Position Overview
The Lead (Director) of Inventory Accounting & Inventory Control, EMEA is a key finance leadership role reporting to Head of RTR, EMEA, to manage the Accounting and internal controls for Sales, COGS & Inventory for the EMEA region. You will be a key business partner to FP&A, GL, Inventory Management and Retail and Wholesale Planning teams with exposure to the regional leadership team in the region as well as Corporate. In addition, you will coordinate internal and external audits for areas of responsibility, manage US GAAP monthly closes, provide forecast inputs, support preparation of estimates for statutory reporting, coordinate internal and external audits (US GAAP, statutory, SOX Controls).
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
1. Lead the Inventory Accounting & Control, managing a team of 13.
2. Support the Head of RTR, EMEA as a key member of Finance leadership team in the Watford office.
3. Motivate, coach and set targets and objectives for the team, recruit, develop and promote talent
4. Supervise, monitor and review monthly closing activities and internal controls performed by the teams
5. Coordination, preparation and review of the various COGS forecast inputs and reporting schedules (P&L and BS) prepared by the team
6. Partner with FP&A, Inventory Management, and Retail and Wholesale Planning teams to coordinate the preparation and review of the forecast and actualization of the NRV inventory reserve.
7. Oversee Retail Inventory Control team including coordination of all stock takes in stores across the region with external provider and external auditors
8. Manage the monitoring and resolution of inventory discrepancies between systems
9. Key point of contact for external and internal auditors for US GAAP, statutory, SOX controls audits.
10. SOX process owner for all inventory controls; ensure completeness, accuracy and supporting documents are adequate and comply with US GAAP, statutory, SOX requirements and RL policies
11. Partner with General Ledger team to manage US GAAP to Local GAAP adjustments and Statutory financial statements preparation including inputs for key estimates impacting statutory financial statements across all entities (NRV, markdowns, returns, shrinkage, etc.)
12. Manage ad-hoc assignments and special projects as required
13. Support the implementation of new IT solutions and automation
14. Identify and lead process improvements and efficiency enhancement opportunities
Experience, Skills & Knowledge
15. Education Accounting or Finance
16. Substantial proven experience in audit and accounting in dynamic multinational environment
17. CPA / ACCA qualified
18. Previous leadership experience and management of teams
19. Knowledge of internal controls, US GAAP
20. Retail or multi-unit industries experience a plus
21. Proficiency in Excel, SAP a strong asset
22. Solid understanding of inventory sub-ledger and general ledger applications
23. Experience with preparation and audit of statutory financial statements