Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM) is one of the leading architecture, interior design, engineering, and urban planning firms in the world, with a reputation for design excellence and a portfolio that includes some of the most important architecture of the 20th and 21st centuries. Since its inception, SOM has been a leader in the research and development of innovative technologies, processes, and ideas, many of which have had a lasting impact on the built environment. The firm has been honored with more than 1,700 awards. The firm maintains offices in Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., London, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Abu Dhabi, and Mumbai.

SOM's multifaceted practice includes: Architecture, Urban Design and Planning, Structural and Civil Engineering, MEP/Building Services, Interior Design, Environmental Graphics, Digital Design, and Sustainable Design.

Position Overview:

The Financial Controller is to have responsibility for all financial matters in the Shanghai office, and participate as a business leader and advisor to the Partners. The financial controlled will lead other members of the finance team and build successful relationships with the design project teams.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Management accounting - Ensure that all transactions are appropriately posted and that all Billing invoices are raised promptly, including expenses and consultants; take full responsibility for the monthly Office financials on both a cash and accrual basis; deliver actual results in line with Firmwide deadlines.
• Project accounting - Ensure that all projects are being appropriately accounted for and that all projects have an up to date project plan of resourcing and costs in the “Vision” resource management software package.
• Work closely with the Managing Partners and project managers to both provide and interpret project information and guide their decision making with sound financial advice.
• Drive process improvement in the use of Vision and the accounting system to enhance management information.
• Forecasting / Budgeting - Prepare a full budget / reforecast to the end of the Financial Year for the office which includes a full re-assessment of billings, collections of fee revenue and staffing levels based on information from the project managers and Managing Partners; ensure “Vision” reflects the current billing expectations against each project.
• Bid for new work - Provide financial leadership to the bid teams when competing for new work. Advise on potential profitability based on fee structures proposed and where possible ensure that appropriate project plans have been prepared to support fee quotes.
• Income Taxes / TCC’s /VAT / Other Tax - Assist Central Finance in managing/planning SOM Shanghai Corporate Income Taxes: coordinate analysis & meetings with outside tax advisors; obtain Tax Clearance Certificates; manage inter-office payments; review and submit VAT Tax returns, respond to VAT Tax related questions, ensure that VAT Tax transactions are accounted for correctly.
• Internal Audit - Lead staff in developing and performing various internal audit functions to ensure compliance with policies; support Central Finance in developing policies.
• Payroll / Office Lease / Expense Control - Manage Office Payroll including payments to Foreign Nationals / Expats; manage office lease and expense policy management.
• Special Projects - Assist in various special projects from time to time.
• Client Invoicing - Oversee and as appropriate have a hands-on involvement to ensure all invoices are issued in a timely manner; provide all supporting documentation, particularly for reimbursable expense invoices; obtain project manager approval for each invoice; maintain the invoice log of invoices sent; deal with client questions about invoicing, referring them to the project manager if appropriate.
• Receivables - Take responsibility for receivable collection alongside the project managers who have ownership of the outstanding amounts on the projects they are responsible for; ensure non-project related including certain inter-office debts are being collected.
• Banking- Ensure any banking software used maximizes processing efficiency and maintains appropriate safeguards over the company’s assets; ensure that all Bank accounts are reconciled on a routine and timely basis.
• Collaboration – Attend regular virtual meetings with firmwide peers and Central finance group inside and outside of regular office hours.

Please note this job description contains only a partial listing of duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Job Requirements :

• Degree in Accounting. CPA – Preferred.
• Minimum 12 years of accounting experience with a minimum of 5 years as a Controller, Assistant Controller or equivalent.
• Minimum 3 years of Project Accounting experience.
• Experienced in a professional services firm.
• Experienced in Office Management, Staff Management, Budgeting, Financial Analysis, General Ledger, Payables and Receivables.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Hands-on, willing to work with staff and colleagues to enhance processes and comply with Firm Policies.
• Ability to interface and build relationships with Partners, Project Managers, Technical Staff and the Administrative Support Groups.
• Service oriented, accountable, collegial and hard-working.
• Ability to demonstrate leadership skills and to thrive in a matrix organization.
• Ability to prioritize, organize work flows, manage demands and conflicts.

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, printers, and fax machines.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Most work is completed in a professional office environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, or see. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, use hands to handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and carry light objects.

Additional Information:

SOM is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We conduct all employment-related activities without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, medical condition, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or marital status (except where certain characteristics are essential bona fide occupational requirements or where a disability is a bona fide occupational disqualification), as required by applicable law. SOM welcomes diversity in the workplace. SOM will make reasonable accommodation in the application process for applicants with disabilities, as required by applicable law. Please contact the Human Resources department at the location of interest to request accommodation.

We realize that all candidates may not be able to submit an online application. If you cannot submit an online application for a position, please submit your resume, cover letter to the appropriate office (C/O Human Resources) via regular mail. Clearly indicate in the cover letter the position and location to which you are applying. For a complete listing of SOM locations and addresses, please visit the Contact section on our website at www.som.com.

Portfolios must be submitted for all design positions (Architecture, Interiors, Planning, etc). Applications without work samples will not be reviewed . Portfolios should be one PDF attachment, 10-20 pages, maximum 5 MB. Submit portfolios as part of your application in the section where the application asks you for your Resume or CV.