Senior Manager Finance Global Process Owner (GPO)

IEEE•Piscataway, NJ

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Manager - Global Process Owner (GPO) is a key enabler of successful transformation for accounting end-to-end processes. The GPO will own the strategic decisions for driving end-to-end improvement and standardization for general accounting processes across different functions, business units and geographies. The Sr. Manager, GPO holds the keys to process performance—driving strategic decisions that reduce error rates, strengthen controls, and implement cutting-edge technology solutions. Success means moving the needle on global efficiency while aligning diverse stakeholders across multiple regions. The Senior Manager - Global Process Owner (GPO) is an strategic problem-solver who can navigate complex organizational change and translate high-level vision into flawless execution.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in accounting required
7-10 years progressive accounting experience, with at least 4 years in a supervisory or leadership role
7-10 years implemented technology-enabled solutions to support process improvements.
7-10 years demonstrable experience in driving efficiency, enhancing processes, and strengthening policies at a strategic level, ensuring that operational practices are robust and future-proof.
7-10 years demonstrated flexibility to adapt to changing business needs and priorities.
Experience with identifying and improving accounting processes through standardization, automation, and centralization.
7-10 years Proven history of driving cost avoidance, cost reduction and value engineering initiatives that align with functional goals.
7-10 years Developed and communicated comprehensive process strategies, securing buy-in from cross-functional internal teams and external partners.
Strategic thinking and planning: Ability to effectively prioritize process enhancements in sync with enterprise goals, foreseeing business model evolution and enabling complementary initiatives.
Problem solving and analytics: Expertise in analyzing complex issues, identifying solutions and implementing innovative changes using technology and industry best practices to drive improvement.
Process design and improvement: Able to quickly gain an expert understanding of process performance, controls and customer needs to inform improvements. Ability to collaboratively work with various solution teams to execute changes using process management methodologies and best practices (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma, Agile)
Relationship building and communication: Exceptional interpersonal and collaboration skills to be proactive in building strong relationships (including senior stakeholders) and influencing change across the organization.
Change management expertise: Able to evaluate organizational capacity for change, design tailored strategies and collaborate with stakeholders and service delivery teams to facilitate seamless implementation.
Technical accounting mastery: Deep, demonstrable expertise in U.S. GAAP standards and financial reporting requirements, including complex areas such as revenue recognition (ASC 606) and lease accounting (ASC 842)
Technology and data proficiency: Proficiency with financial management software (e.g., Oracle, SAP, Concur, etc.), advanced Microsoft Excel (vLookups, Pivot Tables, Power Query), and Business Intelligence (BI) tools.
Leadership and people management: Ability to manage and mentor accounting staff, provide real-time coaching, and effectively communicate complex financial findings to non-finance executives and cross-functional teams.

Nice To Haves

CPA or CMA certification strongly preferred
Advanced certifications in process management (e.g., Lean Six Sigma or Business Process Model and Notation) is desired.

Responsibilities

Define what constitutes process excellence (e.g., the goals for the process) and design a standard and improved process that meets those goals.
Develop, prioritize, maintain, and evolve a finance process improvement roadmap that leverages hyper automation, AI/ML, and digital solutions to improve the process.
Build and maintain an expert understanding of the end-to-end accounting processes, including the standards, variations, pain points, technologies, and control environment.
Monitor emerging finance technologies, industry trends and leading practices to recommend innovative approaches and tools for service delivery, improvement, and transformation.
Stay informed about cloud-based solutions, focusing on their potential to elevate process excellence, and explore how they can enhance capabilities beyond existing ERP and point solutions.
Ensure that global accounting processes comply with relevant financial regulations and standards, and support financial policy.
Collaborate with IT and various other solution teams (e.g., Financial Systems and Solutions) to implement automation, digital solutions, and technology-enabled enhancements to your process.
Develop and maintain adequate financial accounting process documentation, including policies, procedures, and training. Ensure the documentation is accessible across service delivery teams (e.g., BFS, FP&A, etc.).
Conduct periodic financial audits and assessments to ensure policy and process compliance and identify areas for risk mitigation.
Ensure GAAP compliance and financial reporting, including but not limited to, preparing and reviewing financial statements.
Lead technical accounting research and memorandum preparation for complex areas, including revenue recognition (ASC 606), lease accounting (ASC 842), business combinations, and other nonroutine matters.
Serve as the owner of internal and external audit relationships, ensuring audit readiness and timely resolution of findings.
Coordinate and manage annual financial statement audits, including pension audits, in collaboration with internal and external auditors; address audit findings and implement corrective actions to strengthen the control environment.
Monitor cash flow, manage fund transfers, and optimize the use of cash reserves using advanced forecasting tools.
Set up new grant awards in the accounting system, including budget structures and reporting calendars.
Monitor grant spending to ensure all costs are allowable, allocable, and reasonable under donor guidelines.
Prepare and submit monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports and reimbursement requests to government and private funders.
Maintain comprehensive electronic and paper files for each grant, serving as the primary record for all financial transactions.
Lead the preparation of grant reporting and related audits, if necessary
Demonstrate familiarity with emerging AI and automation technologies, including Generative AI and Robotic Process Automation (RPA), and their potential applications within accounting workflows.
Interpret AI-driven insights and predictive analytics outputs, translating them into practical, actionable information that supports effective, data-driven decision-making.
Manage, develop, and mentor accounting staff; set annual incentive goals and complete annual performance reviews.
Create and deliver high-quality presentations and financial analysis (e.g., Financial & Discussion Analysis tables, charts, and graphs) for executive meetings.
Identify stakeholder groups and understand stakeholder needs, sentiment and experience related to the process.
Act as a liaison between finance teams, business units and technology teams to drive successful implementation of process enhancements.
Extend process design considerations to all process touchpoints for key external stakeholders (e.g., BFS, FP&A, etc.); build strategic partnerships through prioritized engagement and joint value initiatives.
Establish and track KPIs to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of global accounting processes (e.g., close cycle time, manual journal entries, etc.) and stakeholder/customer satisfaction.
Analyze performance data and metrics to track progress and identify areas for improvement and opportunities for growth.
Lead generation of performance benchmarks for the accounting process, leveraging industry or internal best practices to inform data-driven decisions.
Lead the preparation of accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual consolidated financial statements, ensuring fully integrated balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements.
Oversee the identification, matching, and elimination of intercompany transactions, balances, and unrealized profits to rigorously prevent double-counting.
Record complex consolidation entries, execute intercompany eliminations, and systematically review related-party transactions for accuracy.
Execute FX translations and remeasurements for international subsidiaries while mitigating exchange rate volatility.
Ensure all global accounting practices strictly adhere to US GAAP and IFRS regulations, serving as the primary coordinator with external auditors during year-end reviews.
Standardize global close procedures, design and implement automated workflows, and continuously drive initiatives to shorten the monthly reporting cycle.