Global Head Technical Accounting

The Head Technical Accounting ensures effective oversight and monitoring of adherence to accounting policies, procedures and financial controls are in place to provide the organizational units with high quality, compliant accounting standards advice and documentation, respecting the Novartis Accounting Manual (NAM), IFRS, Swiss, US and other regulatory requirements and Novartis Financial Controls Manual (NFCM).
- The position is the functional leader of the technical accounting team across FRA and for the entire Group, and is responsible to assist the Chief Accounting Officer in the interpretation and implementation of IFRS accounting standards and IFRS and regulatory (i.e. SEC/SIX) reporting requirements.
- Position supports Finance Management to produce high quality external financial statements and management financial reports that comply with NAM/IFRS accounting and disclosure requirements, as well as with the requirements of Management for internal Management reports.

Key Responsibilities:

- Provides technical accounting and reporting guidance and oversight, and monitors accounting for complex transactions, such as M&A, distribution agreements (revenue recognition), Business Development and Licensing transactions, innovative pricing models, factoring in collaboration with the Heads FRA IMI and IM US, and with the CFOs of the Divisions/Units.
- Provides thought leadership in assessing implications of proposed / upcoming changes in accounting and reporting standards, including where appropriate soliciting insights from industry peers, participation in SwissHoldings committees on accounting and reporting matters, and the external auditors.
- Manages requests and recommends revisions relevant to NAM, ensuring the NAM remains up-to-date and aligned to /consistent with IFRS and regulatory reporting requirements (i.e. SEC and SIX) and Novartis accounting principles and guidelines.
- Maintain library of accounting position papers for important transactions, ensuring consistent accounting assessments across same or similar types of transactions.
- Quality assurance over external financial reporting, ensuring compliance with IFRS and regulatory requirements (e.g. SIX and SEC), and as required in collaboration with Novartis corporate lawyers, IR, and external auditors.
- Leads team of technical accounting experts and sets clear objectives and serves as a back-up for direct reports.
- Functional lead of the technical accounting specialist teams and ensures, together with the team, high quality, compliant, timely and efficient technical accounting support of the business.
- Designs presentations and trains associates on organizational units and regional level on financial reporting and technical accounting.
- Role model for leadership style which is inclusive, proactive, respectful, change agile, innovation/creativity and results driven, always with focus on high quality and high integrity and fosters a speak-up culture.

Key Performance Indicators:

- Quality of accounting and reporting instructions, accounting position papers and support given to the FRA and the technical accounting teams
- Responsive / timely interactions with unit management on accounting standards and accounting implications of transactions, new agreements/contracts, etc.
- Ensures high quality, timely and efficient technical accounting support of the business.
- Effective communication with Chief Accounting Officer on accounting issues and analysis of impact of new accounting and reporting requirements
- Development of Finance talent, ensuring training programs up-to-date and delivered, key talent retention and succession planning in place, associate engagement
- Quality of presentations to Management on accounting standards and accounting implications of important transactions
- Passion for understanding and communicating new accounting requirements
- Successful project work to develop new reporting requirements

**Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion**:

- Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve._

**Minimum requirements**
- Education:
- University Degree in finance, accounting, economics and/or MBA;
- Certified Public Accountant/Chartered Accountant with in-depth IFRS knowledge

Languages:
- Excellent English both spoken and written.
- German or other European language will be a plus

Experience & Skills:
- Relevant work experience in finance of 10+ years, with a multinational and/or Audit experience with a major (i.e. Big 4) public accounting firm.
- Strong technical accounting competence acquired in

Auditing: minimum 8 years in major auditing company, of which 5 years in a multinational financial reporting environment or senior technical specialist in major international company using IFRS or US GAAP- Line management experience with team responsibility
- Good SAP ERP understanding a plus
- Six Sigma Green belt certification be