Director of Corporate Accounting

GENERAL DESCRIPTION / PRIMARY PURPOSE

This position manages the Corporate Accounting functions, oversees and controls the financial functions and consolidation of complex numerous corporate entities, leads the corporate budget process, monitors cash and working capital forecasts, analyzes budget variances. The individual must be able to resolve complicated technical accounting issues and improve and maintain internal controls over financial reporting, including Sarbanes-Oxley compliance. Position will require significant interaction with domestic and foreign divisional controllers, external auditors and corporate executive management. Individual must have a strong knowledge of US GAAP and be able to effectively handle concurrent projects, meet deadlines, provide accounting guidance to divisions, and consistently produce high quality work. This position will also need to assist, when required, in review of SEC filings for Dole Food Company, including preparation of financial statements.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS/DUTIES OF THE POSITION

Lead day-to-day operations of the Corporate Accounting Department including supervising a team of staff, monitoring of the corporate balance sheet and income statement.

Supervise periodic accounting close processes to ensure financial statements and consolidations are prepared timely and accurately.

Ensure all internal management reports and ad hoc reports, including periodic forecasts and comparisons to budget, are completed accurately and timely.

Lead technical accounting process for significant and/or unusual transactions (acquisitions, dispositions, restructurings, debt modifications and refinancing) occurring throughout the year and assist in process to ensure that such transactions are properly accounted for in accordance with US GAAP. Prepare and maintain documentation, including memorandum and technical analysis, to support the Company’s accounting position for such transactions.

Coordinate process for completing analysis supporting complex accounting including accounting for derivatives, stock compensation, and pensions, earnings per share, and tax provision and review and evaluate the analysis prepared by Treasury, Tax Department, and Human Resources supporting the financial statements and related footnotes as applicable.

Proactively research technical accounting and reporting matters including evaluating pending changes in relevant technical guidance. Analyze the potential impact, including the impact on financial modeling and budgeting, on the Company of new accounting standards and frameworks such as IFRS and regularly brief the Corporate Controller as to implications.

Assess, monitor, and update as necessary the Company’s global accounting manual to ensure compliance of the Company’s global accounting policies and practices in accordance with US GAAP and considerations for reporting frameworks such as IFRS. Identify and evaluate alternative accounting treatments as applicable and recommend their application and selection to the Corporate Controller based on that evaluation.

Responsible for the preparation and completion of the annual corporate budget.

Interact with various department heads and divisional controllers, including Dole’s Shared Services in Latin America. Provide guidance for corporate finance policies and procedures.

Interact with external auditors to facilitate audit, and work with internal auditors to improve the accounting policy and procedure. Provide documentations for audit questions from IRS.

Monitor worldwide related party transactions and prepare special reports for Dole’s audit committee.

Assure tax packages are completed timely and accurately.

Develop and enforce internal control procedures to ensure the integrity of accounting data.

Required Skills

JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES (Knowledge, Skill And Experience Requirements)

15+ years Fortune 1000 experience

4+ years of public accounting (Big Four)

Expert understanding of US GAAP

Large multinational corporate experience required

Excellent technical, analytical, written and oral communication skills

Effective managerial skills and the ability to train, delegate, monitor and control subordinates. Must possess a desire to work as a strong team player

Ability to effectively handle and prioritize multiple projects, meet deadlines and consistently produce high quality work

Ability to identify and resolve complex financial and accounting issues

Proficient in PC applications such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel

Experience in using financial database J.D. Edwards and Hyperion Financial Management strongly preferred

ROLE COMPETENCIES

Functional Expertise

Requires broad and comprehensive understanding of different systems, theories and practices

Business Acumen

Applies in-depth understanding of how own discipline integrates within the function

Problem Solving

Directs the resolution of highly complex or unusual business problems applying advanced analytical thought and judgment

Leadership

Manages multiple related teams, sets organizational priorities and allocates resources

Impact

Impacts the business results of a sub-function by supporting and funding of projects, products, services and/or technologies and developing policies and plans

Guided by functional business plans

Interpersonal Skills/ Influence

Influences others internally and externally, including senior leaders

INTERNAL & EXTERNAL RELATIONS

Significant interaction with domestic and foreign divisional controllers, external auditors and corporate executive management.

EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION

BS/BA in Accounting/Economics or related field required.

CPA required

.

EMPLOYEE MANAGEMENT

Manages; has direct reports

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to sit and use a computer for extended periods of time; ability to answer phones, and utilize a variety of office equipment. Ability to lift minimum 25 lbs. and reach overhead

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to travel up to 15%. Possible travel to various divisions, attending conferences or training courses.

Required Experience