Service Delivery Lead - Technical Accounting

Job Description

Role Summary

The Technical Accounting Service Delivery Lead (SDL) owns end-to-end operational delivery, technical accounting governance, financial controls, and service performance across Banking, Consolidation & Reporting, Fixed Assets, Internal Development Software (IDSW), Lease Accounting and Intercompany towers.

The SDL is accountable for service delivery performance (CSL/SLA), close governance, technical accounting execution, audit readiness, stakeholder management, organizational leadership, transformation delivery and risk management across the Technical Accounting organization.

This role serves as the primary bridge between Global Finance Operations and Corporate Controllership, ensuring that operational execution remains aligned with accounting policies, financial reporting requirements, SOX/ICFR expectations and enterprise governance standards.

The SDL leads a multi-layer organization consisting of Directors, Associate Directors, Senior Managers and specialized accounting teams, providing strategic direction, technical leadership and operational oversight to ensure predictable, high-quality and audit-ready outcomes.

This role requires strong technical accounting expertise across Consolidation, Banking, Fixed Assets, IDSW, Lease Accounting and Intercompany processes, coupled with demonstrated success in leading large-scale global finance operations.

Focus & Scope

Focus:

Enterprise technical accounting governance, service delivery excellence, close management, financial controls, stakeholder leadership and transformation execution.

Scope:

• Oversees day-to-day performance across Banking, Consolidation & Reporting, Fixed Assets, IDSW, Lease Accounting and Intercompany towers.
• Ensures financial statement integrity through disciplined close execution, technical accounting compliance and strong control environments.
• Owns close readiness, service delivery performance, operational risk management and governance across all technical accounting towers.
• Maintains a robust operating rhythm including executive governance forums, close cockpit reviews, risk management, audit readiness and post-close lessons learned.
• Ensures all outputs meet NIQ standards for SOX/ICFR compliance, IPE integrity, OneStream certification, accounting policy compliance and audit readiness.
• Leads a global organization of 100+ finance professionals through multiple management layers including Directors, Associate Directors and Senior Managers.
• Serves as primary escalation point for significant accounting, reporting, operational and stakeholder matters.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Accounting Governance & Leadership

• Provide technical accounting leadership across Banking, Consolidation, Fixed Assets, IDSW, Lease Accounting and Intercompany towers.
• Partner with Corporate Accounting and Accounting Policy teams on implementation of new accounting standards, accounting policy changes and technical accounting guidance.
• Lead resolution of complex accounting issues, accounting judgments and non-routine transactions.
• Ensure consistent application of accounting policies across all entities and regions.

Executive Stakeholder Management

• Act as the primary interface between Global Finance Operations and Corporate Controllers, Regional Controllers, Treasury, Tax, FP&A, Corporate Accounting, External Reporting and Audit leadership.
• Lead executive governance forums and service reviews.
• Influence enterprise decisions through technical accounting expertise and operational insights.

Close Governance & Execution Control

• Lead monthly, quarterly and year-end close governance through structured execution, dependency management and close readiness reviews.
• Confirm readiness across all technical accounting towers before critical close milestones.
• Ensure timely completion of reporting, certification and close activities.

Service Performance (CSL/SLA) Ownership

• Own CSL/SLA delivery across all technical accounting towers.
• Monitor performance trends, identify root causes and drive sustainable improvements.
• Ensure consistent performance measurement through standardized reporting.

SOX / IPE Compliance & Audit Readiness

• Ensure controls are executed consistently across all towers.
• Enforce audit-ready execution, evidence retention and certification standards.
• Drive remediation where control performance or evidence quality is insufficient.

Risk, Controls & Governance

• Maintain enterprise risk and issue management framework across all technical accounting towers.
• Drive proactive identification and mitigation of financial reporting, operational and compliance risks.
• Lead remediation of audit findings, control deficiencies and recurring operational issues.

• People Leadership & Talent Development
• Lead and develop Directors, Associate Directors and Senior Managers.
• Drive succession planning, leadership development and organizational capability building.
• Build a culture of accountability, technical excellence, transparency and continuous improvement.

Transformation & Continuous Improvement

• Drive automation, standardization and process simplification initiatives.
• Partner with GPO, Enablement and FinTech teams to implement transformation roadmaps.
• Sponsor AI, automation and digital finance initiatives.

Financial Stewardship

• Manage resource plans, productivity targets and operational efficiency initiatives.
• Support cost-to-serve optimization and workforce planning across the organization.

Qualifications

• 15-20 years of experience in RTR, Technical Accounting, Controllership, or Financial Reporting, including leadership of large global teams.
• CA, CPA, ACCA, CMA, or equivalent professional qualification preferred.
• Strong expertise in Consolidation & Reporting, Banking, Fixed Assets, Lease Accounting, Intercompany Accounting, and Technical Accounting.
• Deep knowledge of US GAAP, IFRS, SOX/ICFR, audit readiness, and financial controls.
• Proven experience leading global close governance, close orchestration, and service delivery (CSL/SLA) performance.
• Demonstrated success managing multi-layer organizations and partnering with senior stakeholders across Controllers, Treasury, Tax, FP&A, and Audit.
• Hands-on experience with SAP, OneStream, Nakisa, ServiceNow, Coupa TM5, Power BI, and finance automation tools.
• Strong track record of driving automation, AI-enabled transformation, process standardization, and operational excellence.
• Excellent leadership, stakeholder management, risk management, and problem-solving skills.

Additional Information

Our Benefits

• Flexible working environment
• Volunteer time off
• LinkedIn Learning
• Employee-Assistance-Program (EAP)

NIQ may utilize artificial intelligence (AI) tools at various stages of the recruitment process, including résumé screening, candidate assessments, interview scheduling, job matching, communication support, and certain administrative tasks that help streamline workflows. These tools are intended to improve efficiency and support fair and consistent evaluation based on job-related criteria. All use of AI is governed by NIQ's principles of fairness, transparency, human oversight, and inclusion. Final hiring decisions are made exclusively by humans. NIQ regularly reviews its AI tools to help mitigate bias and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. If you have questions, require accommodations, or wish to request human review were permitted by law, please contact your local HR representative. For more information, please visit NIQ's AI Safety Policies and Guiding Principles: https://www.nielseniq.com/global/en/ai-safety-policies.

About NIQ

NIQ is the world's leading consumer intelligence company, delivering the most complete understanding of consumer buying behavior and revealing new pathways to growth. In 2023, NIQ combined with GfK, bringing together the two industry leaders with unparalleled global reach. With a holistic retail read and the most comprehensive consumer insights-delivered with advanced analytics through state-of-the-art platforms-NIQ delivers the Full View™. NIQ is an Advent International portfolio company with operations in 100+ markets, covering more than 90% of the world's population.

For more information, visit NIQ.com

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At NIQ, we are steadfast in our commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace that mirrors the rich diversity of the communities and markets we serve. We believe that embracing a wide range of perspectives drives innovation and excellence. All employment decisions at NIQ are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. We invite individuals who share our dedication to inclusivity and equity to join us in making a meaningful impact. To learn more about our ongoing efforts in diversity and inclusion, please visit the