Director of Finance Operations

KUKA; Sterling Heights (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

KUKA in Sterling Heights, MI seeks an experienced Finance Lead to manage month-end close, IFRS reporting, and statutory/compliance tasks within the Shared Services Hub. You will oversee journal entries, reconciliations, and tax calculations while ensuring timely delivery and accuracy.

The role requires a Master’s degree and CPA, 10–12 years of accounting/financial controlling, and strong SAP/MS Office skills. You will mentor a team and partner with auditors and stakeholders to drive efficiency.

Qualifications

• Master's degree and CPA (or equivalent) with 10–12 years in accounting or financial controlling.
• ERP system experience in multinational environments.
• Strong experience in Shared Services and finance transformation incl. KPI management and SLA governance.
• Expert in SAP and MS Office.
• Excellent problem-solving, proactive, and deadline-driven.

Responsibilities

• Oversee month-end closure for multiple legal entities under IFRS.
• Provide technical accounting guidance and close support.
• Review balance sheet reconciliations and journal entries.
• Ensure IFRS compliance and statutory requirements.
• Lead Shared Services Hub, standardize processes across regions.
• Manage a team: resourcing, performance, hiring, transitions.
• Coordinate with internal/external auditors and stakeholders.
• Track KPIs and SLAs; drive continuous improvement.

Skills

ERP systems

Shared services

SAP

Microsoft Office

Communication skills

Problem solving

Proactivity

Time management

Education

Master's degree and CPA

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Office

Job description

Ensures that finance processes are performed in quality and timely manner. Owns resolution for issues occurring in areas of Month end, reporting, general accounting, statutory reporting and external auditors and stakeholder management. Preference is to find an individual who has experience in a Shared Services environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Month End and Group Reporting

• To oversee and control the close for various legal entities under IFRS for reporting to Corporate at each month end.
• To manage any issues which arise during the close, review the accounts in their entirety for accuracy prior to Group Reporting.
• To provide technical accounting and controlling instructions /supports
• To understand, analyze and provide commentary on the numbers as required.
• Review and approve Balance Sheet reconciliation, ensure all balance sheet accounts are properly reconciled, documented, and supported
• Review and approve journal entries prepared by the teams.
• Review and approve tax and accounting calculation
• Review and approve BS and PL review files.
• Manage escalations related to the issue arise during the close.
• Identify risks, inconsistencies, and improvement opportunities within the closing process

General accounting

• Oversee and review accounting activities related to:
• Payroll and employee-related costs
• Fixed assets and capital expenditures, ensuring correct capitalization, depreciation, impairments, and asset lifecycle management
• Inventory accounting
• Revenue accounting, ensuring correct IFRS-compliant recognition and cut-off
• Accounts receivable and accounts payable, focusing on balance accuracy, aging
• Ensure compliance with IFRS, internal accounting policies, and local statutory requirements
• Review complex, manual, or judgment-based journal entries
• Act as escalation point for complex accounting issues and technical IFRS questions

Statutory Reporting and External Auditors

• To oversee the preparation of statutory accounts under local GAAP.
• Review Financial Statements prepared by the teams.
• To ensure that the interim and year-end statutory/group audits deadlines are met. Audits finished in time.
• Work with internal auditors to ensure the entities are always in compliance with statutory regulations, Group, and relevant internal policies.
• To continuously look for efficiencies in internal and external audits.
• Make sure that the team has enough resources and knowledge to prepare the Financial Statement and management of the audits.
• Collaboration and cooperation with other departments within the company, as well as external customers, partners, authorities.
• Ensure that Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), overall accounting process and internal controls over financial reporting are properly followed, documented.
• Track and ensure adherence to Service Level Agreements (SLA) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Act as the primary finance contact between internal stakeholders and the other internal organization
• Maintain strong working relationships with:
• Local Finance Business Partners
• External auditors
• External professional advisors
• Other KUKA Finance and non-Finance Departments
• Represent the finance organization in senior-level discussions in senior leadership and People management
• Lead and oversee the Shared Services Hub, ensuring efficient, standardized, and high-quality service delivery across supported functions and regions.
• Manage allocated team for the dedicated entities (people management, goal setting, evaluation, hiring, promotion etc.)
• Resource planning and monitoring. Make sure that new transitions are appropriately resourced, and the work is allocated evenly within the team.
• Initiate new ideas to improve the efficiency of the team.
• Streamline and standardize the processes between the teams.
• Implement new tools to improve the quality and efficiency of the teams.
• Make sure that the strategic goals set by the leadership are met by the team.
• To roll out KPIs and report to stakeholders and monitor the team’s performance through the KPIs.

Education and/or Experience

• Masters's degree and CPA (or equivalent) and/or 10-12 years of relevant experience in Accounting and/or financial controlling
• ERP system experience – experience working in multinational environment.
• Strong experience in Shared Service organizations and finance transformation initiatives, including process optimization, automation, KPI management, SLA governance and cross-functional collaboration across global teams.
• Very Strong finance, accounting, controlling and computer related skills – SAP and Microsoft Office knowledge.
• Solid knowledge of financial controlling area
• Knowledge of local GAAP and IFRS is required
• Teamwork and experience in finance processes including taxation.
• Excellent problem-solving and follow-up skills.
• Ability to work independently, pro-activity.
• Strong oral and written communication skills with the ability to interact independently with cross departments, internal and external clients, auditors, consultants.
• Ability to keep deadlines, punctuality, prioritization.
• A “can do” attitude is essential. Ability to adapt to change and to make changes to drive efficiencies in processes is very important

KUKA is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building an inclusive and diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.