Summary

Embedded in the APMA, Japan & China regional commercial finance leadership team/s, responsible for managing and coordinating all aspects of Technical Accounting in the region, with the goal of delivering robust technical expertise to decision making and transactional planning and recording; building FRA's R2R and IFRS technical capability in the region; and representing FRA functions, at a regional level in significant, relevant managing and executing all relevant aspects of Company projects where FRA input is needed.

About the Role

Major accountabilities:

• Responsible for communicating and coordinating regional Technical Accounting matters both across the regional FRA and commercial organisations (regional and country CFOs), and with partners outside the regional commercial organisation including other Novartis Business Units, Financial Service Centres, NOCC, Financial Controls and Compliance and external auditors
• Providing Technical Accounting direction across the full Novartis Organisation for the region, in the planning and recording of local BD&L and other transactions, and in accounting for strategic projects, and other complex / significant matters including new innovative product launches. Ensure that transactions are documented in accordance with the Novartis Accounting Manual, and the requirements of the Novartis Financial Controls Manual are met.
• Work closely with Country FRA Heads/R2R to review accounting position papers and memos for the business deals for the region and coordinate trainings, to ensure relevant knowledge sharing for the supported area of expertise and continue to implement and support the roll out of OneAPP tool (Accounting Position Papers)
• Ensuring regional accounting compliance with IFRS and the Novartis Accounting Manual
• Manages the intangible assets impariment process: delivering documented impairment testing including the critical review of data provided by other functions, ambitious assumptions, coordinating with business partners and external auditors and following up on any issues
• Fosters relevant technical accounting knowledge sharing across the region organisation.
• Responsibility as subject matter expert (SME) for specific accounting topics as needed, guiding other team members in implementation of the topic, balancing relevant reported numbers in the consolidated accounts and leading work on the disclosure of the topic for the Annual Report
• Support review of SOX-302 disclosures for the region on a quarterly basis for the divisions
• Work on special projects (including BD&L and M&A transactions) and support as needed
• Assist with APMA FRA Budgets reviews and analysis (Actuals, Budgets and Latest Estimates) and actively participate in Global FRA Projects / Initiatives

• Effective collaboration in, and leadership of the delivery of Technical Accounting to the region and as needed for projects, including the provision of timely, clear, and accurate accounting and reporting advice to local entities, region, global service centre with appropriate documentation through a high-quality Accounting Position Memo or Paper as required.
• Consistency, knowledge sharing and high-quality disclosure for area of SME expertise
• Delivery of high quality and timely impairment tests on intangible assets / goodwill
• Delivery of training as determined to be needed with the region, local and NOCC finance community

• University degree or equivalent experience, preferably in Accounting, together with a professional qualification (CA/CPA)

• Experience in Financial Accounting reporting based on IFRS standards
• Big 4 experience
• 6-8 years in public accounting in a capacity within a blue-chip multinational environment

• Strong technical accounting
• Highly professional
• Ability to extract and communicate key concepts from complex situations
• High stake communication, influencing and negotiating
• Ability to challenge while remaining a great teammate
• Analytical and conceptual thinking
• Critical questioning and application of learning to new situations
• Ability to build trust and strong cross-functional relationships

• English.