Finance Operations Accountant at Syngenta

Role purpose

• To secure a solid bedrock for finance activities in the country
• Expected to deliver quality result in fast changing business environment
• Deliver high quality set of accounting data to facilitate group, statutory and tax reporting
• Manage local Finance activities and coordinate Finance services with European Finance Operation centre (EFO) and outside service provider
• Coordinate compliance processes in country
• Protect Syngenta assets in country
• Represent Syngenta towards external auditors (together with CFL
• Support the finance intergration activities 
• Ensure complience with Companies Act and other other laws relating to legal  entity merger
• Ensure integrity of the countries compliance program with corporate and local policies and procedures
• Continuously monitor emerging internal control risks and update existing controls and processes to respond to these risks
• Detect and report to appropriate Syngenta management any violation or deviation from standards and practices including the code of conduct, laws and other misconduct

Accountabilities 

• Lead the accounting operations process, which include: Fixed assets, Payables, Accounts receivables and Transactions proccessiong on ERP system, payment
• Prepare and analyze Ledger Accounting, Statutory Accounting and Reporting and Tax Reporting and collaborate effectively with both Business Facing Finance and outsourcing company 
• Prepare and Reocrd relevant journal entries in local entity books
• Uses best practices and knowledge to improve processes/services 
• May direct and check work of more junior team members.
• Timely delivery of relevant management reports and /or services to ensure accurate recording of all business transactions in ERP system according to the IFRS rules for group reporting and local GAAP rules for statutory reporting.
• Support continuous improvement and efficiency in relevant processes and Service Excellence
• Expected to deliver quality result in fast changing business environment
• Active involvement in month end closing and year end processes
• Active communication with other departments
• Cooperation and collaboration with auditors (internal & external)
• Building and maintaining strong relationship with stakeholders
• Reconciling balance sheet ledgers to sub-ledgers on AP/AR/GL and clearing accounts
• Ensure the Basic controls are performed on a timely manner
• Support the finance intergration activition and ensure activities are completed in a timely manner
• Prepare necessary calculation required for legal entity intergration and ensure transaction are appropriately recorded 
• Support the preparation of statutory, tax reports, returns in accordance with local GAAP, Tax regulations and Group standards.
• Ensure all company records are up to date in accordance with Companies Act
• Manage timely feedback according to Syngenta standard on finance personel, 3rd party provider and European Finance Operation Team. 
• Build and maintain trust inside the company (HQ, territory, country teams) showing ethical considerations and Syngenta values are reflected in company activities.

Qualifications, experience, knowledge and skills

• BCom in Accounting or equivalent qualification
• Minimum 2 years working experience in Finance, Tax, Audit or Compliance 
• Evidence of independency in work, ability to set objectives, deadlines and meet these.
• Experience in working with multiply teams and 3rd party providers
• Process management and compliance knowledge within a complex, matrix organization and across different functions.
• Experience with ERP / SAP/  in decentralised environment desired
• Good understanding of practical issues and trade-offs faced at country level, while still be able to communicate need to adhere to global standards and principles
• Ability to work in a fast changing environment 
• Good understanding of local Generally Accepted Accounting Policies
• Good Understanding of International Financial Reporting Standards 
• Good Understanding of Companies Act 
• Good understanding of business end to end processes and internal controls 
• Good knowledge of tax regulations
• Good working knowledge of IFRS (and local Generally Accepted Accounting Principles)
• Knowledge of relevant Syngenta policies and procedures (eg Reporting, capital process, Group Treasury policies, transfer pricing manual etc).
• Good understanding of internal control framework & SOX 404
• Strong communication and relation with key stakeholders 
• Ability to think globally but to work effectively on local level by considering different cultures and ways of working
• Promote continuous improvement mind-set and service mind-set within the team
• Credible with local senior management and comfortable with expressing her views or putting alternate point of view in a constructive way.
• Strong controls and compliance focus
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• The ability to maintain independence, autonomy and confidentiality
• Ability to work in virtual, multinational and cross functional teams
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment
• Strong accounting, analytical, and research skills
• Strong planning and execution skills