Accounting Project Director

Job Overview

The Accounting Project Director will lead and oversee complex accounting projects within the organization, ensuring alignment with both US GAAP and IFRS standards. This role is essential for driving accounting strategy, executing key projects, and ensuring accurate financial reporting across the organization. The ideal candidate will have a strong track record in managing cross-functional teams, leading project management initiatives, and ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks, while collaborating with internal and external stakeholders, including auditors. The successful candidate will demonstrate exceptional leadership, problem-solving skills, and a strategic vision that supports the company’s corporate goals.

Key Job Responsibilities

IFRS Transition Leadership & Compliance:

• Lead the organization’s transition from US GAAP to IFRS accounting standards, ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive IFRS implementation plan, including resource allocation, stakeholder engagement, and timeline management.
• Provide expert guidance on complex accounting issues, ensuring a smooth and compliant transition to IFRS across all business units.
• Serve as the key liaison between the company, auditors, and regulatory bodies to manage and resolve IFRS-related inquiries and challenges.
• Identify and proactively manage risks related to the IFRS transition and other accounting projects, developing mitigation strategies to avoid project delays or financial misreporting.
• Resolve complex accounting and project-related challenges, ensuring compliance with standards while maintaining efficient project workflows.

Project Management & Execution:

• Oversee the planning, execution, and successful completion of major accounting projects, particularly those related to IFRS transition and other accounting initiatives.
• Establish detailed project timelines, monitor milestones, and drive team accountability to ensure project deliverables are met on time and within budget.
• Apply project management methodologies to guide cross-functional teams through transitions, ensuring clear communication, risk mitigation, and issue resolution.
• Ensure the alignment of accounting projects with organizational goals, using performance metrics and feedback loops for continuous improvement.

Change Management & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Design and implement change management strategies to facilitate the adoption of new accounting standards and systems across the organization.
• Actively manage communication strategies, ensuring stakeholders understand the impact of the IFRS transition and other accounting changes on business operations.
• Provide leadership in navigating organizational resistance and fostering acceptance of changes among staff and senior management.
• Develop training programs and knowledge-sharing sessions to equip accounting teams and other departments with the necessary skills and information for successful transitions.

Financial Reporting & Audit Coordination:

• Ensure the accurate and timely reporting of financial data in alignment with IFRS standards during and after the transition period.
• Lead coordination efforts with external auditors, ensuring that audit requirements are met, and resolving any compliance or regulatory questions related to IFRS.
• Maintain high standards of financial documentation and internal controls, ensuring consistency across all projects and reporting frameworks.

Cross-Departmental Collaboration & Strategy Alignment:

• Act as a strategic partner to senior management, aligning the goals of accounting projects, particularly the IFRS transition, with the broader organizational objectives.
• Collaborate with finance, IT, and other departments to ensure cohesive and efficient project execution, particularly in systems upgrades or process reengineering related to IFRS.
• Leverage technology and financial systems to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of financial reporting and project management processes.

Leadership & Team Development:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of accounting professionals, promoting high performance and accountability during periods of change and project execution.
• Provide ongoing training and development opportunities focused on IFRS standards and change management practices, ensuring the team remains adaptable and skilled.

Qualifications/Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field. CPA certification preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of 7 years of experience in accounting, with a strong focus on US GAAP, IFRS, and project management.
• Technical Expertise: Proficient knowledge of financial systems (e.g., ERP systems [SAP], data analytics tools) and advanced Excel skills.
• Leadership: Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage large-scale accounting projects.  Proven experience in managing or contributing to projects involving the convergence of US GAAP and IFRS standards is highly desirable. Ability to navigate and integrate both frameworks effectively, ensuring smooth transitions and maintaining compliance across financial reporting processes.
• Attention to Detail: High accuracy in financial reporting, ensuring compliance and thoroughness in complex projects.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information to diverse stakeholders.
• Strategic Vision: Demonstrated ability to align accounting strategies with business goals and anticipate broader business impacts.

Key Attributes:

• Detail-Oriented: Ensures precision in financial reporting and compliance.
• Effective Communicator: Delivers clear, concise messaging tailored to various stakeholders.
• Problem Solver: Navigates challenges and ambiguities effectively, ensuring project success.
• Technologically Proficient: Leverages financial systems to enhance project execution and reporting.
• Leadership: Empowers teams, fosters collaboration, and mentors staff through transitions.

Additional Information