Head of Accounting, US

This is what you will do

The Head of Accounting provides strategic and operational leadership for the Company’s accounting organization and is accountable for the integrity of the general ledger, financial reporting, internal control environment, and close governance. The role partners with business and global stakeholders to deliver accurate, timely, and decision-useful financial information; applies sound judgment to complex accounting matters; develops accounting talent; and advances scalable processes, systems, and controls in support of the Company’s objectives.

You’ll be responsible for:

• People Leadership and Talent Development:
  
  • Lead the accounting team in accordance with organizational policies, applicable laws, and the Company’s leadership expectations.
  • Recruit, onboard, coach, and retain high-performing team members; set clear goals and provide timely, constructive feedback.
  • Build team capability through effective delegation, development planning, succession planning, and performance management.
  • Maintain appropriate cross-training, documentation, and coverage to support business continuity and a resilient operating model.
• Accounting Operations, Controls, and Compliance:
  
  • Own the integrity of the general ledger and oversee invoicing, accounts receivable, inventory and cost accounting, fixed assets, intercompany accounting, and other general accounting activities.
  • Govern monthly, quarterly, and year-end close activities and ensure accurate, timely statutory, management, and Group reporting in accordance with IFRS, US GAAP as applicable, and internal policies.
  • Partner with Global Shared Services to ensure accounts payable and other transactions are complete, accurate, timely, and supported by effective service-level management.
  • Establish and maintain an effective internal control environment, including control design, segregation of duties, testing, remediation, documentation, and audit readiness.
  • Coordinate with external tax providers, Group Tax, and the VP, Finance to provide accurate data and support timely income, gross receipts, indirect, and other tax compliance and reporting.
  • Ensure TNMM reporting and calculations are accurate and consistent with Group Tax guidance; implement and maintain product transfer prices in accordance with approved Group Tax policy and intercompany arrangements.
  • Oversee local banking administration, cash management, liquidity reporting, payment governance, signing authorities, and banking controls in alignment with Company treasury policies.
• Financial Reporting, Technical Accounting, and Business Partnership:
  
  • Review account reconciliations, journal entries, estimates, and balance-sheet substantiation; identify risks and ensure timely resolution and escalation.
  • Lead the relationship with external auditors and coordinate timely completion of interim, year-end, statutory, and other audit procedures.
  • Research, conclude on, and document complex technical accounting matters using sound professional judgment.
  • Partner with FP&A and business leaders on variance analysis, accounting implications, assumptions, cash-flow reporting, and balance-sheet forecasting.
  • Translate complex financial matters into clear, practical guidance and constructively challenge stakeholders while maintaining independence and professional skepticism.
• Operational Excellence and Strategic Initiatives:
  
  • Lead process standardization, automation, and continuous improvement to strengthen controls, improve efficiency, and support scale.
  • Provide governance for ERP, consolidation, reporting, master-data, and related financial-system implementations or enhancements, with emphasis on data integrity.
  • Lead or support cross-functional initiatives, acquisitions, divestitures, integrations, and other strategic projects as requested.
  • Participate in corporate committees and provide ad hoc analysis and leadership support as needed.

You will need to have

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience, including significant people-leadership responsibility in a complex organization.
• Strong technical knowledge of IFRS and US GAAP, with demonstrated ability to research and document complex accounting conclusions.
• Demonstrated experience leading close, financial reporting, audit, internal controls, and balance-sheet governance.
• Working knowledge of federal, state, and local tax compliance and the ability to coordinate effectively with tax specialists and external providers.
• Experience with a large ERP, preferably SAP.
• Advanced Excel and financial-analysis skills; proficiency with Word and PowerPoint and comfort using analytics and workflow technologies.
• Strong analytical judgment, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize, resolve root causes, and lead multiple initiatives under tight deadlines.
• Executive-level written and verbal communication, with the ability to explain complex financial matters clearly and influence varied stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to partner across functions and geographies while maintaining objectivity, integrity, appropriate confidentiality, and professional skepticism.

We would prefer for you to have

• CPA or equivalent professional certification.
• Experience in pharmaceuticals, life sciences, manufacturing, or another regulated multinational environment.

Location

Hybrid role based in Cary, NC.