This job is archived
(Archived) Advisor – Finance Reporting SME
Job Description
As a leading global animal health company, Elanco delivers innovative products and services to improve the health of pets and farm animals around the world because we believe making animals' lives better, makes life better. Since 1954, we have provided solutions that support veterinarians, farmers and pet owners to advance our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life. Elanco's promise to employees: Together, we foster an inclusive culture where everyone can make a difference, encouraging ownership, growth and well-being.
Advisor – Finance Reporting SME
Work Location: Greenfield, IN (Hybrid)
Position Summary:
The primary focus will be providing integration between the business and IT, influencing the processes, tools and operating models within the Financial Planning & Analysis and Consolidations business functions. This role will focus on understanding the needs of the FP&A/External Reporting/Affiliate areas and translating them into technical solutions, better process, and related governance.
In addition, the role will include involvement in the integration of any new acquisitions and related Master Data requirements. You will be involved in the finance efforts across the new product cycle as we review consolidation and planning tools and plan for the updating, designing, and delivering of chosen product. This role will play a critical part in understanding the requirements of the Master Data and Transactional Data requirements to support analytics and reporting across the company.
You will need to lead via influence and the ability to communicate clearly and thoughtfully is paramount. You must be comfortable with ambiguity and exhibit superior organization and project management skills along with the ability to build something from the ground up. You will work directly with Finance leadership teams to plan for the integration while navigating technical and operational finance & accounting matters.
Key Responsibilities & Deliverables:
Process Expertise and Business Partnership
Be knowledgeable in the SAP & BPC technology combined with the business processes it supports from a configuration perspective.
Interact and collaborate with global, regional, and local Business Partners (Process Owners, Power Users, Business Users and Service/Release Managers) as appropriate, to better understand the business and its priorities and represent their requirements.
Investigate and prioritize propose solutions or enhancements in line with business needs, while meeting IT objectives and standardizations.
Manage ERP related Planning and Consolidation projects, understand business impact, quantify resources and after evaluating, make recommendation for technical options.
Be forward thinking with respect to technical evolutions within the ERP landscape which help improve user experience or functionality of the offering.
Partner with ECAR, FP&A, Affiliates, Internal Partners in assessing and defining requirements and drive the development of business cases.
Identify and ensure delivery of knowledge transfer needs between business owners and other business partners.
Promote process improvement and innovation to drive business process optimization.
Influence partner (business and vendor) organizations in prioritization and problem management of solution issues, including root cause analysis.
Integration Process Expertise and Business Partnership.
Be the global champion to drive standardization across the integration process.
Establish strong relationships with Business, Finance, ESC, BD, and IT leaders, including a structured cadence for regular interaction and two-way feedback.
Understand Business Development and Finance needs, strategies, and expectations, and be the bridge between them and the IT execution team for acquisitions or divestitures.
Understand system architecture, including SAP, add-ons, enablers, carve outs, interfaces, B2 submissions, and be the partner with ESC, Finance and Business with IT to design best integration approach for each acquisition.
Determine the strategic balance between service levels and process efficiency.
Process Governance:
Demonstrate a strong Continuous Improvement oriented approach and help to build a strong Continuous Improvement culture.
Establish and manage a governance process to evaluate and approve process localization / customization requests related to acquisitions.
Ensure adequate process documentation and training materials are developed and maintained, and provide user education and training to acquired business.
Proactively monitor and anticipate changing business, regulatory, and financial requirements, processes, and practice impacting integration or divestiture.
Drive process compliance at both business and execution levels and establish processes to monitor and address non-standard activities.
Establish, monitor, and report end-to-end process metrics and KPIs to measure service levels, operational effectiveness, process health, and process compliance.
Controls:
Data Controls experience.
Experience in continuous improvement initiatives, root cause analysis and project management.
Ensure prioritization and encourage a culture of compliance to SOx and other internal controls requirements.
Coordinate with SOx leaders to ensure integration design appropriately addresses key control requirements and risk mitigation.
Integrate controls into process documentation and training materials.
Support internal and external auditors and own coordination of action plans where audit procedures identify areas of potential risk or control weakness.
Technical and Process Support:
Participate in ERP and allied systems build and configuration, setting data standards, data collection & cleansing for integrations and other miscellaneous finance projects as needed.
Participate in developing business scenarios and scripts for testing, and drive user testing as needed.
Participate in cutover and support go-live and stabilization of acquired businesses.
Manage and coordinate with IT processes, relationships, and resources for:
troubleshooting, issue-resolution, and escalation for process and systems issues, including assignment and prioritization of trouble tickets and change requests.
Continuous Improvement and External Focus:
Identify, implement, and monitor projects for ongoing process improvement initiatives.
Provide external focus through benchmarking, engagement with vendors, consultants, and peers in the industry, to identify leading business processes and technologies and evaluate those for implementation in Elanco.
Drive continuous improvement across Elanco.
Minimum Requirements:
Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, or other business-related field of study required.
6+ years ERP Experience with SAP and Planning and Consolidation Processes in Big 4 Public Accounting or multinational corporation.
2+ years acquisition integration experience in Big 4 Public Accounting or multinational corporation.
Strong understanding and application of corporate policies and procedures.
Effective analytical, problem solving and investigative skills.
Experience in cross-functional projects.
Possess strong knowledge and understanding of US GAAP standards.
A strong understanding of the merger and acquisition finance integration.
An understanding of the legal and financial obligations of typical transactions and how those agreements will drive the needs from the business and timing of activities.
Excellent professional written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills required. Experience working with Executive Teams in a senior financial role required.
Ability to motivate teams to produce quality materials within tight timeframes and simultaneously manage several projects.
Ability to prioritize assignments, deal with interruptions, and meet deadlines in a fast paced and growth-oriented environment.
Strong leadership skills and proven ability to adapt leadership style to different situations and people as well as to a complex business structure.
Working experience in project management, including project management tools and techniques such as developing a project plan, milestone plan, dependency identification, status reporting, and issue resolution.
Additional Skills & Preferences:
Master’s degree and CPA highly preferred.
Demonstrated Knowledge with SAP Configuration and BPC interface.
Knowledge of the animal health business environment a plus.
Excellent initiative and self-management skills.
Ability to resolve issues across geographical and cultural boundaries.
Proven track record to deliver outstanding results.
Proven experience influencing constituents without formal authority.
Proven ability to frame clear choices and achieve wins.
Elanco is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status