Position Overview

The VGCA Accounting Shared Services Centre provides essential back-office accounting functions for General Ledger, Inventory, Accounts Receivable and Affiliates, Accounts Payable, and Fixed Assets for multiple VW group companies including Volkswagen, Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, factory production, and electric vehicle infrastructure.

The Senior Accountant is responsible for the overall integrity and timely preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, as well as additional financial reporting and disclosures as required by the parent company, VW AG.  The Senior Accountant supports the integrity of relevant internal controls by certifying all GL activities are prepared, processed, edited and posted based on proper documentation, timely and efficiently.  The role manages the month-end close process to ensure the accurate and timely posting of general ledger entries and the proper IFRS accounting treatment of all transactions.  This individual works closely with the business, the applicable Controlling groups, as well as Group Accounting to align reporting objectives and assist with streamlining local processes.  This role is also required to work closely and align with the different teams within VGCA Accounting Shared Services and manage any applicable external or internal audit requirements.

This Senior Accountant will act as the liaison between Accounting and the Regional Treasury Centre, which calls for the coordination, implementation, and communication of all Treasury initiatives that impact financial reporting. 

Key Responsibilities

Reporting

• For entities within the scope of this role, responsible for planning and managing the monthly, quarterly and annual financial reporting requirements and processes including financial analysis, validation and submission of financial statements and reports, as well as additional notes & disclosures for financial reporting
• Maintain General Ledger and mapping table configurations and ensures integrity, accuracy and completeness of Financial Statements and Disclosures, as required
• Co-ordinate appropriate and timely responses to special requests for information and reports from VWAG
• Research and analyze IFRS accounting issues, offer sound accounting advice to the business, and prepare thorough IFRS Position Papers for internal use and for external auditors (when required)
• Document all local accounting treatment changes and communicate with VW AG Group Accounting to ensure compliance with Group guidelines
• Review and support Trial Balance review processes, including detailed fluctuation analysis with timely action as required, applying technical accounting and business/operation knowledge to ensure the integrity, accuracy and completeness of all GL accounts
• Responsible for ensuring that the accounting treatment of all accounting transactions are in accordance with IFRS and the VW Accounting Handbook; Assess the impact of upcoming changes in new IFRS standards relevant to area of responsibility. Align processes/systems/people accordingly
• Ensuring timely and accurate reconciliation of assigned GL Accounts, reviewing and approving specific account reconciliations, with prompt follow up and resolution of outstanding items

Treasury

• Responsible for the overall integrity of the transfer of Treasury transactions to the local accounting system for all Group Companies
• Ensure the completeness and accuracy of Treasury & banking activities for all applicable Volkswagen Group companies based on IFRS accounting standards
• Preparation of liquidity forecasting through the analysis of the impact of all transactions in the liquidity calculation. Ownership of and subject matter expert on balance sheet and cash flow activity, structure, process, and roles and responsibilities to ensure effective oversight and internal controls
• Maintain local Treasury general ledger configuration & mapping tables
• Provide FX reporting to controlling teams as needed
• Review of the local Treasury related specific balance sheet accounts to ensure appropriate account analysis, reconciliation and overall integrity of balances each period

Key Responsibilities Continued

Audit

• Supporting successful audits by liaising with external auditors on significant accounting issues for relevant area, and ensuring audit reporting timelines are met
• Maintain appropriate working papers and schedules as required by external auditors, as well as provide thorough explanations, analyses, and responses to audit queries
• Support internal audits as required for relevant entities and business areas

Documentation & Internal Controls

• Facilitate process improvements, potential risks and future strategy by providing guidance and change management for organization
• Develop and maintain documentation of processes, procedures and process maps within ICFR framework and responsible for documenting, implementing and monitoring new, existing and proposed processes as well as preparing detailed desk procedures for all role related tasks.
• Maintain and test internal control documentation (process narratives) as well as desk procedures for all core duties.
• Maintain General Ledger and mapping table configurations and ensures integrity, accuracy and completeness of Financial Statements and Disclosures, as required

Collaboration

• Liaise with Group Accounting in Wolfsburg, Germany and Volkswagen International Finance regarding monthly, quarterly and year-end reporting issues / queries as they arise, technical accounting matters, as well as completion of ad-hoc reporting items
• Communicate and coordinate Regional Treasury Centre initiatives, ensuring proper accounting treatment and accurate financial presentation is maintained
• Support the internal compliance initiatives, including risk assessment, and review of internal controls.
• Co-ordinate with VWAG Group Accounting in the implementation of reporting system upgrades and changes.
• Support all relevant functions within accounting services (such as accounts payable and affiliate accounting); determining how each area’s unique issues impact financial reporting and as special requirements are needed
• Provide backup support to other Senior Accountant functions as required.
• Support systems implementations and required testing requirements

Qualifications

Formal Education

• Bachelor’s Degree- Major in Accounting and/or related discipline 
• Completion or advanced progression towards CPA designation

Experience

• Ex: 3+ years of Accounting and/or finance experience
• Master's Degree/CPA designation is considered an asset

Specialiased Skills, Knowledge, or Certifications

• Intermediate to advanced understanding of MS Suite (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Written, oral and presentation to document, articulate and convey functions and processes
• Analytical skills–ability to dissect complex accounting and financial processes and identify risks and process improvements
• Excellent organizational skills
• Works well under daily and monthly deadlines
• Ability to respond qucickly to a changing environment
• Team player and customer focused
• Strong business acument–understanding of large complex organizations and ability to interact with all levelsof an organization
• Assets:
  • Working knowledge of SAP
  • Treasury accounting experience

Work Flexibility:

• This position is Hybrid, requiring a minimum of 3+ days in office 
• Availability for 5% travel, as per business requirements