Head of Group Accounting

Main Purpose:

Impala is looking for its Head of Group Accounting, located in Madrid, and covering a USD 2 billion asset portfolio over 45 entities across 20 countries.

With its team of c. 20 FTEs across Uruguay and Spain, he will lead the existing global financial process, aiming at more centralisation, process and systems standardisation and controls along with the ongoing ERP migration to Dynamic D365.

The candidate will participate to the company’s transformation, strategic projects and risks management, in a fast growing and international environment and partner with treasury, tax, systems and other finance teams on cross-functional accounting matters.

The candidate will deliver reliable, efficient and consistent financial records across all countries and entities, within the Impala Group.

Key Responsibilities: Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Manage a global team across Uruguay and Spain:

• Manage the SSC Accounting team located in Montevideo (Uruguay), covering global transactional accounting (This covers subledger reconciliations, eliminations and closing controls, up to providing IFRS consolidated and individual statutory financial statements).
• Manage the Madrid team comprising technical accounting and experts.
• Maintain the adequate processes, standard and centralised, basis D365 Dynamics and Oracle FCCS capabilities.

Financial Consolidation

• Lead the monthly, quarterly and annual global financial close processes, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of reporting under IFRS as well as statutory books.
• Ensure the right controls and quality are in place.
• Deliver financial reporting, including dashboards and key performance indicators for senior management.

Statutory Reporting & Compliance

• Ensure alignment with local statutory and regulatory reporting, including electronic filings.
• Review statutory and financial reporting for all jurisdictions and entities.
• Maintain a reconciliation from IFRS to local Gaap, as basis for our Tax department to prepare and file. Special emphasis is needed on local books quality and formalism, as basis for our Tax filing preparation. This also requires issuing accounting memos and technical position papers.
• Maintain intel of local regulations (use external advisors as needed).

Accounting governance, internal controls over the financial process

• Set the necessary internal controls to comply with the country specific reporting requirements including i.a. e-filing and local Gaaps.
• Develop and improve internal controls and accounting policies aligned with IFRS/Local Gaap.
• Support the ongoing migration to Dynamics 365. This covers procedures, systems, and people management.

Business partnering & Financial Advisory

• Act as key coordinator between departments such as Finance, Tax, Treasury, Legal, and other relevant parties.
• Provide analysis and recommendations for strategic decisions i.a. equity, dividends, leverage, FX exposure as well as internal reorganisations.
• Coordinate with external auditors, tax advisors, and regulatory authorities.
• Issue reports, analysis and technical memos to support governance and decision-making processes.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Experience: 

• Master’s degree or equivalent experience in accounting/finance, CPA or equivalent certification
• Proven background in accounting and financial management in an international environment with Project and team management.
• Audit experience is considered an asset.
• Strong experience in country-specific reporting requirements, particularly across LATAM/Central America. Experience with Swiss and Luxembourg holding structures would be considered an advantage.

Ability to demonstrate the following:

• Strong expertise in multiple different country specific accounting principles, standards, and regulations (e.g., GAAP, IFRS).
• Strong communication skills
• Project-management skill
• ERP experience. Knowledge in Microsoft Dynamics F&O D365 and Oracle FCCS is a plus.

Skills, Competencies and Qualifications:

• Team manager
• Strong communicator with the ability to collaborate cross-functionally
• Fluent verbal and written in English and Spanish
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to communicate complex financial concepts.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in work.
• Adapt and cope with changing environments.

Key Relationships:

Reports to the Global Head of Controlling

The candidate will interact with multiple departments, of which, FP&A, M&A, IT, Legal, CoSec, Tax and Finance. The candidate will directly interact with auditors and advisors.

• Internal: Tax, Treasury department, FP&A, IT, Transformation M&A and Senior level management
• External: Auditors, external advisors