Assistant Controller - Senior Manager

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Job Overview: The purpose of this role is to support Controllers in ensuring completeness, integrity, accuracy and compliance of financial records, including a sound internal control environment for assigned entities. The Assistant Controller is the operational bridge between the market and Global Finance CoE accounting teams: coordinating month-end close, preparing balance sheet reviews and flux commentary, supporting audit and addressing complex accounting matters in partnership with the Controller, Global Finance CoE teams, local finance, tax, treasury, transfer pricing, group consolidation and external/internal auditors.

SCOPE

• Supports assigned scope, covering all legal entities within that scope.

• Operates within Global Finance CoE Record-to-Report Operations, with a working (dotted) relationship to the relevant Controller.

• Monitor financial , statutory reporting, internal controls /SOX for assigned scope

ACCOUNTABILITIES (Describe the primary duties and responsibilities of the job.  Include only the essential functions of the job. Approximately 5 – 10 bulleted task statements should be identified).

• Support month-end, quarter-end and year-end close, ensuring timely, complete and accurate general-ledger accounting for assigned entities.

• Prepare the balance sheet review (BSR) for assigned entities, including exception analysis and aged item follow-up, for review and approval by Controller.

• Prepare balance sheet and P&L flux commentary and analysis for assigned entities, and respond to challenge from the Controller and central controlling teams.

• Prepare, review and challenge journal entries, accruals, reconciliations, balance-sheet analyses and account ownership documentation; act as the single point of input for manual journal entries for the assigned scope.

• Contribute to the preparation and professional review of IFRS and local GAAP financial statements, coordinating with Controller, local finance teams and external auditors.

• Coordinate audit preparation and evidence collection for external, internal, SOX and tax audits, including preparation of PBC packs, in close collaboration with local management and specialist teams.

• Execute assigned internal controls and collect control evidence to the methodology and standards set by the central controlling team; control approval remains with the designated control owner.

• Support statutory reporting, management reporting, statistical reporting and tax/compliance requirements for assigned entities.

• Prepare and review accounts receivable and bad-debt provisions, deferred revenue schedules and one-off revenue and AR transactions for Controller approval.

• Ensure proper and timely handling of non-standard accounting matters, including impairments, fixed assets, provisions, legal disputes and bad-debt losses, escalating issues where required.

• Act as the primary liaison between the assigned market and Global Finance CoE teams, triaging and orchestrating resolution of issues across both organisations.

• Partner with FP&A, commercial, supply chain and corporate functions to ensure consistent, reliable financial data and clear issue resolution.

• Ensure compliance with group accounting policies, internal controls, SOX requirements and relevant accounting standards.

• Support implementation of accounting policy changes, financial systems enhancements, control improvements and standardized ways of working.

• Drive process improvement and adoption of automation and AI-enabled controls as part of the finance transformation.

DIMENSIONS AND ASPECTS

Technical/Functional (Line) Expertise (Breadth and depth of knowledge, application and complexity of technical knowledge)

• Strong month-end close, balance sheet review and reconciliation background in an international environment.

• Solid IFRS knowledge with practical awareness of local GAAP differences in the markets supported.

• Practical experience with SAP, Blackline, HFM or equivalent consolidation and reconciliation platforms.

• Ability to interpret and connect operational details across markets, supporting efficient end-to-end process delivery and improvement.

• Experience driving process automation, data-driven decision-making and digital solutions within business processes.

• Adept at delivering clear, concise updates and recommendations to senior stakeholders, facilitating understanding and buy-in at all levels.

Leadership (Vision, strategy and business alignment, people management, communication, influencing others, managing change)

• Builds and maintains strong, collaborative relationships across a highly matrixed environment including Global Finance CoE, local operating companies, regional teams and corporate finance partners.

• Confident engaging with and constructively challenging experienced Controllers and Finance Directors.

• Communicates complex transformation objectives and benefits with clarity and impact to diverse stakeholder groups.

Decision-making and Autonomy (The capacity and authority to make organizational decisions, autonomy in decision-making, complexity of decisions, impact of decisions, problem-solving)

• Operates with a high degree of autonomy in the preparation and execution of assigned activities within an agreed control framework.

• Demonstrates sound judgment in identifying issues requiring escalation, selecting the most appropriate route to prompt and effective resolution.

• Recognises the boundary between preparation and approval, and routes judgement-based decisions to the accountable Controller.

• Applies strong business acumen to understand the broader implications of decisions, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and finance operations.

Interaction (The span and nature of one’s engagement with others when performing one’s job, internal and external relationships)

• Controllers and local finance teams — primary working relationship.

• Global Finance CoE Record-to-Report Operations and central controlling teams.

• Statutory reporting, tax, treasury, transfer pricing and group consolidation teams.

• External and internal auditors.

• FP&A, commercial, supply chain and corporate functions.

Innovation (The required level of scientific knowledge, knowledge sharing, innovation and risk taking)

• Identify opportunities for improvement and efficiency while ensuring business continuity and minimal business disruption.

• Share knowledge and standard practice across the Assistant Controller community so improvements scale beyond a single market.

Complexity (Products managed, mix of businesses, internal and/or external business environment, cultural considerations)

• Challenge the status quo and transform business operations across functions and business areas.

EDUCATION, BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS:  (List the essential and desirable education and competency requirements to perform the primary responsibilities of the job.  Any minimum requirements should be noted.)

Essential

• University degree or equivalent higher education qualification in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration or a related field.

• Fluent English — business level required.

• Professional accounting, audit or finance qualification (ACCA / CIMA / CPA, certified auditor or equivalent) preferred or in progress.

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in controllership, accounting, audit, general ledger / record-to-report or financial controlling.

• Experience preparing or supporting annual financial statements, statutory reporting, audit requests and management reporting.

• Experience working with shared-service centers, Global Capability Centers or cross-border finance teams in a multinational environment.

• Strong communication skills towards leadership and other stakeholders.

Desired

• Experience in pharmaceutical / healthcare or another regulated industry an advantage.

• Deep understanding of core business processes such as financial accounting and reporting, end-to-end processes beyond finance, internal controls / SOX, and SAP or other financial systems.

• Process change and improvement experience.

An additional language relevant to the markets supported is a plus.

Base Salary Range:

The estimated salary range reflects an anticipated range for this position. The actual base salary offered may depend on a variety of factors, including the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.

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