FSC Manager, North America

Purpose of the job

Responsible for the management of Ahlstrom USA Inc., subsidiaries and affiliates in North America financial operations with respect to the following areas: financial reporting, general accounting, financial services (accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash applications), treasury, pension investment and taxation. Responsible for internal control effectiveness and compliance with US GAAP, IFRS and Ahlstrom Group accounting policies for the above areas.

Main responsibility areas

Financial Reporting:

• Member of the Ahlstrom USA board of directors
• Treasury officer of Ahlstrom USA and subsidiaries
• Oversees Ahlstrom USA stand-alone, A-USA Sub-group Consolidation and affiliates
• Oversees Hyperion Financial Management (HFM)
• Reports to A-USA Board – U.S. operations and financials
• U.S. Audit – oversees and coordinates with outside auditors; discusses and resolves audit issues
• Establishes, reviews and maintains adequate systems on internal controls and procedures
• Coordinates monthly closing process, corporate format reporting and reporting of financial results within guidelines of governmental agencies and corporate accounting policies using Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for Group Reporting
• Accounting and Reporting Issues – supports group companies in researching and solving accounting issues related to unusual events

Pension Administration:

• Defined Benefit Plans – oversees accounting and related administration of the three DB Plans and three SERPs (unfunded) Plans
• Defined Contribution Plans – consults with human resources benefits and compensation department on plan design and assets
• Member of the Administrative Committee for all benefits and pension plans

Insurance:

• Supports Group Insurance Administrator
• Updates U.S. reporting of insurance values and other insurance issues as needed
• Manages U.S. insurances and claims
• Negotiates policy renewals and coordinates with broker in coordination with Group Treasury
• U.S. Workers Compensation
• Monitors claims, quarterly calculations and reporting of accruals
• Supports U.S. sites on insurance-related issues

Taxation – Federal & State Income:

• Oversees preparation of tax returns, year-end tax accruals, transfer pricing documentation and other tax compliance work. Oversees and supports U.S. Tax Manager in tax audits
• Supports U.S. Tax Manager and Head of Group Tax in other U.S./international tax matters, which requires excellent understanding of legal structure and taxation
• Oversees preparation of required sales tax returns and payroll tax returns and resolves issues as needed

Treasury:

• Oversees local treasury operations in support and compliance of Group Treasury practices and policies

Financial Service Center (FSC):

• Manages all Financial Service activities relating to Ahlstrom-Munksjo North America as they involve accounts payable, accounts receivable and general ledger accounting activities
• Oversees the payment of accounts payable and ensures compliance with company policies
• Coordinates accounting and tax issues related to expatriate employees
• Leads with strong leadership skills and seniority the two teams in North-America: Windsor Locks and Kaukauna teams, total 21 members

Other:

• Acts as a liaison with Human Resources on issues relating to retiree medical, 401K plans, health insurances and other issues as they arise
• Works with Group Treasury and sites on issues relating to the accounting and administration of business insurances and workers’ compensation insurance
• Participates in and/or oversees systems implementations and business process change management issues
• Manages assigned staff; provides coaching, mentoring and regular feedback to staff; prepares and conducts performance reviews; develops goals and objectives for functional area; regularly evaluates and reports on progress; assists in developing strategic plans; regularly identifies process improvements and implements changes as needed
• Performs other related projects and duties as assigned

Communication

(position’s responsibility for communications both within and outside the organization)

Internally

Communicates with all levels of management; relationships cross corporate and all North American sites, both in accounting and in business topics

Good cooperation with BA:s and understanding their requirements to external accounting and taxation as well as the international understanding of the business and external finance reporting in US and on other continents

Externally

Works in coordination with Group Controlling maintaining the relationship for the North American assigned provider audit interface; interact with various 3rd party financial consultants/specialists and regulatory bodies

Experience And Education

(minimum level of knowledge and skills to fulfill one’s responsibilities)

Work Experience

• Minimum Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting
• At least 10+ years of increasingly progressive accounting experience in general and cost accounting functions in international business environment required
• CPA and/or CMA certification preferred
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and interpersonal skills required with the ability to work with all levels of management
• Previous management experience in the international Group required, experience on conducting a remote team is of advantage
• Strong understanding of IFRS reporting vs. local GAAP
• Ability to write control procedures and work instructions and ability to implement these as well as document the outcome of performed controls
• Experience using Microsoft Office products including Excel and Word required
• Experience using SAP, experience especially in S 4 Hana preferred
• Experience using HFM preferred
• Proven track record on running successfully projects both local and A-M Group driven
• Must have knowledge of Information Security policies and is for his/her own part responsible for ensuring information security when handling information and maintaining or using information systems or information networks.

Formal education

X Bachelor’s degree minimum

Required Competencies

• Acting responsibly and ethically
• Cost, revenue and profitability management
• Financial understanding
• Implementation
• Management Reporting
• Thinking and acting systematically
• Time Management
• Strong leadership skills and diplomatic conduct
• Seniority in problem solving as well on content matters as on HR topics
• Process Development : Utilizes various methods to discover, model, analyze, measure, improve, optimize and automate business processes, etc.
• Work Relationships: Trusts and respects team members and peers. Values and appreciates others input and ideas. Welcomes diversity and celebrates difference. Considers what others have to say and factors their insights into decision-making. Shares credit for accomplishments, ideas and contributions.
• Functional Job Skills: Displays the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities to perform effectively in the role (i.e. meeting customers, gathering information, building relationships, managing time and expectations, concise communication, etc.
• Trust : Seen as individual that is fair, equitable and open to the ideas and opinions of others. Trusted to confidentiality, etc.
• Planning Skills (Foresight) - Assigns priorities to multiple competing and important activities quickly and effectively. Takes timely, strategic actions in designing and leading groups to facilitate their working together effectively. Is planful and prepared and anticipates the impact of problems and effectively deals with roadblocks.
• Change Management - Can proactively lead change in a positive manner. Understands the key tactics for successful change management and how to deploy in an effective manner. Has successfully led several change initiative and achieved desired results.
• Problem Solving/Trouble Shooting – Utilizes consistent & repeatable methods to solve difficult problems and identify effective solutions. Understands the importance of involving stakeholders in the process and is not afraid to pull in additional resources as needed.
• Leadership – Is skilled at blending the needs of the business and the Team to achieve desired results. Can take charge but is equally comfortable in leading group decisions to build engagement and ownership.

Ability to work additional hours during the week, on weekends, or outside of regular office hours may be required.

The ability to work in a normal office environment to include: sitting or standing for long periods of time, operating various standard office equipment, carrying paper documents/files, reaching and bending, speaking on the telephone, safely walking through our manufacturing plant, and wearing required personal protection gear (i.e. hearing and foot protection)

Ahlstrom is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal opportunity is a sound and just concept to which we are firmly bound. Ahlstrom will not engage in discrimination against, or harassment of, any person employed or seeking employment with our company based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, non-disqualifying disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law.

About Us.

Ahlstrom is a global leader in combining fibers into sustainable specialty materials. Our purpose is to Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World. Our vision is to be the Preferred Sustainable Specialty Materials Company for all our stakeholders. Our three divisions, Filtration and Life Sciences, Food and Consumer Packaging, and Protective Materials, address global trends with safe and sustainable solutions. Our net sales in 2023 amounted to EUR 3.0 billion and we employ some 7,000 people.

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