Director, Record to Report (EMEA)

VF Corporation is looking for an exceptional Director, Record to Report (EMEA) to join our company based in Stabio, Switzerland.

Let’s talk about the role!     

In this role you will be responsible for leading the Record to Report (RTR) team, including General Ledger Accounting and Compliance, for the region with responsibility for managing the day-to-day operations for a specific process area:

• Oversee daily, weekly, and monthly accounting tasks and activities ensuring integrity to performance standards and regulations.
• Develop and maintain accounting principles, practices, and procedures to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting.
• Meet tight deadlines and drive a multitude of accounting activities, including general ledger preparation and financial reporting.

In this role, you will be responsible for leading the RTR team, and for managing the operations for a specific process area as well as play a pivotal role on providing financial and strategic feedback on business performance. The Director, Record to Report (EMEA) will govern service delivery performance against targets and manage interaction with internal customers and engage with stakeholders as required, will also be responsible for delivering accounting process improvements that align with the transformation plan.

The Director, Record to Report (EMEA) will also manage statutory reporting preparation for the EMEA Countries in collaboration with external consulting partnering company for all 50 legal entities and manage the SLA with the external parties to make sure all audited statutory financial statements will be prepared in time to satisfy any tax deadlines and requirements.

You will be responsible for management of EMEA Working Capital in coordination with key stakeholders during actual, forecast and budget preparation.

You will coordinate service incidents resolution and work closely with the outsourced provider(s) delivery center lead/s and process area teams, to resolve ongoing performance issues and understand the root cause of the service issues.

You will support the EMEA finance team to cooperate with SLT and Corporate accounting in case of acquisition, merge, or divestiture of businesses. You will manage a team of 5/6 people (still to be defined yet), but that will also include one VAT advisory role and one lease accounting role. The first role will be providing assistance on VAT application on any project VF may enter into as well as coordinate the activity of the third party involved in Indirect tax return and Intrastat. The second role is fundamental to guarantee that all lease accounting US GAAP principle will be respected for this delicate set of accounts. You will be asked to work closely with delivery teams (both retained and outsourced provider), understand root causes of the service issues, but also providing an impartial view.

PRIMARY ACCOUNTABILITIES

1.            Service Delivery

Responsible for overseeing the operational delivery of general ledger accounting, including management of the outsourced provider(s).

Responsible for all the accounts of the general ledgers managed centrally, except for the accounts managed by Management Accounting and Supply Chain Finance, by ensuring that they are accurate, current, and properly reconciled.

Responsible for the preparation and the compliance to local GAAP of the statutory reporting for the main fiscal organizations in EMEA in collaboration with local teams and external partnering company.

Manage the working capital measurements and interact with internal responsible teams to optimize WC level in line with VF strategic approach.

Provide financial and operational support for business organizational changes in case of new business acquisitions or dismissal of existing ones.

Manage the team to prioritize activities, as required, cascading the priorities to outsourced provider and retained team.

Build and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders across several functional areas within the region; establish trust of business functions through quality delivery and drive interactions.

Engagement with internal senior stakeholders within region Finance function and across VF, including global internal controls, enterprise financial reporting, etc.

Build relationships with external audit partners (e.g., PWC) and statutory financial statement preparers (e.g., Deloitte).

Oversee knowledge transfer (either internal or towards outsourced provider) and operationalize and integrate new scope into current operations.

2.            Service Performance Management

Assure vendor alignment with both short- and long-term business initiatives through effective account management, service improvement, service change orders and issue resolution in collaboration with regional Controllership team.

Manage service delivery performance against targets; ensure control and service delivery according to agreed quality and time. Focus on driving operational metrics and KPIs to meet SLAs and Business outcomes.

Accountable for reporting program status, issues, results, and findings to the governance committees. Responsible for partnering across multiple functional areas to recommend improvements because of changes within the organization, such as but not limited to new systems, divestitures, acquisitions, and new brand programs.

Maintain a deep understanding of the vendor contract and the obligations of both parties. Lead changes during forward-looking contract renewals.  Enforce the governance processes and ensure all parties participate as outlined.  

Educate key stakeholders on performance metrics to drive strategic performance.

3.            Governance

Act as 1st point of escalation for processes and accountable for the resolution of service incidents, failures, and ongoing performance issues.

Collaboratively work with vendor in the material creation for monthly, quarterly, and annual governance committee meetings.

Drive process improvement for process re-design, e.g., review all new expansion and transformation opportunities and provide review and recommendations on risks, issues etc.

4.            People/Team Leadership

Responsible for leading, developing, and driving performance for a team of accounting professionals including recruiting, training, rewarding, and coaching team members.

5.            Continuous improvement and transformation

Drive innovation through Initiating ideas and drive structured initiatives to continuously improve team services, leveraging the outsourced provider transformational capabilities.

Partner in process design workshops to shape and challenge the global design for in-scope processes and supports the Global Process Experts in driving the key meetings around continuous improvement.

Work closely with the Team Leads and the delivery teams to review service issues, understand root causes and identify resolution and mitigation activities. Working with representatives across the process team to provide an impartial view and ensure a constructive balance between implementing best practice and process practicalities /exceptions.

Be involved in the transformational activities affecting the accounting organization.

Lead process improvements and change management processes within the regional Controllership; define a roadmap and communicate changes/timelines and work with leadership to plan and implement initiatives.

Skills for Success

The ideal candidate will need to have a deep understanding of and ensure adherence to general and government accounting concepts (US GAAP and Statutory), procedures, and methods (e.g., accrual, obligation, and cost methods). You will be also a secondary point of contact for PWC on the US GAAP and statutory audits.

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and /or abilities required for the individual to be successful in this position.

• Experience: 10 + years of professional related experience with at least 5 years of experience as a manager, with background in RTR
• Languages: Proficient in English spoken as well as written
• Education:   Bachelor’s degree in accounting; Master Degree in Management Engineering, Finance, Accounting or Economics preferred

VF is a global apparel company connecting people to the lifestyles they cherish through our family of iconic brands. At the heart of our journey lies our purpose: We power movements of sustainable and active lifestyles for the betterment of people and our planet. This is our purpose. It’s the reason we come to work every day. Our purpose unites us and leads us to pursue our goals, together. This is our calling. Learn more at vfc.com

What’s in it For You

We’re in the business of unleashing human potential, driven by the ideas, energy and commitment of our people. That’s why we offer comprehensive benefits that encourage mental, physical and financial well-being for all VF associates. When it comes to benefits, we’re the total package.

• A supportive feedback-based culture where respect and integrity guide us in what we do
• An inclusive international environment where people of diverse backgrounds, lifestyles and nationalities love working together
• Be part of an iconic lifestyle brand in a multi brand, multi countries organization
• On site gym offering health and well-being initiatives
• A discount card with 50% on all VF brands
• Break out areas offering complimentary hot drinks

Relocation support may be available to applicants who lives more than 100 km from Stabio.

Free to Be, Inclusion & Diversity 

As a purpose-led, performance driven company, we strive to foster a culture of belonging based on respect, connection, openness and authenticity. We are committed to building and maintaining a workplace that celebrates the diversity of our associates, allowing them to bring their authentic selves to work every day.

As an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, VF is committed to support disadvantaged groups whilst providing equal opportunities for both VF associates and applicants alike.

If you like what you have read and want to join our team then we would like to hear from you!