Lindt – Head of Accounting

Are you an experienced accounting manager with a passion for accuracy, innovation and efficiency? In this new and important role as Head of Accounting in Lindt’s Nordic Finance organization, you will play a pivotal role in driving efficiency of the financial processes while leading and developing a competent and devoted team. If you’re a seasoned finance professional with a solid leadership looking to join a stellar team and a winning company in steady growth – then we can’t wait to hear from you!

About Lindt & Sprüngli

Lindt & Sprüngli is a renowned Swiss chocolatier and confectionery company known for producing premium chocolates since 1845. With a rich tradition of quality and innovation, Lindt has become synonymous with luxury chocolates worldwide. The company operates in over 120 countries and employs more than 14,000 people who are passionate about creating the finest chocolate products. Lindt’s commitment to excellence, sustainability, and customer satisfaction is reflected in every product that bears its name.

About the role

You will lead the accounting team within the Nordic Finance organization, overseeing the day-to-day operations to ensure accurate and timely financial statements and month-end closings. Also, you will head up and drive internal reporting for forecasting and year-end cycles. You take responsibility for supporting both internal and external audits, ensuring compliance and control. Moreover, you manage Accounts Receivable (AR), Accounts Payable (AP), FX risks, and tax exposures, while working closely with the CFO and CEO to identify risks and opportunities to optimize cash flow. Naturally you ongoingly seek improvements in ways of working by continuously enhancing processes through automation and digitization initiatives. You report to the Nordic CFO.

Key Responsibilities

Day to day transactions and Monthly Closing

Ensure following ledgers are managed and well maintained for smooth and accurate monthly and year end closing.

• Manage the Accounts Payables: Ensure accurate payments on time in the Purchase Ledger and review KPIs regularly, correct and flag issues if any in the process

• Manage the Accounts Receivables: Oversee the receivables, minimize bad debt and guide the Sales Teams on improving cash flow.

• General Ledger: Maintain the General Ledger accurately (Journals, prepayments and accruals) for timely and accurate monthend closing.

• Monthly closing: Work closely with Head of Controlling to manage timely and accurate month closing and report out PL, BS and Key Figure reports to the organization.

Taxes, Treasury and FX Exposures

• Review and guide various Tax processes to avoid liability (VAT liability, Corporate Tax, etc)

• Work with CFO to understand new Tax changes from the HQ or locally and communicate proactively. Seek guidance from external audit firm accordingly.

• Ensure all payments internally (Inter Company) and externally (Customers and 3rd party) are transacted on time

• Work with CFO to hedge FX exposures and proactively hedge risks

• Maintain sufficient funds in various currencies and suggest when to transact where Revenue and Payments are not balanced in a country

Internal and External Controls, Audit Activities

Successful annual internal and external year end audit. Documents are submitted on time, control outages identified and addressed, clear mitigation action plans are carried out effectively to the organization and no repeat issues the following year.

Budget and Forecast

Together with the CFO, manage headcount, personnel cost budgets and ensure actuals are reviewed and maintained with HR during the year.

Manage Budget and Forecast process in building in assumptions for org structure update, CAPEX and cashflow reporting.

Team Leadership

Create a sustainable Accounting Team (3-4 FTE), which becomes the backbone of the Finance function. Continuously challenge the status quo and immensely automate and digitize various transactions. Document processes.

Key Experiences & Qualities:

• Extensive Experience: 10+ years of accounting experience (preferably within FMCG) across at least three Nordic markets, with a deep understanding of local financial landscapes.

• Leadership skills: proven track-record to lead and develop a finance team of experienced and skilled specialists.

• Technical Expertise: Proficient in SAP and various financial applications. Comfortable with ERP systems and financial tools like Tagetik.

• Strategic Thinking: Strong professional judgment in supporting strategic decision-making while ensuring financial controls are upheld.

• Communication & Collaboration: Excellent communication skills, with the ability to build strong relationships across multifunctional teams and with external auditors.

• Innovative Mindset: Comfortable challenging the status quo and driving impactful change in financial processes.

• Educational Background: BA in Accounting or related field; professional accounting qualification a plus.

• Language Proficiency: Fluency in English and Swedish is required. Additional Nordic language skills are a plus.

Join Lindt Nordic and be part of a team that is committed to excellence and innovation in the world of premium chocolates. If you are convinced that you have the experience, skills and drive that Lindt is looking for, we would love to hear from you!

To apply

In this important and exciting recruitment, we are partnering with Academic Search, a leading expert in Executive Search, Recruitment and Interim Management. For more information about the position, please contact Researcher Betty Thoresson betty.thoresson@academicsearch.se or martina.josefsson@academicsearch.se, Senior Consultant.

Apply (CV in English!) through the link below to play a pivotal role in Lindt’s continued success story!

All information is handled confidentially in accordance with Academic Search Integrity Policy as well as the data protection act, GDPR. This means that we can only process applications with CV’s coming through the applications system. Please apply to the position as soon as possible, as we are interviewing on an ongoing basis. Thanks for your understanding!

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