Hurtigruten | Head of Group Accounting
POSITION: HEAD OF GROUP ACCOUNTING
LOCATION: OSLO
APPLICATION: AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
CONTACT: ANDREAS LJØSTAD | 992 61 497
CONTACT: SANDER PAULSRUD | 995 28 955
Reporting to the VP Accounting, the Head of Group Accounting plays a pivotal leadership role within Group Finance, guiding a team of accountants and overseeing external and internal reporting, audits, monthly consolidation and ownership of the consolidation and reporting system. The individual will be responsible for determining and documenting key accounting judgements as well as providing expert accounting advice to the Group’s finance community, keeping up to date with all developments within IFRS and leading the implementation of new standards across the Group. The role will also be responsible for leadership and support of critical transformation workstreams around financial and management reporting, accounting and finance standards and procedures and data.
Key tasks:
Ensure that the Group’s financial statements, monthly, quarterly and annual reports are delivered to a high standard with relevant disclosures in a timely manner.
Act as the main point of contact for external auditors, coordinating audit processes and ensuring appropriate information flow between all teams, including end to end project management. Escalation point for resolving matters across the Group.
Prepare / review calculations and accounting papers for key accounting judgements, significant balances and large/unusual transactions (e.g. going concern, impairment assessment, divestments and acquisitions etc.).
Production of Group wide accounting policies and production / maintenance of the Group Finance Manual.
Lead a development programme for the Group Consolidation package (HFM) to streamline structures and improve reporting.
Act as the Group’s technical accounting expert and assist the Accounting team in operating entities with any queries on accounting treatment in line with IFRS.
Establish, develop and enforce robust financial reporting controls, minimising risks and enhancing accuracy and reliability.
Understand impact of FX on group reporting and provide recommendations for management of relevant risks. Ensure all FX movements in the ledger are correctly calculated and explained.
Partner with the accounting & FP&A teams to drive business support initiatives, shape annual budgets, and quarterly re-forecasting challenges.
Assist the Head of Tax with maintenance and implementation of group transfer pricing policy.
Assist the treasury team with short-term and long-term group cash reporting and forecasts.
Control of the intercompany reconciliation process.
Undertake ad-hoc projects as requested.
Any other duties and ad-hoc as requested by the VP Finance.
Actively participate in the preparation for the listing process (IPO) of the company on Oslo Stock Exchange.
DESIRED BACKGROUND:
Solid professional education, preferably a master's degree in accounting and auditing.
Minimum 8 years of relevant experience, preferably from auditing combined with operational experience. It will be an advantage with experience from stock exchange reporting and international companies.
Extensive experience in preparing and reviewing consolidation, tax and internal control issues.
Proven track record in identifying and rolling out applicable internal control structure and intercompany routines.
Well experienced in IT-systems, including solid knowledge of Excel and BI-systems. SAP experience is an advantage.
Good English and Norwegian skills, both written and oral.
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Technically first class and forward thinking with up-to-date knowledge of IFRS reporting requirements.
Strong financial & management accounting experience preferably within a global organisation.
Hands-on yet able to interpret the big picture.
Attention to detail and pride in delivering consistently accurate work.
Ability to organize and prioritize work in and around deadlines, workloads and conflicting priorities.
Bring a positive, enthusiastic and “can-do” attitude to work.
Self-motivated with the ability to adapt to demands of specific projects & to work effectively as part of a team.
Develop and maintain professional working relationships. Take a partnering approach with managers and stakeholders.
Resonate with the high performance Hurtigruten culture.
WE CAN OFFER:
Central role in the professional environment in Group Finance with direct reporting to VP Accounting.
Overall professional responsibility for processes related to internal control, financial improvement, high level IFRS issues and accounting policy.
Challenging and developing work tasks in a growth-driven, PE-owned entity with high ambitions.
Participate in an Initial Public Offering of Hurtigruten (IPO).
Strong professional environment with motivated and competent colleagues.
Hurtigruten Group – World Leader in Adventure Travel
The undisputed global leader in sustainable inspirational adventure travel — a catalyst for change towards a greener travel industry. Formed in 1893, Hurtigruten Group is the world’s leading adventure travel group. We have 2,400+ employees worldwide, representing more than 50 nationalities. They form part of three main business units — Hurtigruten Expeditions, Hurtigruten Coastal Express, and Hurtigruten Svalbard — which offer unique small-ship and land-based adventures from pole-to-pole.
For almost 130 years we have pushed boundaries on expedition travel and sailed tourists, locals and cargo around the Norwegian coastline and polar regions. We have made Norway more connected, impacting the lives of millions of people. And we continue to share knowledge with our international guests about wildlife, local communities, science and the natural world. As a Group, we are revolutionising the travel industry’s approach to sustainability through a number of vital initiatives to protect the world we explore.