Global Senior Chief Accountant, Business Assurance

About the Position

Global Senior Chief Accountant, Business Assurance

Baar, ZG, Switzerland

We are SGS – the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for sustainability, quality, and integrity. Our 99,600 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer, and more interconnected world.

At SGS, we have an open corporate and international culture. We offer a dynamic work environment in a leading global company. Our high professional standards and our sustainability approach guarantee you a future-oriented work environment. We invest in our employees for the long term and are committed to supporting your development within the company. Our business principles include: Integrity, Health, Safety & Environment, Quality & Professionalism, Respect, Sustainability, and Leadership.

Role Overview

As Business Assurance continues to grow as a verticalized global business, SGS BA is seeking a Global Chief Accountant to establish and lead the accounting governance framework across the division. This newly created role will drive accounting consistency, financial governance, and process harmonization across a global network of affiliates while supporting strategic initiatives including acquisitions, business integrations, pricing governance, and digital transformation.

The successful candidate will partner closely with Regional Controllers, Group Accounting, Group Tax, M&A teams, and senior business leaders to develop scalable, compliant, and commercially effective financial practices across the organization.

Responsibilities

Accounting Governance & Financial Reporting

• Develop, implement, and maintain global accounting policies, standards, and governance frameworks for Business Assurance.
• Ensure consistent application of accounting principles, financial reporting standards, and revenue recognition practices across regions and legal entities.
• Standardize accounting treatment of accreditation-related costs and P&L account mapping.

Mergers, Acquisitions & Integration

• Support accounting workstreams related to acquisitions and integrations.
• Review historical financial statements and balance sheets of acquisition targets.
• Conduct accounting assessments and support financial due diligence activities.
• Review purchase price accounting, goodwill calculations, and support post-acquisition reporting requirements & integration.

Pricing Governance & Profitability

• Establish standardized approaches to auditor day-rate calculations and service pricing.
• Improve transparency of cost allocation and profitability drivers.
• Ensure pricing models appropriately consider accreditation, travel, transfer pricing exposure, and other service delivery costs.

Billing & Finance Transformation

• Support the development of centralized and efficient billing structures.
• Review and optimize revenue management and charging methodologies for internal support.
• Partner with Finance and Tax teams to ensure effective billing governance and compliance.

SGS Digital & New Business Models

• Support the accounting and governance framework for SGS BA Digital and investment priority in the digitalization roadmap of BA.
• Establish accounting processes for digital platforms and newly acquired businesses in collaboration with Group Finance and Group Tax.
• Ensure appropriate accounting treatment of software, intellectual property, and related assets.

Stakeholder Management

• Act as a trusted advisor to senior management on accounting, reporting, and governance matters.
• Partner with Regional Controllers, Group Accounting, Group Tax, and business leaders globally.
• Drive adoption of new accounting structures, policies, and governance frameworks across international teams.

Requirements

• Chartered Accountant qualification (ACCA, CPA, CA, or equivalent).
• Minimum 10 years of progressive accounting and finance experience within international organizations.
• Strong technical accounting expertise, including IFRS, financial reporting, and accounting governance.
• Experience within a Big Four environment completed by an operative experience in a multinational organization.
• Proven experience supporting acquisitions, due diligence, and post-acquisition integration activities.
• Experience establishing accounting policies, controls, and governance frameworks.
• Strong understanding of tax and transfer pricing considerations.
• Data literacy and experience with dashboards, analytics, and automation tools is desired.
• Advanced proficiency in financial tools and systems (Excel, BI). Oracle ERP experience would be a strong plus.
• Fluency in English. German and/or French would be advantageous.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong accounting governance and controllership expertise.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing capabilities.
• Ability to build processes, drive change, and implement new structures.
• Commercial mindset with the ability to balance strategic and operational priorities.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively across diverse international teams.

We Offer

• Global and very stable company, world leader in the TIC (Testing, Inspection and Certification) industry.
• Flexible schedule and hybrid/remote model.
• SGS university and Campus for continuous learning options.
• Multinational environment where you will work with colleagues from multiple continents.
• Benefits platform.

About the Company

At SGS, we believe in innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement. We offer a supportive and inclusive work environment that encourages professional growth and personal development.