Senior Financial Controller

Cma Cgm - Norfolk, VA

Full-time - Senior

Norfolk, VA

Support Activities for Transportation

About the position

The Senior Financial Controller at CMA CGM is a pivotal role that oversees all aspects of the Finance Department, reporting directly to the CFO of APL Lines. This position is responsible for ensuring that all financial deadlines and deliverables are met across multiple reporting structures. The Senior Financial Controller will perform ongoing risk assessments on financial processes and validate that proper internal controls and segregation of duties are applied to all procedures and policies. This role is crucial in maintaining the integrity of financial reporting and compliance with established policies and group guidelines. In addition to managing the local Finance team, the Senior Financial Controller will partner with global shared service centers to establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for the Finance department. Building constructive relationships with other departments within APL, the CMA CGM Group, and external partners is essential to drive the organization’s financial performance and process improvements. The Senior Financial Controller will serve as a business partner to the senior leadership team, providing insights and recommendations based on financial analysis. The responsibilities also include overseeing the company’s accounting and financial reporting activities, monitoring and analyzing profit and loss (P&L) fluctuations against the budget, and reporting variances to senior management. The role involves leading the annual budgeting process, coordinating requirements with senior leadership, and ensuring timely consolidation within group deadlines. Furthermore, the Senior Financial Controller will oversee the accounts payable process, ensuring that supplier invoices are recorded accurately and that proper approvals are obtained prior to payment. This position also requires reviewing bank reconciliations for accuracy and ensuring compliance with head office deadlines, as well as monitoring intercompany activity and ensuring proper reporting and matching with other entities of the group.

Responsibilities

• Manage local Finance team and partner with global shared service centers to meet all deliverables and deadlines; establish and monitor Finance department KPIs.
• Establish and maintain constructive and beneficial relationships with other departments within APL, the Group, and the company's partners to drive the organization's financial performance, process improvement, and value to the Group; serve as business partner to the senior leadership team.
• Responsible for the Company's accounting and financial reporting activities, including accuracy, completeness, and compliance with established policies and Group guidelines.
• Monitor and analyze P&L fluctuations vs budget; regularly report variances to senior management; assist with cost control and cost avoidance initiatives in both DRC, crew travel, and G&A related expenses.
• Lead the annual budgeting process; coordinate requirements with Senior Leadership, APL Lines, and CMA Ships; ensure consolidation within Group deadlines.
• Oversee accounts payable process; ensure supplier invoices are recorded accurately and timely and proper approvals in all systems are obtained prior to payment.
• Review bank reconciliations for accuracy; ensure head office BR deadlines are met.
• Monitor intercompany activity; ensure proper reporting and matching with other entities of the Group.
• Ensure proper accounting and reporting of tax-related transactions and declarations.
• Serve as primary contact for internal and external audits.
• Establish or update procedures and processes to ensure adequate segregation of duties and internal controls; perform regular risk analysis on balance sheet accounts and ensure proper processes exist for review and audit of same.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in accounting; MBA or other evidence of advanced knowledge of accounting and finance preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of management experience in a corporate accounting/finance environment.
• Strong oral and written communication skills; leading by example.
• Ability to work well under pressure independently; perform and manage multiple tasks simultaneously; meet deadlines.
• Solid analytical, decision making and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Suite Products (MS Word, EXCEL, etc.).
• Commitment to teamwork and collaboration.
• Respect for all individuals, extending dignity and respect to all people.
• Integrity in fostering trust and a positive work environment.
• Innovation in bringing creativity to the workplace.