As Legal Entity Controller you will be responsible for managing accounting, external audit and tax compliance of the legal entities in Tanzania & Uganda (2 countries, 3 legal entities) and working as the key local FS business partner with the Franchise Leadership team to proactively identify and mitigate strategic and transactional accounting and tax risks.
Additionally, you will be overseeing compliance with US GAAP, IFRS, Company's policies & procedures and/or other local accounting regulations as well as Company accounting policies and be safeguarding the resources of the Company by ensuring compliance with Statutory requirements (no fines/penalties), enforcing internal controls and Company policies, and continuously improving them to ensure smooth operations of the business.
You will be required to travel less than 5% of your time, mainly requiring overnight stays.
Key Responsibilities
Accounting and Reporting
Manage non-financial reporting to headquarters in Atlanta, including impairment surveys, third party guarantee reports, legal reserves, payments to government officials, etc.
Review monthly computation of service fees.
Prepare monthly legal entity Profit and Loss´ (P&Ls) and narratives and quarterly legal entity balance sheets and narratives.
Co-ordinate the External Audit with EY, in terms of completion, review and sign-off of the Annual Financial Statements with Controller, BU Finance Director, Planning and Analysis Manager and external auditors.
Organize legal entity board meetings with input from Franchise Finance Manager and Franchise Legal Counsel including the preparation of board packs and accompanying PowerPoint presentations.
Ensure items highlighted at monthly Balance Sheet Risk and Opportunities meetings are addressed and acted upon within agreed timelines.
Responsible for interacting as needed with other areas, i.e. Accounting Research, Corporate Treasury, Corporate Tax, Controllers Group, etc.
Review Accountant in Charge Memoranda (AICs), Standard Practices and Procedures (SPPs), etc. that impact the Coca-Cola business to ensure that the financial statements are being properly reported.
Tax Planning, Mitigation and Compliance
Proactively work with the BU functions to mitigate all tax risks and support Commercial Finance and Franchise teams in resolving indirect tax issues (excise, customs, VAT, income and PAYE) affecting the system.
Review significant contracts, agreements and business processes for compliance and tax efficiency.
Maintain tax tracker and engage the BU and Atlanta corporate tax department on all tax issues arising and progress in resolving them.
Review of the monthly VAT, deferred tax and corporation tax computations and related journal vouchers for posting into the ledger and prepare/review monthly tax returns and follow up for timely filing with, payment to and reconciliation with Self-Assessment Returns as issued by the respective Revenue Authorities in Tanzania & Uganda.
Approval of monthly/quarterly general ledger (GL) tax account reconciliations.
In liaison with Controller, engage senior tax counsel, external tax advisers and tax authorities and coordinate responses to all tax audits and queries within timelines agreed with or demanded by tax authorities.
Collaborate with Legal and Company secretarial service providers to ensure compliance with Companies' Act and other local/secretarial requirements.
Monthly/periodic review of tax authorities´ statement of accounts for all taxes to ensure payments are correctly allocated and receipt of refunds are confirmed by the revenue authorities.
Proactively manage work assigned to external advisor to ensure that agreed timelines are met, and quality standards are adhered to within the approved budget.
Operational Control and Compliance
Coordinate the quarterly Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) certification process with Franchise Finance Director, Controller, Franchise Legal and Franchise General Manager.
Work with Franchise Finance to ensure proper documentation, communication and implementation of all relevant Company policies and procedures.
Support internal and external audit process conducted by the Corporate Audit Department and EY, respectively.
Role Requirement
University Degree preferably in Finance, Accounting or related and registered qualified professional Accountant (CA, CPA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent).
5-10 years' experience in applied Accounting, preferably gained in a multinational environment.
External Audit experience with Big 4 Audit Companies.
Tax Planning and Compliance.
Strategic Financial Consulting.
Auditing, Risk Management and Internal Controls (e.g. SOX, Segregation of Duties, etc.).
US GAAP, IFRS and local GAAP.
Advanced SAP and Excel skills.
Treasury appreciation.
Analytical skills.
Systems thinking.
Leadership Behaviors
Drive Innovation
Collaborate with System, Customers and Key Stakeholders
Act Like an Owner
Inspire Others
Develop Self and Others
Skills:
Collaborative Leadership; Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems; Troubleshooting; Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP); Customer Service; Microsoft Office; General Ledger (GL); Accounts Payable Process; Communication; Cost Accounting; Process Reviews; Financial Accounting; Preparation of Financial Reports; Microsoft Power Business Intelligence (BI); Tax Legislation; Financial Forecasting