Coca-Cola Company New Vacancy for West Africa Business Unit (WABU) Controller

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands.
At The Coca-Cola Company you can cultivate your career in a challenging and dynamic environment. We are the largest manufacturer and distributor of nonalcoholic drinks in the world-selling more than 1 billion drinks a day. Unlock your full potential with a future-focused company that is known and respected throughout the world.


The Coca-Cola Company is recruiting to fill the job position below:



Job Title: West Africa Business Unit (WABU) Controller
Job ID: 37599
Location: Lagos
Job Type: Full Time
Travel Required: 25%
Position Overview 

• As Controller for WABU you will serve as a multi-country Controller for the West Africa Business Unit, based in Lagos, Nigeria, primarily responsible for the end-to-end accounting, taxes and reporting of US and statutory financial statements for a defined set of legal entities covering Nigeria, French West Africa, Mid Africa & Islands and Equatorial Countries, including ‘sign off’ (certification, validation) of the related full set of financial statements (income statement, balance sheet, cash flow, and equity statements).
• In addition, you will be responsible for:
  • Leading, engaging and developing a team of seven people, based in Ghana, Ivory Coast and Nigeria,
  • Managing routines regarding the identification and mitigation of strategic tax and business risks;
  • Establishing processes to ensure sustainable compliance with local tax and country regulations;
  • Proactively managing accounting processes and routines across the countries to ensure compliance with US GAAP, IFRS and/or other local accounting regulations as well as Company accounting policies;
  • Safeguarding the resources of the Company by enforcing internal controls and Company policies, and continuously improving them to ensure the smooth operations of the business; and
  • Partnering with the BU CFO and Region CFOs to ensure the relevant business support is provided by GBS (KO shared services organization).
• In this role you need to have a holistic view of the Coca-Cola business, providing financial advice and strategy to stakeholders considering the Finance ‘triangle model’ (i.e., Corporate, BU/CPS, and GBS), the regulatory environment, cost and value, continuous process improvement to find productivity, standardization and scaling impact, as well as the sustainability of business models and propositions.
• You will be a key leader in the organization, manage people, and provide input to business strategy, capability building, and sustainability of operations.
• You will partner and engage proactively with Senior Leadership, Corporate stakeholders, E&Y, and Corporate and Business Unit (BU) clients, as well as strongly collaborate with GFO and other global peers, Regional Controllers, and LECs to ensure a coordinated approach in managing business deliverables and processes.

Key Responsibilities
Financial Reporting and Analysis (40%): 

• Responsible for financial reporting integrity and drafting of Local and US GAAP Financial Statements for assigned legal entities, including related sign off and certification
• Liaise with process teams to ensure all transactions are correctly recorded, including fees & commissions and dividend remittances
• Management of Local and US GAAP E&Y Audit, including planning activities, drafting of financial statements, investment consolidation map, and diagnosis update on new regulations
• Financial review of contracts with BU partners and FAS 133 contract review with Accounting Research for contracts higher than USD 2 million
• As relevant, BOFC Forms Review (e.g., Legal Reserves, Related Party Transactions, Impairment Survey, etc.)
• Coordination of the BU Representation Letter (SEC Letter)
• Collaborate with the BU on balance sheet/operating capital forecasting
• Review monthly certain balance sheet account reconciliations
• Coordinate the set-up of new legal entities, business models, and supply models as well as drive the implementation of relevant SAP modules to support business operations
• Review and understanding of AICs and SPP in order to ensure that the financial statements are being properly reported in accordance with accounting and business policies
• Monthly review of financial statements and variances, providing narrative and ensuring active follow up as needed
• Quarterly review of profit center allocations and BU Economic Profit calculation and analysis
• Responsible for interacting as needed with other teams such as Accounting Research, Corporate Treasury, Corporate Tax, Controller’s Group, CPS, Equity Investees, and E&Y

Strategic Business and Tax Planning, Mitigation & Compliance (20%): 

• Proactively work with the BU functions to mitigate business, financial, and tax risks as well as support Commercial Finance and Franchise teams in executing business initiatives
• Oversight and coordination of payroll-related processes (with the Payroll COE) impacting Tax
• In liaison with the FUFM/BUFD, engage tax advisers and Tax Authorities and coordinate responses to all tax audits and queries within timelines agreed with or demanded by Tax Authorities
• Collaborate with Legal to ensure compliance with local financial-legal requirements and other local/corporate secretarial requirements.
• Monthly review of Tax Account reconciliations including Deferred Taxes
• Manage/resolve indirect tax issues (excise, customs) affecting the System
• Review the monthly / periodic VAT, Withholding Tax, Sales Tax, Deferred Tax and Corporation Tax computations as applicable including tax returns and follow up for timely filing with, payment to & reconciliation with Tax Offices
• Manage compliance with transfer pricing regulatory requirements

Internal Controls and Compliance (20%): 

• Responsible for the maintenance, along with the Controls & Compliance Manager, of an effective internal control environment
• Support the internal audit process (CAD)
• Participate in and support the annual review of SOX narratives related to the Financial Statement and Reporting area

Treasury Support (10%): 

• Investments & Dividends – coordination with the Controller’s Group, Corporate Treasury (for financial instruments), and 3rdparty partners to ensure accurate accounting and disclosures in US GAAP and local financial statements and to execute dividend remittances (including withholding taxes) as instructed by Corporate Treasury.
• Pensions – coordination with the Controller’s Group, Corporate Treasury, and as relevant with Towers Watson to ensure accurate accounting and disclosures in US GAAP and local financial statements

People Management and Continuous Improvement (10%): 

• Develop, motivate, coach, and inspire team members to be a high-performing team
• For team members, individual career and development opportunities are created, assessed, and realized
• Apply operational excellence/lean tools to make continuous improvements to processes

What You Can Expect 

• Being part of a team with Great Spirit and energy.
• Possibility to gain experience in process transition and Operational Excellence processes.
• Competitive benefits package combined with development opportunities.
• Full time employment.

What you need to be Successful
In order to be successful as Business Unit Controller for Coca-Cola, you need to be able to understand the business very well in order to develop resolutions to issues that take care of greater Company interest while obtaining alignment with all stakeholders, which on the other hand requires developed influencing skills.