At Ferrara, Ferrero, Fox’s Burton’s, and The Fine Biscuits Company, we’re loved by people of all generations for the joy we bring—and that joy is crafted by our people. Join us and explore a whole world to discover, where your passion will find its place.

Today, Ferrara is the #1 sugar confectioner in the U.S, with global sales in more than 40 countries. Ferrara boasts a passionate team of over 9,000 employees around the world who deliver and create hundreds of iconic and beloved products.

In the U.S., more than 67 million households annually enjoy our popular brands like NERDS®, Brach’s®, Jelly Belly®, SweeTARTS®, Laffy Taffy®, and Trolli®.  In Brazil, Dori has become a household name with snacking products that include brands such as Dori, Gomets, Pettiz, and Yogurte 100. And, in France, Carambar & Co have earned generations of loyal customers through the timeless appeal of iconic candy and chocolate brands such as Carambar, Lutti, Krema, Poulain, Vichy and Terry’s. A privately held company, Ferrara Group is headquartered in Chicago. Ferrara boasts a network of over 30 locations in North America, South America, Europe and Asia Pacific that includes manufacturing, distribution, sales, and R&D facilities.

Learn more at www.ferrara.com or www.linkedin.com/company/ferrara-/

Director, Corporate Accounting

Work Location: ​Chicago​

Due to the highly interactive and team-based nature of this role, in-person attendance for most of the workweek (i.e., 3 days or more) is essential for: effective communication including during in-person meetings, strong supervision, real-time problem-solving, and participation in cross-functional initiatives.

Want to make an impact?

The Director of Corporate Accounting is responsible for maintaining and directing the global monthly financial close process and ensuring all functions and subsidiaries follow the Company’s global policies and procedures over the financial close in order to deliver accurate and complete financial information and decision support to leadership.

Ways you will make a difference

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

  • Supports the Company’s S4/HANA and Analytics journey and execute mergers and  integration playbook, as needed
  • Monitor intercompany and related party activities and providing summarized reporting for business partners including optimizing related party processes
  • Direct the Company’s fixed asset and project accounting process including strong partnership with Engineering and Business Functions driving strong controls and reporting:
    • Monitor and report new capital projects
    • Review and forecast depreciation expense
    • Work with various individuals across the organization to ensure appropriate capitalization and disposals of fixed assets
    • Review capital requests for accounting and reporting implications
    • Review findings of quarterly fixed asset observations including impairment, transfers and idle assets
  • Facilitate monthly P&L and Balance Sheet reviews for Domestic and International segments
    • Analyze financial statement activity to proactively identify opportunities or risk to facilitate overall accuracy of financial records
    • Develop financial models, including transfer price calculations, and analytics to support growth initiatives and business trends
    • Partner with International Finance to assess profitability and partner with Treasury to assess funding needs
    • Oversee statutory reporting audit requirements
  • Development of new processes and control improvements as needed by the business to support growth, strategy shifts, and/or “continuous improvement initiatives”
  • Facilitate internal cross-functional trainings as needed in order to increase awareness and efficiencies with our efforts for automations within our accounting platform
  • Monitor and ensure timely identification and compliance with evolving accounting guidance, provide US GAAP interpretation and prepare technical memorandums that document issues in a clear, logical and comprehensive manner
  • Manage communications with external auditors on external financial statements and accounting issues to ensure auditor agreement with company decisions on accounting disclosures, and issues
  • Ensures adherence to all company policies and procedures
  • Understands and demonstrates the Company’s core values
  • Performs other duties and special projects, as assigned, including implementing operating efficiencies within the department (i.e. system / process implementations, reporting enhancements, etc.) and requests from key stakeholders

Skills that will make you successful

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. 

  • Demonstrates financial modeling skills and knowledge of the correlation between cash flow, balance sheet and income statement
  • Strong communication skills including verbal, group presentations and written communication while leveraging program management skillsets for integration and cross-functional engagements
  • Experience handling large multi-task and deadline oriented projects
  • Analytical problem solver
  • Ability to excel in fast paced high pressure environment
  • Organized and able to prioritize work effectively
  • Detail-oriented but able to convert into meaningful summary
  • Comfortable pushing others with diplomacy
  • Positive attitude with intellectual curiosity and eagerness to learn
  • Comfortable with ambiguity

Experiences that will support your success

  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting
  • CPA certification required
  • Minimum 7+ years accounting experience across multiple areas preferably with manufacturing or consumer products companies
  • Public accounting, preferably Big 4 or large regional firm, experience a plus
  • High proficiency in MS Excel and Office Suite
  • SAP (including S4/HANA) and Oracle EPM / FCCS experience a plus
  • Superior written and oral communication skills
  • Previous management experience a plus
  • US GAAP and IFRS experience preferred

What We Offer

At Ferrara, we're proud to support our employees with comprehensive benefits that enhance health, financial wellness, and include paid time off (PTO).  Eligible employees may also receive an annual bonus based on company performance. Learn more about our benefits at https://flimp.live/Ferrara-Benefits-Resource-Center

Compensation

 The salary range for this role is $130,725 - $183,015 annually.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, employment decisions and opportunities at Ferrara will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital or civil union status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, military or veteran status, disability, handicap, genetic information, pregnancy (childbirth or related medical condition), or on any other basis prohibited by law. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.


Nearest Major Market: Chicago