Coca Cola: Legal Entity Controller

Position Overview:

This posting closes on the 4 Sept 2013
The Legal Entity Controller is responsible for managing tax compliance of the legal entities under his / her jurisdiction and working with the Business Unit teams to proactively identify and mitigate strategic and transactional tax risks.  The LEC is also responsible for overseeing compliance with US GAAP, IFRS and / or other local accounting regulations as well as company accounting policies; and safeguarding the resources of the company by enforcing internal controls & company policies, and continuously improving them to ensure smooth operations of the business.

KEY DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

 

Strategic Tax Planning, Mitigation & Compliance  – 40%

• Proactively work with the BU functions to mitigate all tax risks & support Commercial Finance and Franchise teams in resolving indirect tax issues (excise, customs, VAT, income and PAYE) affecting the system

• Review significant contracts, agreements and business processes for compliance and tax efficiency

• Maintain tax tracker and engage the BU and Atlanta corporate tax department on all tax issues arising and progress in resolving them

• Review of the monthly VAT,  deferred tax and corporation tax computations and related journal vouchers  for posting into the ledger and prepare/review monthly tax returns and follow up for timely filing with, payment to & reconciliation with different tax authorities

• Approval of monthly/quarterly GL tax account reconciliations

• In liaison with RC, engage senior tax counsel, external 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 and company secretarial service providers (PWC) to ensure compliance with Companies’ Act and other local/secretarial requirements.

• Monthly/periodic review of different tax authorities statement of accounts for all taxes to ensure payments are correctly allocated and receipt of refunds are confirmed by treasury.

• Proactively manage work assigned to external adviser to ensure that agreed timelines are met and quality standards are adhered to within the approved budget.

Operational Control and Compliance – 30%

• Administer the Request for Authority (RFA) database, coordinate with Group and Corporate Capital Management, review validity and appropriateness of justifications provided by BU associates  and advise on documentary requirements of various business transactions requiring RFAs

• Coordinate the quarterly Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) certification process with BUFD, RC, BU Legal & BUP and follow-up with Group and Corporate

• Work with BU Finance to ensure proper documentation, communication and implementation of all  relevant company policies and procedures and manage the implementation, compliance with and periodic review/amendment of the Local Chart of Authority and relevant policies

• Review weekly payment proposals and oversee timely clearance of payment block lists to ensure accuracy & compliance before approval/payment

• Monitor(along with Controls and Compliance Manager) compliance with company’s segregation of duties (SOD) rules and perform other system access reviews

• Support internal audit process (CAD)

Accounting and Reporting  – 30%

• Manage non-financial reporting to Atlanta including impairment surveys, third party guarantee reports, legal reserves, payments to government officials, carry-forward spend reporting, etc.

• Review monthly computation of service fees

• Prepare monthly legal entity P&Ls and narratives and quarterly legal entity balance sheets and narratives

• Co-ordinate the completion, review and sign-off of the Annual Financial Statements with RC, BUFD, P&CM and external auditors

• Organize a legal entity board meeting with input from BUFD and BU legal director including the preparation of board packs and accompanying power point presentations

• Ensure items highlighted at monthly Balance Sheet Risk and Opportunities meetings are addressed and  acted upon within agreed timelines

• Responsible for interacting as needed with other areas such as Accounting Research, Corporate Treasury, Corporate Tax, Controllers Group, etc.

• Review AICs, SPPs, etc. that impact KO business in order to ensure that the financial statements are being properly reported

ORGANIZATION IMPACT/ INFLUENCE

• RFC Regional Controller  – Supervision, allocation of work and problem solving

• Senior tax counsel /Accounting Research manager/Treasury services managers– Problem solving & exchange of information

• ASM/Disbursements Manager/Treasury Supervisor /AP Manager  – Liaison, exchange of information

• BU Finance Management – strategic partnerships, problem solving, SLAs

• BU operations (Legal) – problem solving

• Suppliers/tax advisers /auditors/tax authority officials – exchange of information

• Bottler Investor Group Equity Investment contacts & Equity Investees Finance managers – exchange of information

• Controls and Compliance Manager – Liaison, exchange of information

RELATED JOB REQUIREMENTS/ QUALIFICATIONS

Technical Skills:

• Tax Planning and Compliance
• Strategic Financial Consulting
• Risk Management, Internal Controls (eg. SOX, Segregation of Duties, etc.) and Auditing
• US GAAP, IFRS and local GAAP
• Advanced SAP and Excel
• Treasury Appreciation
• Analytical Skills
• Systems Thinking
• Company Specific Behavior Competencies
• Balancing Immediate and Long-term Priorities
• Delivering results
• Driving Innovative business improvements
• Importing and Exporting Good Ideas
• Setting a Winning Example
• Generic Competencies
• Tolerating stress
• Understanding the business
• Acting with Integrity
• Influencing senior managers
• Planning and organizing

 

Required Experience:

5-10 years’ experience in Tax and Auditing or Accounting preferably with multinational or professional practice in South Africa

 
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Compulsory that candidate has a University degree preferably in Finance, Accounting or related and is a registered qualified professional accountant (CA, CPA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent).

 
JUDGEMENT AND DECISION MAKING

• Full accountability for ensuring that the BU processes are compliant to company rules and all legal entities under area of responsibility are compliant to tax rules and GAAP.

• Ensure stakeholder/business unit requirements are met through effective management routines/processes /planning, partnering, prioritization and organizing

• Ensure escalation/communication of key issues/opportunities including tax risks, BS and CF risks and opportunities – including recommendations for resolution

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Minimal travel required: 15% of time mainly requiring overnight stays
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

1)      Values Statement

Honesty and integrity have always been cornerstone values of The Coca-Cola Company. Our passion for people of integrity mirrors our spirited drive for total quality in our brands. These and other elements allow the company to sustain strategic practices and drive business performance.

 

2)      Sell Message

At The Coca-Cola Company you can cultivate your career in a challenging and dynamic environment. We are the largest manufacturer and distributor of non-alcoholic 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.

 

JOB ID	26579
LOCATION(S)	South Africa
CITY/CITIES	Johannesburg
SPECIFIC LOCATION	ZA-GT-JOHANNESBURG-OFFICE
JOB TYPE	Full Time
TRAVEL REQUIRED	15%
RELOCATION PROVIDED	No
SHIFT	N/A

 

 

How to Apply

Click on this link to apply online