Director, Accounting (Record to Report) - ABM Industries

Overview

ABM (NYSE: ABM) is a leading provider of facility solutions with revenues of approximately $8 billion and over 120,000 employees in 300+ offices deployed throughout the United States and various international locations. ABM’s comprehensive capabilities include electrical & lighting, energy solutions, facilities engineering, HVAC & mechanical, janitorial, landscape & turf, mission critical solutions and parking, provided through stand-alone or integrated solutions. Founded in 1909, ABM provides custom facility solutions in urban, suburban, and rural areas to properties of all sizes — from schools and commercial buildings to hospitals, data centers, manufacturing plants and airports.

The Director of Accounting (Record to Report) is responsible for delivering the reimagined enterprise template design (ETD) process design for the full Record to Report workstream.  ABM is in the process of transforming the finance operating model, maturing the shared services operation, which includes the record to report processes and responsibilities.  The Director will lead the Enterprise Services Center (ESC) accounting team and drive the implementation of the model and ensure business processes meet the intended design. 

This role is responsible for ABM’s monthly financial close and reconciliation of the general ledger account balances across all Industry Groups. This includes developing a metrics-based program to identify opportunities for and developing continuous improvement plans. The ability to build partnerships, leverage insights to create strategy and work in agile environment quickly and adapt is fundamental to the success of this role. 

The Director manages, develops, motivates, and mentors the team to ensure optimal enterprise level service is delivered as part of the ESC’s Service Culture initiative.  The Director also collaborates across several functions within ABM and the Enterprise Services Center (ESC), including but not limited to Operations, FP&A, Accounts Payable, Accounting and Accounts Receivable. 

This role is responsible for developing an environment heavily focused on customer service, including accuracy, timely action, and accountability. The ability to connect with partners, to learn quickly and adapt is fundamental to the success of this role.

Job Responsibilities:

• Establish and lead team to partner with field operations and FP&A to perform monthly financial accounting function as an enterprise level shared service center in accordance with GAAP standards.  This includes performing financial transaction, reconciling general ledger account balances, and ensuring the accuracy of financial statements.
• Establish a metrics-based reporting program to ensure established KPI’s and standards of the Month-End Close process are met in accordance with the enterprise template design.  Provide regular communication and updates to ABM’s leadership team regarding progress and issues to achieve improvement goals.  Ensure the team is engaged in delivering service based on established principles, including metrics. Take corrective action when needed to adjust processes for defects.
• Be a strategic partner to field operations to help achieve ABM’s overall business goals and objectives.  Develop strategic plans for the ESC for continuous improvements and to bring additional services to the field.
• Establish and maintain a culture of service. This culture includes ensuring team ownership of responsibilities, ensuring solutions are a “win” for shared services while also being a “win” for operations and our clients, establishing and nurturing relationships with the field operations teams, counterparts in the ESC, and stakeholders and partners in FP&A, IT, HR, Internal Audit, and others. Ensure there is two-way communication and a feedback loop to optimize process outcomes.
• Direct, mentor, and support team members, including performance evaluation, hiring decisions, and training (technical and leadership skills).
• Establish robust communication plans and maintain open lines of communication with counterparts, clients, and stakeholders, including routine insights on pre-planned cadences.
• Address internal and external escalations as well as high profile and/or complex situations in a timely and accurately manner.
• Ensure timely and accurate preparation of reporting (billing & account status, metrics, effectiveness, etc.) and attend monthly / quarterly calls with Branches / Operations / FP&A.
• Work other duties and special projects as assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and CPA required
• 12+ years of financial close experience; with 6+ years of leadership experience in a shared services environment
• Experience in setting and driving strategic direction
• Experience with turning around shared service environment preferred
• Experience with financial / SOX audit is required; Knowledge of ASC 606 is required
• Experience with setting culture standards tied to performance measures
• Experience with large ERP systems, preferred JDE and Oracle Financials
• Experience with developing and leading large finance team organization of 50+ employees
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to engage with ABM executives across the organization and influence up, down and across (internally and externally)
• Strong sense of urgency for addressing internal and external customer needs
• Strong attention to detail
• Strong interpersonal and organization skills
• Strong ability to prioritize tasks and effectively manage time of self and others
• Willingness to accept new challenges and responsibilities
• Work well in a team environment and support others within the group when needed

ABM offers a comprehensive benefits package.  For information about ABM’s benefits, visit ABM Employee Benefits | Staff & Management