Assistant Controller

Job Description Summary
The Assistant Controller role has direct responsibility for the corporate accounting department activities and to ensure the delivery of accurate, reliable, and on-time statutory reporting of MNA legal entity, subsidiary of Group Bel, based in New-York, NY.  This position plays a key role in defining and elevating local accounting policies and procedures, maintaining accounting records, overseeing SAP infrastructure, assisting with research guidance on technical accounting matters, preparing and executing financial reporting/analysis, overseeing internal controls for HQ and supervising staff. The role will work across organizational boundaries/levels to find solutions for achieving results and hitting deadlines. Acts as the main contact to the external and internal auditors for completion of an efficient audit and provides requested deliverables while timely resolving any accounting discrepancies and/or irregularities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
•    Directs the corporate accounting and reconciliations for traditional topics, including but not limited to financial statutory reporting, intercompany billing, hedges, cash activity, benefits, insurance, and various corporate accruals as well as coordination of related workflows such as accounts receivable, accounts payable, Inventory, fixed assets, trade & promotions, payroll, and leasing.
•    Evaluate accounting, compliance and internal control processes and takes proactive approach to correct deficiencies and mitigate risk.
•    Implement and document consistent financial accounting policies and procedures in accordance with GAAP and IFRS.
•    Corporate Lead for statutory monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes:
o    Oversees SAP transactional activity ensuring appropriate posting to the statutory financial statements while achieving deadlines and compliance requirements.
o    Reviews SAP financial information for system accuracy and resolves any issues.
o    Drives cross-functional alignment and clarity of roles and responsibilities for closing activities and ensures relevant information and reports are issued.
o    Reviews trends and metrics to validate integrity and consistency of statutory results. 
o    Identify and report key factors affecting statutory financial performance results.
o    Ensures all fixed asset transactions are recorded and supported.
o    Reconciles statutory and commercial and industrial management reporting.
o    Delivers monthly working capital and cash flow reporting.
o    Performs or assists on some monthly F&A analysis (on G&A for ex).
o    For centralized activities, this role will interface with the corporate parent (Fromageries Bel  -- Paris, France), as well as sister companies in the US, France and Canada, and assist with our internal control campaign (BelKey) and Internal Audit requests.
•    Manage local banking responsibilities with Accounts Payable Manager
•    Manage mid-year and year-end audits with external auditors, as well as internal audits when they occur.
•    Identify opportunities to streamline processes: engages team in the evaluation of existing processes and related internal controls and make recommendations for improvement ensuring robust and appropriate internal controls.
•    Other duties as assigned by CFO or Corporate Controller

Qualifications and Competencies

Minimum degree and experience required: 

•    Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred in Accounting, Finance, Business, or relating field.  CPA required.
•    7+ years accounting experience with 3+ years in a controlling lead position with management responsibilities. Experience in a consumer product related industry would be a PLUS. 
•    Possesses high credibility, integrity, adaptability and is able to quickly establish rapport and build productive relationships with team members and cross-functional partners.
•    Experience with SAP S4/Hana required, BPC a PLUS. Curiosity for systems and GenAI opportunities to optimize work.
•    Professionalism and excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal).
•    Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment 
•    Exceptionally detailed and organized, with the ability to step back and analyze for anomalies.
•    Prior financial audit experience a plus.

Performance Expectations:
Confidentiality, quality, accuracy, timeliness, reliability, and thoroughness of work performed. Gain the trust and respect of management and coworkers.  Maintain the integrity of confidential business and product information.  Communicate effectively (both written and verbal) and to develop good working relationships with other employees to accomplish company and departmental goals and objectives. Work independently and learn on the job. Ability to multi-task and manage multiple projects at once (with proper prioritization)

Working Conditions:  Work is performed in a hybrid office environment (8-10 days/month in office).  Hours of work will generally be during regular business hours with at least 40 hours a week.  At times there will be some variation in work hours due to special projects, deadlines and other concerns. Availability to work certain national holidays such as July 4th, Labor Day, etc. may be required to align with global accounting and month-end close schedules. Occasional travel may be required.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Acknowledgement:  This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employee assigned to this position.  It does not state or imply that these are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to the job.  The employee may be required to perform other job-related duties as requested by management. All requirements are subject to change over time and to possible modifications to reasonably accommodate individuals with a disability.