Head of Accounting Shared Services (m/w/d)

Our Client

A globally operating engineering and construction enterprise with approximately 15,000 employees worldwide, specializing in complex large-scale projects across international markets. The company is strategically establishing a new finance organization in Chennai, India, to serve as a central hub for global finance and accounting activities, supporting its international growth strategy in a highly project-driven environment.

Your Responsibilities

• •Build and lead the Accounting Shared Services organization in Chennai from scratch with approximately 100 employees, establishing organizational structure and operational governance
• •Setup and management of three core accounting processes: Accounts Payable (AP), Accounts Receivable (AR), and General Ledger (GL) in a greenfield environment
• •Plan and execute migration and consolidation of accounting processes from international entities into the new shared service center with minimal disruption
• •Establish standardized, scalable end-to-end processes including clearly defined service level agreements (SLAs) and KPI-based steering mechanisms
• •Ensure timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial closings in compliance with IFRS and local GAAP, particularly German HGB standards
• •Support project-specific accounting treatments, including Percentage-of-Completion (PoC) accounting, in close alignment with operational units
• •Implement and enforce internal controls, governance structures, and audit requirements in accordance with international standards
• •Drive automation, standardization, and ERP-based process transformation, particularly within SAP environment
• •Build and develop leadership layer below Head role, including team leads for AP, AR, and GL functions
• •Collaborate closely with VP Finance & Accounting, Group Finance in Germany, and international business units
• •Serve as primary interface to internal and external auditors, tax advisors, and other stakeholders

Your Profile

• •Extensive hands-on experience in Accounting Shared Services across all three core processes (AP, AR, GL) with proven execution track record
• •International experience beyond APAC region, particularly with European companies and ideally German corporate structures
• •Operations and execution mindset with proven track record in setting up greenfield shared services structures from inception
• •Demonstrated team-building capability managing large accounting teams, ideally in triple-digit headcount range
• •Professional experience in plant engineering, construction, EPC, or other large-project, project-driven industries
• •Knowledge of German local GAAP (HGB) requirements and IFRS accounting standards
• •Hands-on experience with SAP or comparable ERP systems in complex, international environments
• •Strong understanding of project-related accounting methodologies and revenue recognition
• •Entrepreneurial mindset with ability to build organizational structures from scratch and drive transformational change
• •Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills in international corporate environments
• •Business-fluent English; German language skills are advantageous
• •Openness to international work-related travel during build-up and transition phases

Our Client Offers

• •Key leadership role with significant scope to shape the build-up of a new, globally operating finance organization
• •Direct reporting line to Vice President Finance & Accounting – Global Shared Services
• •Responsibility for core operational pillar of global finance setup with strategic impact
• •Attractive compensation package with performance-based components
• •Long-term career perspective within an international, established corporate environment
• •Dynamic, collaborative, and performance-driven working culture
• •Opportunity to establish best-practice accounting processes and governance frameworks
• •Access to modern SAP technology infrastructure and digital transformation initiatives