Global Accounting Director (m/f/d)

Company Overview

At Azenta Life Sciences, a global leader in the life sciences arena headquartered in Burlington, MA, and operating offices worldwide, the trajectory of our future is shaped by fresh ideas, cutting-edge technologies, and innovative perspectives. Every day our employees support us fulfilling our mission to bring breakthroughs to the market faster. Our organizational culture, firmly grounded in our core values, places the utmost importance on putting people first. Open communication is not just encouraged but embedded in our DNA, fostering an environment where ideas freely flow, and collaboration thrives. Authenticity is not just a principle but a guiding light, encouraging our diverse workforce to bring their true selves to work.

This culture empowers our employees to champion innovation and question conventional norms through creative thinking and collaborative work dynamics. Diversity is not just a concept but a cornerstone of our ethos, recognizing that a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences enhances our collective creativity and success. Leveraging our unmatched expertise, we offer comprehensive services spanning lab analysis, sample management and storage, informatics software, and consumables. Notably, our extensive installed base oversees the management of over 1 billion samples on a global scale.

Our Finance team is looking for a new talent, starting at the earliest possible time as Global Accounting Director (m/f/d).

office based in Manchester, UK

Permanent, fulltime employment

How You’ll Add Value…

We are seeking a results-driven and experienced Global Segment Controller to join our team. The Global Accounting Director will report to the CFO for Sample Management Solutions. This is a leadership position responsible for 10+ product lines for the segment. This role will provide direction to the accounting team of the segment and ensure compliance with generally accepted accounting principles, corporate policies, and external audits. This role will have oversight of accounting matters of the segment and will be responsible for monthly and quarter end activities as well as ensuring group and local compliances.

Ideally you have already gained leadership experience, a solid operational and technical accounting background, and work proactively to drive results. You are a self-starter, flexible, have a high level of integrity, and are action and goal-oriented in a fast-paced, team-oriented, collaborative environment.

What You’ll Do…

• Lead and develop a high performing team of accounting professionals, promoting a culture of continuous improvement.
  
  
• Ensure all the entities in the segment are compliant with US GAAP, relevant local GAAP, SOX and internal controls.
  
  
• Oversee accounting processes for all the entities of Sample Management Solutions Operating Company.
  
  
• Lead month-end closing activities, ensure reliable & timely closing of books and preparation or review of reports and analysis in support of internal and external reporting requirements.
  
  
• Oversee robust Account reconciliation process that is completed on time.
  
  
• Perform a detailed balance sheet review for the segment, ensure balances are well explained and supported, movement of balances in the accounts are well understood.
  
  
• Ensure timely statutory and local compliance for all legal entities within the segment, in collaboration with the Corporate Tax and Treasury department.
  
  
• Participate in the ongoing development and establishment of accounting policies and procedures and operational strategies, including the review and implementation of process and system changes.
  
  
• Ensure execution of internal control procedures as per the Company policies, review any control gaps, advise / consult with Finance leadership at both business unit and corporate teams.
  
  
• Liaise with shared service global process owners on matters relating to Accounts Payable, Fixed Assets, Accounts Receivable and other general accounting.
  
  
• Support internal and external auditor processes to ensure accuracy and integrity of financial data for the entities within the segment.
  
  
• Be hands on to drive process and system improvements to enable team productivity, accuracy, enhance timeliness and control environment.
  
  
• Collaborate with business partners to provide guidance / insights on accounting processes to drive business growth.
  
  
• Coordinate with Corporate accounting on deployment of new standards, company policies, reporting requirements.
  
  
• Support and advise on any acquisition activity related to the segment, plan and coordinate financial integration activities for acquisitions.
  
  
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  What you will Bring…
  
  
• Must be a Qualified Chartered Accountant (ACA, ACCA) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) preferred.
  
  
• Master's degree in accounting, finance or an MBA a plus.
  
  
• 10+ years of progressive experience, preferably in a manufacturing and international environment. Comfortable to operate in matrix structures.
  
  
• Strong technical USGAAP and IFRS knowledge.
  
  
• Strong problem-solving approach and attention to details.
  
  
• Experience with large-scale ERP systems required, Oracle Could a plus.
  
  
• Familiar with major reporting systems, preferably with One Stream.
  
  
• Strong process focus & improvement mindset; Six Sigma and/or Lean trained a plus; Project management skills.
  
  
• Excellent communication skills and ability to multi-task in complex and dynamic environments.
  
  
• Experience in maintaining a SOX compliant environment.
  
  
• Occasional travel may be required.
  
  Contact
  
  Azenta Life Sciences
  
  Manchester
  
  Christina Knappe (Recruiter)
  
  Please apply with your complete application documents (cover letter, detailed CV, references) in English.
  
  About us
  
  Azenta Life Sciences is a global life sciences leader headquartered in Burlington, MA, with offices and operation sites around the world. We are the market leader in automated biospecimen management solutions and genomic services in areas such as drug development, clinical and novel cell therapies for the world's leading pharmaceutical, biotech, academic and healthcare institutions. Our laboratory analysis, sample management and storage, informatics software and consumables services offer unparalleled capabilities and have the largest installed base managing over one billion samples worldwide