Director Accounting Principles

Location

Herzogenaurach | Germany

Job description

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization:

Responsible for driving compliance with global policies and standards [Global Policy Manual (GPM), Group Finance Manual (GFM)] and Internal Controls over Financial Reporting (ICoFR) best practices. Act as a Center of Excellence for International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and ICoFR vis-à-vis the entire adidas organization and internal/external auditors to ensure adherence and consistent implementation of global policies (with focus on GFM) and ICoFR. Advocate the adidas’ view while negotiating with the external audit firm.

Key Responsibilities:

• Independently manage and be responsible that global policies and standards [with a focus on Global Finance & GBS (incl. GFM)] are state-of-the-art, properly communicated and trained by the following:
  • Drive the global internal communication and training of existing/new/updated global policies to ensure that they are understood and complied with (in collaboration with the responsible Corporate Function);
  • Be responsible for and drive the update, communication and training of individual GFM policies that are in the responsibility of the Accounting Principles team;
  • Coordinate and liaise with the individual policy owners of the GFM regarding policy updates, communication and training in their area of responsibility;
  • Develop new global accounting policies as needed when gaps are identified in the policy environment.

• Take over business ownership and support the Global Internal Control Team by acting as a business partner in the continuous improvement of the ICoFR framework by the following:
  • Continuously improve and challenge the status quo of processes/risk-control-matrices together with the Global Internal Controls function;
  • Analyzing control gaps and weaknesses, e.g. as a result of changed requirements due to new business models and reporting standards;
  • Act as a sparring partner for peer functions (e.g. Internal Controls, GBS, Consolidated Accounting) regarding ICoFR topics

• Act as a Center of Excellence and provide comprehensive expertise and support for any kind of accounting topics and policies related issues to Senior Management in finance and their teams worldwide (Corporate Internal Audit, Investor Relations, Corporate Treasury, Corporate Tax, GBS, controlling and accounting on Market, Subsidiary and Corporate Functions level);
• Independently manage and coordinate the half-yearly global representation letter process;
• Independently manage and coordinate the timely and accurate preparation of selected notes to the consolidated financial statements;
• Advocate the adidas’ view while negotiating with the external Group Audit Managers and Partners on critical and complex accounting issues, new and/or updated/improved global accounting policies as well as topics relating to the notes to the consolidated financial statements and other accounting matters;
• Independently manage the global IFRS external audit scope/audit fee budget process and the monitoring of the global non-audit services performed by the external auditors in accordance with EU requirements (incl. the respective IT tool);
• Lead and manage internal projects of relevance for the entire adidas organization (e.g. implementation of new and revised IFRS) and be involved as a major player in cross functional projects including analysis of effects on adidas’ KPIs/financials as well as systems and processes, change management and training of stakeholders worldwide;
• Lead and develop team members by setting priorities and performance objectives, providing feedback and implementing an individual training plan.

Authorities:

• Veto on accounting methods and GFM policies not compliant with IFRS and ICS principles

Key Relationships:

• Senior Management and peers of other Corporate Functions at HQ - not limited to Finance
• Senior Management of Markets/Clusters/Subsidiaries (e.g. Market FDs / local FDs)
• Senior Management and peers of other Corporate Functions (e.g. Risk Management, Compliance Management, Internal Audit, Tax, Treasury)
• External Group Audit Managers and Partners

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent and up-to-date knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
• Strong and up-to-date knowledge of Internal Control Systems (in particular with focus on Internal Controls over Financial Reporting)
• Comprehensive understanding of global and local business, processes (incl. risks / controls) and structures
• Strong analytical, organizational, project management and time management skills
• Strong interpersonal, presentation and communication skills for influencing others, internally and externally
• Strong people management skills, i.e. ability to coach, guide, manage and develop a team
• Well-developed computer skills (MS-Office), ideally experienced in SAP S/4HANA or other consolidation software
• Fluent in English and intermediate German level (written and spoken)
• Open-minded and interested in personal training and development in the accounting area

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications:

• Degree in Business Administration from a university or comparable institution with focus on Finance / Audit
• Job-Experience (at least 10 years) in External Audit, Internal Audit, Corporate Governance, Corporate Accounting/Controlling in an international corporation with complex organizational and system structures
• Preferably CPA exam

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