates and MD&A reporting for financial reporting

• standardise site balance sheets across the group

• support schedules and documentation for internal and external audits, combining for SOX compliance

• manage legal entity reporting with BU Controllers and consolidate where possible, working with Corporate Tax.

• set up KPIs and quality benchmarks to measure efficiency and compliance with standard processes and SLAs

 

Ensure continuity of financial reporting and accounting tasks in co-ordination with the BU Controllers during organisational changes and transitions.  Ensure robust internal controls are maintained throughout transition and integration. 

 

Safeguard internal controls, manage risk, and oversee accurate, timely financial reporting during transition.

 

Ensure strict adherence to US GAAP, IFRS, and local statutory requirements in financial reporting and accounting.

 

Identify and implement process improvements and automation using software, AI, and optimal tools.

 

Standardise reporting approach from transaction execution to Schedule C and create SOPs and SOX process flows.

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:

• Deep understanding of US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) versus local GAAP and their application across legal jurisdictions and a variety of businesses across the Division.

• Expertise in SOX compliance, internal control frameworks and process flow

• Experience in process improvement and implementing best practices in financial operations with particular emphasis on RTR, OTC and PTP (BOM & Non-BOM), Revenue Recognition and process automation.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex financial information to non-financial stakeholders clearly and effectively.

• Strong interpersonal skills to connect across the organization and a proven ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Operations, Finance, Engineering, Sales & Marketing and executive leadership.

• Exceptional analytical abilities with a keen eye for detail

 

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor’s/ Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field is required.

• A minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in finance and accounting roles, with strong experience within manufacturing, sales/ commercial environments and strong transactional processing experience.

• A record of leading financial transition projects and initiatives that result in measurable improvements to financial processes and performance whilst reducing cost.

 

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

• On-time completion of planned transition milestones

• Stakeholder satisfaction (internal BU feedback)

• Validated cost savings/ avoidance and total cost improvements

• Acquisition integration processing cycle time to LCR

 

Additional Details:

• Travel: 50% travel can be expected for this position

• Work Hours: Standard business hours with flexibility to address critical deadlines and meet time zone co-ordination.