The Senior Accountant will be responsible for performing and managing the accounting activities for the Brazil operations, ensuring accurate, complete, and timely financial records and compliance with applicable accounting, tax, and legal requirements, as well as company policies and procedures.
This role will have end-to-end responsibility for the accounting cycle, including daily accounting transactions, monthly and year-end closing, journal entries, provisions, account reconciliations, financial reporting, fixed assets, tax accounting, payroll accounting, and statutory obligations.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
General Accounting:
- Perform and manage the complete accounting cycle for the Brazil operations.
- Perform and manage monthly and year-end accounting closing processes, ensuring all activities are completed accurately and within established deadlines.
- Prepare and post journal entries, accruals, provisions, reclassifications, and other accounting transactions.
- Perform monthly account reconciliations and investigate and resolve discrepancies.
- Maintain the general ledger and ensure the accuracy and completeness of accounting records.
- Prepare and analyze balance sheet and income statement accounts, identifying significant variances against budget, forecast, and prior periods.
- Prepare financial statements and management accounting reports for Finance leadership and internal stakeholders.
- Record and control expenses, service invoices, material invoices, and other financial transactions.
- Manage fixed asset accounting, including acquisitions, depreciation, transfers, impairment, and disposals.
- Ensure all accounting transactions are properly supported and recorded in accordance with Brazilian accounting standards, applicable regulations, and company policies.
- Identify accounting issues and determine appropriate accounting treatments, escalating complex matters when necessary.
Accounting Reporting & Analysis:
- Prepare monthly accounting reports and supporting schedules.
- Perform account analysis and investigate significant variances and discrepancies.
- Provide explanations and supporting documentation for monthly accounting results.
- Ensure the accuracy, consistency, and integrity of accounting information reported internally.
- Provide accounting information required for budgeting, forecasting, and other financial processes
Tax & Statutory Compliance:
- Perform and manage the accounting and tax-related processes for the Brazil operations.
- Calculate, record, and reconcile applicable taxes and withholdings.
- Ensure timely and accurate compliance with federal, state, and municipal tax obligations.
- Prepare, review, and submit applicable tax and accounting ancillary obligations.
- Maintain accurate tax accounting records and reconciliations.
- Monitor changes in Brazilian tax and accounting legislation and assess their impact on the company’s operations.
- Work with external tax advisors and service providers on tax compliance, assessments, and technical matters.
- Ensure tax-related accounting entries and provisions are accurately recorded.
Payroll and HR Processes:
- Perform and review the accounting treatment of payroll, benefits, bonuses, provisions, taxes, and other employee-related liabilities.
- Reconcile payroll-related accounts and ensure discrepancies are identified and resolved.
- Coordinate with HR and payroll providers to ensure payroll information is accurately reflected in the accounting records.
- Ensure the appropriate accounting treatment of employee hires, terminations, benefits, and other employee-related transactions.
Systems & Process Improvement:
- Ensure accurate and timely recording of all financial transactions in Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP.
- Maintain accurate accounting data and supporting documentation within the ERP and other financial systems.
- Identify opportunities to improve accounting processes, controls, reporting, and efficiency.
- Participate in the implementation and optimization of accounting processes and systems.
- Support the standardization and automation of accounting activities where appropriate.
- Develop and maintain accounting-related KPIs and reporting.
- Ensure compliance with Quality, Safety, Occupational Health, and Environmental standards.
CORE COMPETENCIES:
- High level of ownership, accountability, autonomy, and professional integrity.
- Strong technical accounting knowledge and sound professional judgment.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify issues, investigate root causes, and implement practical solutions.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to the accuracy and integrity of financial information.
- Ability to independently manage the complete accounting cycle and multiple priorities simultaneously.
- Strong planning and organizational skills, with the ability to meet strict deadlines.
- Proactive and results-oriented, with a continuous improvement mindset.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to communicate accounting and financial information clearly to both Finance and non-Finance stakeholders.
- Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to work effectively under pressure and adapt to changing priorities and business requirements.
- High level of confidentiality and discretion when handling financial and employee-related information.
SKILLS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting required.
- Experience: Minimum of 10 years experience, with 5 years of progressive accounting experience, with demonstrated experience executing accounting activities in Brazil.
- Accounting Knowledge: Strong knowledge of Brazilian accounting principles, financial reporting, month-end and year-end closing, reconciliations, provisions, accruals, and financial analysis.
- Tax Knowledge: Solid knowledge of Brazilian federal, state, and municipal tax requirements and statutory reporting obligations. Knowledge of IFRS is desirable, particularly experience in a multinational environment.
- ERP: Experience with ERP systems. Microsoft Dynamics 365 is desirable.
- Excel: Intermediate/advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office.
- Government Systems: Experience working with Brazilian government systems and electronic tax/accounting reporting obligations.
- Languages: English
EXPECTATIONS TO BE SUCCESSFUL:
- Complete and accurate accounting records for the Brazil operations.
- Monthly and year-end closing processes completed accurately and within established deadlines.
- Balance sheet and other key accounts reconciled and reviewed on a timely basis.
- Financial statements and management reports delivered accurately and on time.
- Tax calculations, payments, and ancillary obligations completed accurately and within statutory deadlines.
- Accounting transactions, invoices, payroll-related entries, provisions, and accruals processed accurately and on time.
- Accounting discrepancies and financial risks identified proactively and resolved appropriately.
- Audit requests and supporting documentation provided accurately and within established deadlines.
- Strong and effective relationships maintained with Finance leadership, internal stakeholders, auditors, external accounting and tax advisors, and other service providers.
- Accounting processes continuously improved through stronger controls, increased efficiency, and appropriate automation.
- Full compliance with Brazilian accounting, tax, statutory, and corporate requirements.
