Chief Accountant

GENERAL ACCOUNTING

• Guarantees 100% compliance with all relevant local legislation (e.g. statutory accounting standards, tax law, civil law) and internal group accounting guidelines.
• Ensures that the accounting is correct, transparent (within the organisation and towards HQ) and complete (including appropriate accruals/deferrals). The financial statements must present a true and fair view of the financial position, financial performance and cash flows of the reported period.
• Assures timely submission of accurate financial information to all stakeholders (e.g. tax authorities, other local authorities).
• Assists the Finance Manager in pro-actively managing the year end audit process and the external auditors to secure clean Early Warning Memorandums and clean Management Letters strictly avoiding an “Emphasis of Matter” or a “Qualified Opinion”. 
• While maintaining quality, continuously drives efficiency by streamlining processes (within Accounting and beyond Accounting) and the use of available tools.
• Ensures that the accounting operations are fully integrated from a process, systems and control perspective.
• Supports the Finance Manager in establishing an effective tax management in cooperation with the tax specialists in HQ and external tax advisors.
• Supervises bookeeping.
• Support budgeting and strategic planning through financial scenario analysis.

TREASURY

• Oversee the company’s cash management, ensuring sufficient liquidity to meet operational and strategic needs. 
• Optimize working capital
• Support financial planning and forecasting
• Oversee foreign exchange 
• Ensure compliance with treasury policies, internal controls and regulatory requirements.
• Prepare and present treasury reports to senior management and HQ, including cash position, funding needs and risk exposure.

PERIOD CLOSING

• Coordinate the accounting month-end closing process
• Ensure timely and accurate close (deadlines, checklists)
• Prepare closing reports and commentary
• Drive process improvements anD automation

TAX

• Ensure accurate tax accounting (current & deferred tax)
• Coordinate tax filings with advisors
• Manage tax audits and inspections
• Monitor tax risks and exposures
• Align accounting treatment with tax requirements

PEOPLE MANAGEMENT

• Builds a team of highly engaged and motivated people.
• Develops and regularly updates the job descriptions for all accounting staff.
• Ensures that sufficient resources are in place and each position is held by a person with the appropriate qualification.
• Agrees on annual objectives and links variable pay to the achievement levels.
• Holds bi-annual performance reviews giving clear, honest and fair feedback.
• Promotes development, internal trainings to elevate knowledge levels within the team.
• Assures that all key processes are documented in writing and that checklists are being used.

Minimum of 5 years in similar positions within multinational corporations. 

Vast knowledge of all local tax regulations, local GAAP and IFRS. 

Strong leadership skills/strong leadership track record. 

Capable of communicating precisely, effectively and convincingly based on facts with internal and external stakeholders. 

IT literate and SAP knowledge. 

A structured and well-organised individual. 

Must be self-motivated, self-directed and be able to work under pressure in a fast paced team environment.