Senior Director – Accounting and ESG Controller

Senior Director – Accounting and ESG Controller

Requirements

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in accounting or finance, ideally with experience in public company reporting with an interest in emerging and evolving sustainability matters a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field; with a CPA certification required.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with various stakeholders.
• Detail-oriented with a high level of accuracy in work.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to engage in ongoing training programs to stay current with new regulatory and reporting requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross functional teams in a highly matrixed environment.
• Experience in data management, collection and integration.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and analyze and benchmark accounting, reporting and controls trends and best practices to continuously improve Baxter’s performance and close process.
• Identify, scope and manage complex global accounting projects (e.g., chart of accounts, close process improvement, etc.).
• Develop detail project plans, timelines, and budgets that can be tracked and reported out to various stakeholders.
• Lead, develop and implement industry-leading and regulatory compliant reporting for accounting projects such as the ESG reporting, including the preparation and submission of reports in alignment with global regulations including but not limited to EU CSRD, EU Taxonomy, CS3D and California SB253/SB261 and continually emerging regulations.
• Conduct gap analysis to identify entities impacted and data sources required for compliance with global regulations.
• Collaborate globally and cross functionally to ensure compliance and gather necessary data, including financial reporting, policy and controls, internal audit, legal, treasury, financial planning and analysis, supply chain, human resources, communications, and procurement teams (e.g., legal entity rationalization project).
• Provide guidance and training to the relevant stakeholders and employees on changes to policies, processes, accounts, entities, and controls partnering closely with the policies and controls group as well as internal audit.
• Develop and implement a communication plan for stakeholder groups.
• Design, implement and maintain effective internal controls and documentation ensuring the accuracy and completeness of data and reports.
• Ensure compliance with the ESG regulations standards and frameworks (e.g., CSRD, SEC, GRI, SASB, TCFD, and ISSB standards).
• Stay current with changes in global reporting requirements and ensure that Baxter’s reporting processes are compliant with the latest regulations.
• Coordinate audits and liaise with external and internal auditors.
• Lead the evolution of the various internal and external global audit processes for any projects, including the external assurance of ESG metrics.
• Oversee the alignment of legacy systems with new reporting requirements including necessary IT upgrades.
• Collaborate with IT and other departments to identify develop and implement new IT software for any projects, such as that needed for ESG tracking, reporting and compliance and close process.
• Prepare and deliver presentations to the board of directors, senior management, and external stakeholders on ESG performance and other accounting and reporting initiatives.
• Responsibility for overseeing, budgeting and forecasting Baxter’s compliance and reporting costs for all projects.

Preferred Qualifications

• Project management experience with experience in financial reporting or technical accounting in a public company SOX compliant environment preferred.
• Demonstrated understanding of ESG reporting requirements, including EU CSRD, CS3D, Taxonomy and California SB253/SB261.