Job Description Summary
The Country Head is the primary FRA representative to the Country Leadership and is a member of the ANZ Finance and Regional FRA Ops Leadership Teams. Responsible for all respective FRA activities for all Australia & NZ legal entities, while working collaboratively with function leaders as primary point of contact for all FRA matters. Apply IFRS principles in the preparation and analysis of financial statements, ensure effectiveness of controls and high quality of reporting, execute month end closing processes, advise on technical accounting matters and liaise with internal and external auditors. Responsible for various financial services, projects, and may need to design, modify, install, and/or maintain accounting systems to ensure an adequate recognition of financial transactions.
Job Description
Key Requirements:
Own the country trial balance, balance sheet integrity, reconciliations, and resolution of accounting issues to ensure accurate and compliant financial reporting.
Lead month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close activities, including review and approval of financial statements, balance sheet reconciliations, FCRS submissions, and management reporting.
Ensure high-quality internal and external financial reporting, including statutory reporting, government filings, and compliance with IFRS, local regulations, and Novartis Finance Core processes.
Serve as the subject matter expert for technical and complex accounting matters, including significant contracts, accounting assessments, position papers, and emerging business models.
Drive a strong controls and compliance environment through ownership of NFCM, SOX/internal controls, risk assessments, audit remediation, and proactive risk management.
Oversee ESG reporting and governance, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant financial and non-financial disclosures while driving continuous improvements in ESG data quality and processes.
Partner closely with the CFO, NOCCs, Tax, Group FRA, auditors, and business stakeholders to deliver effective accounting, reporting, compliance, and finance support across the organization.
Ensure accurate tax accounting and reporting by supporting statutory financial statement preparation, tax schedules, journal postings, and compliance with direct tax reporting requirements.
Lead finance transformation, process improvement, change management, and implementation of new systems, policies, and regulatory requirements to enhance efficiency, controls, and business outcomes.
Build and lead a high-performing onshore and offshore team by fostering collaboration, developing talent, driving performance, and ensuring exceptional service delivery to internal and external stakeholders.
Essential Requirements:
Qualified Chartered Accountant with 15+ years of progressive experience in financial accounting, reporting, audit, and controllership roles.
Strong technical accounting expertise, including IFRS, financial reporting, statutory compliance, tax requirements, ESG reporting, and complex accounting matters.
Extensive audit and controllership background, including Big 4/Public Accounting experience and a proven track record of maintaining a strong controls and compliance environment.
Demonstrated leadership experience in managing diverse teams and influencing senior stakeholders across a complex, multinational, matrix organization.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to drive change, manage risk, prioritize competing demands, and deliver results in a dynamic environment.
Desirable Requirements:
Degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or Accounting; MBA preferred.
Experience in Shared Service Center/Global Business Services environments and strong knowledge of financial reporting systems, including SAP.
Project Management, Lean, Six Sigma, or Continuous Improvement certifications with experience leading transformation and productivity initiatives.
In-depth knowledge of complex accounting topics such as revenue recognition, inventory, divestitures, acquisitions, and financial process engineering.
Advanced digital and data capabilities, including advanced Excel, Microsoft Office applications, and a curiosity for leveraging AI tools and emerging technologies to improve efficiency and decision-making.
Skills Desired
Compliance SOX, Critical Thinking, Finance Transformation, Financial Accounting, Financial Accounting Analysis, Record To Report (R2R)Skills Required
- Qualified Chartered Accountant
- 15+ years of progressive experience in financial accounting, reporting, audit, and controllership roles
- Strong technical accounting expertise, including IFRS, financial reporting, statutory compliance, tax requirements, ESG reporting, and complex accounting matters
- Extensive audit and controllership background, including Big Four or public accounting experience
- Experience maintaining a strong controls and compliance environment
- Leadership experience managing diverse teams and influencing senior stakeholders in a complex multinational matrix organization
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, stakeholder management, change management, risk management, and prioritization skills
- Degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or Accounting
- MBA
- Shared Service Center or Global Business Services experience
- Knowledge of financial reporting systems, including SAP
- Project Management, Lean, Six Sigma, or Continuous Improvement certification
- Experience leading transformation and productivity initiatives
- Knowledge of revenue recognition, inventory, divestitures, acquisitions, and financial process engineering
- Advanced digital and data capabilities, including advanced Excel and Microsoft Office applications
- Interest in using AI tools and emerging technologies to improve efficiency and decision-making
Novartis Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Novartis and has not been reviewed or approved by Novartis.
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Healthcare Strength — Pay and benefits are described as a strong overall package, supported by medical, dental, and vision insurance alongside FSAs/HSAs and disability and life coverage. Mental-health support is reinforced through an employee assistance program with psychological support and a network of mental health first aiders.
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Retirement Support — Retirement support is positioned as a standout element, with an automatic company contribution plus dollar-for-dollar matching in the 401(k). Additional retirement funding is described through an age-based defined contribution program and access to an employee share purchase plan discount.
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Parental & Family Support — Family-related benefits are framed as robust, including a global minimum of paid parental leave for new parents following birth or adoption. Added supports include domestic partner coverage, dependent-care resources, and benefits such as adoption assistance and child/elder care options.
Novartis Insights
What We Do
Novartis is an innovative medicines company. Every day, working to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people’s lives so that patients, healthcare professionals and societies are empowered in the face of serious disease. Our medicines reach more than 250 million people worldwide.
