Director Accounting Services (Global Controller) at Living Goods

The position:

The Director Accounting Services (Global Controller) directs and develops the organizations International accounting principles, practices, procedures, and initiatives. The Director Accounting Services lead all day-to-day accounting operations and oversees the accounting functions in each country of operation ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, and internal policies. Ensures the preparation and analysis of all financial statutory reports to meet the needs of the organizations and comply with all applicable regulations. The Global Controller is expected to have and maintain in-depth, and up to date knowledge and understanding of both US and International accounting principles. Provide advice to management of changes in accounting regulations or practices that may impact operations and reporting. The Global controller will create functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function of accounting. Develop policies and procedures to support the functional infrastructure.

Responsibilities:
Accounting, Reporting and Internal Controls:

• Maintain accounting, statutory financial reporting, financial controls, and information systems to ensure adequate records, appropriate authorizations of transactions, and safeguarding of assets.
• Drive overall ownership and accountability regarding Controller-ship initiatives across the organisation, including key Controller-ship metrics (statutory financial statement filings, statutory audit requirements, account reconciliations, etc.)
• Interpret and implement Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and other standards applicable to LGs operational jurisdictions.
• Compliance focal point for accounting issues.
• Initiate process improvements.
• Coordinate and lead all local and international audit and proper filing of statutory and tax returns.
• Prepare for and manage all external audits and support country specific audits in collaboration with country finance leads.
• Research and resolve technical accounting issues, including consultation with external auditors, and country accounting teams.
• Ensure legal and regulatory compliance with regard to all financial functions across all LG operations and jurisdictions.
• Assume a key role in collaboration with the Financial Analysis and Grant reporting teams in annual planning, budgeting and in monitoring revenue and expenditure against budget.

Treasury:

• Oversee cash flow planning and forecasting, and ensure availability of funds as needed.
• Oversee banking relationships of the US entity ·
• Ensure banking relationships are appropriately maintained at the country level.
• Oversee financial strategies and activities, investments and asset management Leadership Development.

Governance:

• Support the CFO in engaging the Board’s audit and finance committees around issues and trends in financial standards and accounting policies.

Management and Advisory services:

• Provide controller leadership to the rest of the organization and support the countries and operations teams to understand the implications of transactions and other matters by providing expertise and accounting guidance.
• Lead direct and matrix reports in general accounting in support of organizational objectives.
• Leverage strengths of the current accounting and finance team members help to clarify roles and responsibilities and develop and implement training programs in order to maximize and reach best individual and organizational goals.
• Advise management about complex financial accounting and reporting issues and transaction structuring, and current technical accounting developments.
• Manage and support general accounting and financial reporting teams, and interactions with accounting shared service organizations including account reconciliations, closing processes, general ledger & financial systems maintenance, and accounting compliance.
• Maintain an environment of excellence and a “can do” culture that facilitates the success of LG

Skills and Competencies:

• Experience in a complex International NGO with a budget of at least $20million annual budget.
• In-depth knowledge of nonprofit accounting (fund accounting principles), including sophisticated fund and grant accounting, compliance and reporting.
• Broad experience with multiple funding sources, including the US government, other country governments, other bi-and multilateral donors and corporates and foundations.
• Experience with the rules and regulations of multilateral donors.
• Evidence of partnering with executive staff, resulting in the development and implementation of creative financial management strategies.
• Experience streamlining, refining and automating financial processes, including the development of user-friendly tools and training programs, and deploying suitable technology.
• Track record of working with technology leadership to manage critical financial management and reporting systems.
• Mission-driven, articulate professional with substantial finance and administrative management experience.
• Keen analytical, organization and problem-solving skills which support and enable sound decision-making.
• Proven strength in building and sustaining supportive relationships and persuasively communicating institutional goals and needs.
• Experience working in or with Africa.
• Strong human resource management experience; ability to supervise, mentor and engage staff members and inspire credibility, confidence and build consensus.
• Technology savvy and specific knowledge of accounting and reporting software.
• Demonstrated capacity to think strategically with expertise in complex problem solving, decision making and critical thinking skills, displays good judgment.
• Advanced Excel skills.

Education and Experience:

• Minimum Degree in Accounting or related field; Post graduate or Masters preferred.
• At least 10 years relevant experience. Management experience of at least 5 years gained in a complex international NGO.
• Professional certification - CPA, CA, ACCA or equivalent required.