Business Controller (Remote)

Company Description

We are SGS – the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for sustainability, quality and integrity. Our 99,600 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.

Job Description

The Business Controller oversees the accounting and finance operation for the Connectivity & Products line of business for North America. They are responsible for the overall internal financial management, including accounting, budgeting and forecasting, payments and cash management, as well as the development or adherence to the country/regional policies and procedures. In addition, the Business Controller is expected to assist operations by partnering with the business including capital investments, pricing, net working capital management, and various business plans/initiatives to improve the business financial performance.

• Responsible for development, analysis, and interpretation of statistical and accounting information in order to appraise operating results in terms of profitability, performance against budget, and other matters bearing on the fiscal soundness and operating effectiveness of the organization.
• Manages the financial team within the business and hires, trains, coaches employees, conducts annual performance review and motivates the team to achieve set goals.
• Establishes major economic objectives and policies for the company and its branches and departments and prepares reports that outline the company's financial position in the areas of income, expenses, and earnings based on past, present, and future operations.
• Coordinates and directs the business in preparation of the budget and financial forecasts, institutes and maintains other planning and control procedures (including the cost accounting system), perform inventory of fixed assets and supplies, and analyzes and reports variances
• Delivers quality NAM Finance requirements timely. This includes monthly closing, budgeting and forecasting, and other analytics required by the Region
• Provides effective financial controls for the organization following the guidelines provided by the Country Controller/Regional Controller.
• Reconciles and maintains account analysis of various company accounts, i.e. claims, bad debts, and submits all analysis timely to the Country Controller/Regional Controller in accordance with the submission/required guidelines.
• Recommends benchmarks for measuring the operating performance of divisions and departments.
• Manages the preparation of the monthly results and monitors and analyzes these results against budget, prior year, forecast, as well as explain fluctuations month to month.
• Prepares financial analysis for contract negotiations and product investment decisions.
• Prepares and maintains documentation to meet internal and external audit requirements.
• Provides information for capital investment justification, analysis and write-up.
• Coordinates timely receipt (monthly) of sales billings, vendor invoices and accruals with the field.
• Coordinates completeness of payroll recording and accrual with the field.
• Assists operations in completing requirements for various sub-ledger activities.
• Communicates with business unit on a regular basis.
• Assists in development of and compliance with company policy and procedures.
• Performs various financial maintenance activities (i.e. bank reconciliations, etc.)
• Performs additional special projects (i.e. including acquisitions, integrations, etc.)

Qualifications

Education and Experience

Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting/Finance
• 10+ years of relevant finance and accounting experience, including 3+ years supervisory experience
• Experience in financial/KPI monitoring, with the ability to explain variance to target and implement ‘early warning’ indicator for adverse trends
• Demonstrated background in financial reporting and intimate understanding of GAAP, including a proven track record of supervising day-to-day accounting operations and cash management

Preferred:

• Master’s Degree in Accounting in combination with experience listed above
• Controller experience
• Experience with M&A transactions and purchase Accounting

Licenses and Certifications

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

Knowledge/ Skills/ Abilities

• Language Skills: English – Advanced level proficiency
• Mathematical Skills: Advanced level proficiency
• Reasoning Skills/Abilities: Advanced level
• Knowledge of IAS (International Accounting Standards) reporting
• Strong business acumen/bu