Accounting & External Reporting Manager (Controller) at Mondelez International

You will manage all accounting and external reporting matters for your assigned country. You will also effectively partner with an external auditor to address complex accounting topics and to ensure the timely and accurate reporting of results. In addition, you will work with our Mondelēz International Business Services organization to drive accurate and timely reporting and to ensure proper reconciliations for all accounts in the market. In this role, you will foster a strong connection with the regional team and when appropriate, with the corporate controlling team to ensure full compliance with Mondelēz International’s Accounting and External Reporting (AER) policies and to ensure that we are adopting U.S. GAAP accounting standards in a timely manner. You will also ensure that we comply with all local accounting standards, see to the timely filing of financial statements and of indirect tax returns/payments (e.g. VAT, excise tax, sales tax).

How you will contribute

You will:

• Manage all accounting and external reporting matters for your assigned country, including ensuring accurate and timely U.S. GAAP reporting and the timeliness and integrity of statutory financial reporting, balance sheet reconciliations and KPIs. You will also provide insights into balance sheet movements and cash flow and ensure account reconciliations, intercompany charges, fixed assets, and restructuring are signed off for your assigned country
• Contribute to a strong controls and compliance environment in the country and ensure full compliance with our AER policies. You will act as our primary contact with our external auditor for the country
• Address complex accounting topics in coordination with the Business Unit or Region Controller and ensure timely adoption of all U.S. GAAP Accounting Standards in the country. You will also support the business on policy interpretation for changes in process or M&A activity
• Drive for harmonization, efficiencies and improvements to ways of working on AER processes and systems such as SAP and build a mindset of continuous improvement in the country team
• Build a high-performing Accounting and External Reporting (AER) team (Mondelēz International  employees and actively manage the relationship with Mondelēz International Business Services/third party providers). Recruit and develop talent and drive our AER talent agenda in the country

What you will bring

A desire to drive your future and accelerate your career. You will bring experience and knowledge in:

• TECHNICAL EXPERTISE in accounting and external reporting (AER) including a deep understanding of U.S. GAAP, IFRS, close processes and financial reporting systems. General knowledge in complex technical accounting such as treatment of FX, derivatives, employee compensation and pension plans. Expertise in policy, controls and compliance design including SOX reporting. General knowledge of tax laws and indirect and direct tax
• BUSINESS ACUMEN and understanding of our business and finance beyond the AER scope. Big Four accounting firm experience preferred
• LEADERSHIP SKILLS including proven business partnering and communication skills across a large global, public company. Experience working as a global finance leader managing global, cross-functional and business partner teams to drive timely and accurate results
• GROWTH/DIGITAL MINDSET and the ability to identify strategic opportunities and leverage technology to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness
• INTEGRITY and sound judgement in all decisions and interactions aligned with Mondelēz International values and policies and external regulations

Key Responsibilities:

Responsible for the integrity of the TB for South Africa, Mauritius, SALP and CHI:

• Journal review and approval (as per approval matrix)
• Ensure clean balance sheet and managing the resolution of anomalies identified
• Hold other Finance Partners (e.g. Commercial, ISC, CS&L, Tax) accountable for respective sections of the TB
• Timely analysis of monthly balances per the TB with comments for review by the A&ER Lead   

Coordinate intercompany transactions reporting as they occur for allocated entities (Mauritius, CHI, South Africa, and SALP)

Lead the Month-end, Quarter-end and Year-end close processes by tracking all month end closing activities through SAP and reporting the same in OPAL, FIT and HFM tools:

• Effective coordination of Shared Services teams handling the GL interfaces with other reporting tools 
• Coordinates the monthly P&L reviews with the supervision of the AER Lead/Manager
• Reviews balance sheet accounts for assigned entities and ensures rational of balances before close
• Reviews monthly depreciation and ensures accuracy per Policy guidelines  
• Participates in and performs monthly FICO reconciliations, ensuring minimal unidentified variance
• Ensure timely and accurate HFM reporting in line with Global guidelines and deadlines
• Coordinate the preparation and timely submission of monthly Flash  to the Region
• Rotational ownership of Month/Quarter/Year End deliverables

Manage the financial services accrual process and ensure accuracy of balances for all South Africa and Rest of Africa entities:

• Ensure fees are within the initial budget (i.e. AC) and approvals are in place for unbudgeted services
• Ensure valid accurate monthly accrual as per agreed fees
• Joint review of monthly commentary before submission to the BU AER Lead 

Treasury related tasks, ensuring proper cash flow management (balance of Accounts receivable and Payables)
Ensure the Assets of the business are properly captured and protected (Insurance and Fixed Asset Register)
Ensure accuracy of indirect tax balances for Mauritius, South Africa and Swaziland Entities:

• Ensure monthly reconciliations are done for VAT and WHT balances
• Ensure timely payments of VAT and WHT are done 
• Engage Indirect Tax Consultants (EY) and/or Tax Authorities on differences identified
• Ensure accurate reporting of indirect tax balances

Responsible for the accuracy of the payroll journals posting:

• Ensure effective review of payroll journals received from HR team 
• Ensure timely posting of payroll journals 
• Oversees analysis and review of payroll balances on the balance sheet and inquiries with the HR team
• Work closely with Payroll Team to ensure quick resolution of open items

Actively managing Income Tax related tasks as per the Tax Calendar for all assigned trading entities:

• Coordination and timely submission of information requested to EY or Tax team after internal reviews
• Ensuring preparation of Annual Global View Pack (GVP) by EY for assigned entities (where in scope)
• Preparing  Quarterly Local Roll Forwards as may be required
• Liaise with Tax Manager for effective analysis and reviews or resolution of issues identified
• Timely and accurate submission of the annual International Tax Questionnaire (ITQ)
• Timely escalation of issues

Oversees the South Africa & Rest of Africa audits, functioning as COE, and actively manages those of South Africa and Mauritius 

• Serve as Liaison between business function and PWC/EY
• Tracking of drafting and audit activities against agreed timelines
• Timely escalations of risks to timelines to A&ER Lead where required
• Coordinates the resolution of audit queries and necessary to the adjustments Statutory accounts
• Ensures timely adjustments made to the USGAAP accounts from audit adjustments
• Coordinates the approval and signing of the AFS by the directors before statutory deadlines

Manage Cadbury Botswana, Springer (Namibia) and Cadbury Swaziland reporting processes as the entities progress towards liquidations

Actively participates in the cashflow forecasting process for the SSA BU, including analysis and data provision
Ownership and effective coordination of Shared Services team handling the GL interfaces with OPAL/COPA Reporting interface tools and Monthly FICO reconciliations

Actively managing Tax related tasks as per the Tax Calendar for all assigned entities

• Ensuring Accounting and Tax statutory compliance with timely remittances to authorities as may be required
• Coordinating and timely submission of information requested to EY or Tax team after internal reviews
• Ensuring preparation of Annual Global View Pack (GVP) by EY for assigned entities (where in scope)
• Preparing  Quarterly Local Roll Forwards as may be required
• Liaise with Tax Manager for effective analysis and reviews or resolution of issues identified
• Timely and accurate submission of the annual International Tax Questionnaire (ITQ)
• Timely escalation of issues

Perform monthly balance sheet reconciliation reviews on Blackline tool

• Timely & value adding Finance Manager reviews of allocated accounts with comments
• Ensure timely resolution of issues identified and raised 
• Timely escalation of issues as may be required

Perform monthly balance sheet reviews for Swaziland Entity with comments for appreciation by the SSA A&ER Lead and FD

Act as the first point of contact to resolve all escalated critical reporting issues beyond the capabilities of the remote shared services support partners;

People Management & Leadership related activities

Education, Certifications, Skills & Experience:

• Experience with FMCG/Manufacturing Industry is advantageous
• Strong Background in Audit
• BCom Accounting or Equivalent Qualification
• Minimum 5 Years progressive experience in a similar role