Chief Accountant

COFCO International is a global agri-business with a clear vision, strong values and a positive culture, focused on being a leader in the global grains, oilseeds and sugar supply chains. We provide the food the world needs in a responsible way. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, we are ambitious, with the right structures and culture to meet the world's increasing and changing needs. With 12,000+ people in 35 countries, our global portfolio includes assets across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. We trade with over 50 nations, while providing farmers unique direct access to the growing Chinese market.

Scope of the role:

The role of the Chief Accountant is to ensure the compliance with the statutory (local tax) regulations in Romania as well as Group reporting requirements, policies and procedures and support Group policies and procedures. These activities will be performed with coordination of direct reports and will ensure full accountability over Balance Sheet and Profit & Loss accounts, together with related activities of the following functions: General Accounting and Financial Reporting, Fixed Asset Accounting, Taxes, Audit & internal controls, as well as other activities with financial impact.

The actions taken by this role will be solidly integrated within CE region.

Key Responsibilities

Accounting and Financial Reporting

• Ensure compliance with Romanian statutory accounting regulations, IFRS standards, and Group accounting policies.
• Lead the month-end, quarter-end, and year-end closing processes, ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting.
• Review and approve journal entries, account reconciliations, accruals, provisions, and manual accounting adjustments.
• Maintain full accountability for the integrity of balance sheet and profit & loss accounts.
• Prepare and coordinate monthly, quarterly, and annual Group reporting packages.
• Perform analytical reviews of financial results and investigate significant variances.
• Ensure proper accounting treatment of complex or non-routine transactions.

Tax Compliance and Tax Optimization

• Ensure timely and accurate preparation and submission of all tax declarations, including Corporate Income Tax, VAT, Withholding Tax, Local Taxes, and other statutory filings.
• Prepare annual tax returns, tax estimates, tax provisions, and deferred tax calculations in accordance with IFRS and Group Tax policies.
• Identify and implement tax optimization opportunities while ensuring full compliance with applicable legislation and Group requirements.
• Monitor tax legislation changes and assess their business impact.
• Act as the primary point of contact for tax authorities during audits, inspections, and inquiries.
• Provide guidance to management regarding tax implications of business initiatives and transactions.

Transfer Pricing

• Own the transfer pricing framework and ensure compliance with Romanian legislation, OECD guidelines, and Group policies.
• Coordinate the preparation, maintenance, and timely submission of transfer pricing documentation (Local File, Master File, and related documentation where applicable).
• Manage transfer pricing audits and inquiries from tax authorities.

Fixed Assets Management

• Ensure proper accounting and control of fixed assets throughout their lifecycle.
• Oversee capitalization, depreciation, impairment assessments, revaluations, transfers, disposals, and write-offs.
• Coordinate periodic physical inventories of fixed assets and reconciliation with accounting records.
• Ensure compliance with local registration requirements and related taxes for fixed assets.
• Maintain accurate fixed asset registers and supporting documentation.

Audit and Internal Controls

• Coordinate annual statutory audits and Group audits together with the Country Controller.
• Manage all tax audits, inspections, and financial reviews conducted by authorities.
• Ensure effective internal controls within the accounting function.
• Monitor compliance with internal policies, procedures, and authority matrices.
• Identify financial and compliance risks and implement corrective actions.

Systems and Process Improvement

• Ensure proper administration and integrity of SAP and other financial systems.
• Maintain accounting mappings and reporting structures required by the Group.
• Monitor and validate interfaces between accounting and operational systems.
• Actively support ERP implementation, upgrades, and process optimization initiatives.
• Drive standardization and automation of accounting processes and controls.

Team leadership

• Manages the accounting team (recruitment, on-boarding, engagement, compensation, performance, time & attendance, disciplinary actions etc) in close cooperation with HR department
• Build a high-performing and engaged team
• Mentor and manage team performance accounting to company needs, Sunshine Culture and core values (innovation, inclusiveness, integrity & sustainability)
• Lead the team in compliance with company’s Guiding Principles, Policies and Procedures

• Prepare and implement back up structure

Other

• Perform any other duties required by manager and situation, related to business needs, if the case
• Adheres to COFCO values, guidelines and procedures, as well as to internally developed policies and workflows
• Ensure compliance and implementation of COFCO Policies and procedures as per company guidelines, as well as local laws and regulations

Requirements

• Education in Accounting/Financial area or related studies, ACCA / CECCAR are an advantage
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in Accounting in a multi-national company
• Chartered accountant certification is a plus
• Previous experience with ERP implementation is a plus
• Previous experience in managing people
• Very good MS Office knowledge
• Proficient English speaker
• Accurate, reliable with delivering correct and timely information
• Able to work autonomously, self-starter and with team spirit/coordination skills
• Diplomatic person, socially smart
• Good communication and people management skills
• Good high-level business understanding as well as accurate micro-analysis abilities

COFCO International is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Please refer to our Candidate Privacy Notice to know how COFCO collects and processes your personal data during your job application.