Accounting Controller Finance Manager at AkzoNobel

Job Description

About AkzoNobel

Since 1792, we’ve been supplying the innovative paints and coatings that help to color people’s lives and protect what matters most. Our world class portfolio of brands – including Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon – is trusted by customers around the globe. We’re active in more than 150 countries and use our expertise to sustain and enhance the fabric of everyday life. Because we believe every surface is an opportunity. It’s what you’d expect from a pioneering and long-established paints company that’s dedicated to providing sustainable solutions and preserving the best of what we have today – while creating an even better tomorrow. Let’s paint the future together.

For more information please visit www.akzonobel.com

Job Purpose

The Accounting Controller is a local finance leader who is the linking pin within the operational model (liaising with all relevant stakeholders: Commercial and ISC navigators, FP&A, RAC, ACD and beyond) to meet the AN and operational goals for retained RTR, Finance and AN as a whole locally

The local accounting controller role has a pivotal role to ensure consistent high quality and timely group / business and statutory reporting for a set of relevant legal entity entities.

The local accounting controller comprises of 6 distinct areas of Accountability / Responsibility for the region:

RTR process ownership and manage interactions with other processes and stakeholders
Owning legal and reporting entities as will be assigned
Accounting Leadership
Business partnering for all relevant accounting activities to relevant stakeholders
Specific (BU / Region and / or) local accountabilities / responsibilities

Key Accountabilities

Responsible for IFRS specific accounting areas in the region (e.g. inventory, intercompany, treasury, GL, legal, legacy, fixed assets and pension accounting)
Responsible for the accounting (AR,AP,GL) for of local legal entity.
Translates IFRS/webFEM policy to MIAC administration and Local GAAP
Advices on complex matters or questions related to the IFRS subject
Support and execute in an accurate and timely way the required ongoing, monthly, quarterly, and annual IFRS / accounting related activities for the entities in the region
Identify opportunities to improve and automate processes and controls and drive continuous improvement
Inter Company Accounting (report/review and solve IC mismatches)
Analyze Balance Sheet (BS), Profit & Loss (P&L) figures and variances
Review and potentially adjust reports (A-Forms) in HFM
Assure that month end closing deadlines are met
Focus on Balance Sheet and P&L for (group of) LEs (company codes), execute high level review and answer specific expertise questions during month and month-end closing
Translates IFRS/webFEM policy to MIAC administration and Local GAAP
Makes sure governance structure is applied; monitor adherence to internal control requirements
Daily interaction with local and regional team
Advise on complex matters or questions related to the IFRS subject
Drive standardization across BUs in the region and guards the integrity and quality of the delivered accounting in the specific accounting area
Contribute to projects that require IFRS expertise and have an impact on accounting (e.g. SAP rollout, integration of legal entities,FFF)
Responsible for serving as an expert for the accounting treatment in the Country towards other stakeholders such as the BAs / BUs and global functions
Provides support to treasury with respect to banks, facilities, loan, dividends accounting and cash flow forecasts
Focal point for all accounting matters within the Country towards global functions
Liaison with local authorities and internal / external auditors
Manage and coordinate IFRS and local GAAP specialists and tax in the Country
Prepare Consolidated group statutory and legal entity statements for sign off
Align continuous improvement projects where required

Role Requirements & Experience

Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA or CIMA) and registered with ZICA
2+ years of experiences in accounting with specific deep expertise in IFRS areas, and capable of analyzing complex processes and issues (2nd or 3rd accounting job)
Good understanding on the direct and indirect taxes, VAT, withholding taxes, tax declarations, statistical reporting to the tax authorities etc.
Able to plan, coordinate and assign IFRS work to analysts (in accordance with operations teamlead)
Good knowledge of accounting in ERP systems, ACCPAC / SAP, and consolidation systems preferably HFM
Preferably having working experience in one or multiple business units / SMUs
Drive standardization across BUs in the region and guards the integrity and quality of the delivered accounting in the specific area
Excellent communication skills
Ability to work and delegate work (in accordance with operations teamlead) under severe time pressure during month-end closures and continuously retain ‘an eye’ for the details
Excellent knowledge in Excel
Full professional proficiency in English

At AkzoNobel we are highly committed to ensuring an inclusive and respectful workplace where all employees can be their best self. We strive to embrace diversity in a context of tolerance. Our talent acquisition process plays an integral part in this journey, as setting the foundations for a diverse environment. For this reason we train and educate on the implications of our Unconscious Bias in order for our TA and hiring managers to be mindful of them and take corrective actions when applicable. In our organization, all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age or disability.