Controller

Location: Melbourne, United States of America

Thales people architect solutions that enable two-thirds of planes to take off and land safely. We create in-flight entertainment systems that engross 50 million fliers every year and we develop the avionics that control the world’s largest commercial aircrafts. Our simulators train the next generation of pilots for fighter jets, transporters and search and rescue helicopters. And, together, each and every member of our aerospace team makes a difference.

When you rely on airlines to connect you in flight, you rely on Thales. In an increasingly fast paced world, we make the unpredictable, predictable by connecting and entertain passengers to make your life better. Combining a diversity of talents, we master the decisive moments that matter to passengers and airlines. Whatever it takes.

The Thales Controller a delegate of the VP of finance and supports the AVS accounting service center and IFE bid and project team. He/she manages the bid and project control function and reporting of IFE Customer Success and acts as a leader of the bid and project control team for all customer projects. He/she is the main contact for the business line in all Customer Success reporting and analysis and provides support and direction to the project control managers. He/she is a Finance Business Partner for all customer projects to support the Finance, Program Management, Customer Delivery, and Executive Teams in a variety of tasks, including but not limited to: financial planning and analysis, budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, project tracking, completing periodic reports and general program tasks as identified by Thales Leadership. In addition to being a Finance Business Partner with the Customer Success Organization, he/she supports the AVS Accounting Service Center by developing process improvements, ensures a timely and accurate close, and assists accounting in system implementations, migrations, and corrections.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES / KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Partner with all levels of the Customer Success organization and Bid and Program Finance to ensure robust financials and operational governance from project bid through set up to project delivery.
• Partner with the AVS accounting team to ensure timely and accurate financial statements, developing process improvements, and supports system implementations, migrations and corrections.
• Responsible for technical support of the business line Customer Success Bid and Project Control and AVS Accounting organization to interface with ISIT/AMS.
• Responsible for sustaining Customer Success Bid and Project Control and AVS Accounting SAP structure and any related development.
• Responsible for reviewing and approving, if needed as the VP Finance delegate, bids and EACs. Ensuring that all activities are in accordance with the Group, GBU, and business line goals, policies, and procedures.
• Lead the IFE Bid and Project and AVS Accounting team’s development of standardized processes, procedures, systems, and reporting.
• Highlight / manage BL program risks and opportunities to the Customer Success Leadership and VP Finance in conjunction with the Program Managers, Bid and Project Control Managers, and Bid and Project Controllers.
• Responsible for ensuring all program reviews are completed accurately by the project control team: Ensuring the planning, tracking, analysis, and reporting on projects of varying contract type, size, complexity, and level of risk is appropriate.
• Build financial scenario analysis to explain the financial impacts of program(s) decisions whenever requested.
• Ensure that all program financial baselines are prepared accurately and reported appropriately by the project control team including the initial budget, validating changes and maintaining updated business plans over the life of each program with appropriate tracking of assumptions and related variances analysis.
• Responsible for consolidating all monthly forecasting and multi-year budgets (MYB) to include order intake, revenue and gross margin for all programs in the BL.
• Ensure costs against all programs are properly recorded, reconciled and analyzed by the project control team.
• Ensure with Customer Delivery, Program Management, Bid & Project Control, and Accounts Receivable that all the components of revenue are accounted for in accordance with the contractual terms: billing, credit, rebates, advances, etc.
• Ensure with Customer Delivery, Program Management, Bid & Project Control, and Accounts Receivable that all outstanding accounts receivable are collectible or make the necessary decisions with leadership to address.
• Responsible for the evaluation and program assessment of contingencies, project efficiencies, and analysis at the BL level.
• Ensure the bid and program control team is evaluating and assessing program contingencies and program efficiency metrics, reviewing trends and providing forward looking analysis to the customer delivery team.
• Accountable for ensuring all program financials are consistent with all internal policies & procedures.
• Ensuring all support for internal and external auditors' reviews are complete and that full documentation and account reconciliations, including but not limited to, program estimates at completion, are provided in a timely manner.

Chorus Role(s):

• Financial Controller

Minimum Requirements: Skills, Experience, Education, Technical/Specialized Knowledge, Certifications, Language:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Accounting with 10 years of relevant accounting, or finance related experience or a Master’s degree in Finance or Accounting with 6 years of relevant accounting or finance related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Financial analysis and financial modeling experience, budgeting, forecasting, and planning required.
• Prior experience managing budgets, conducting in-depth financial analysis, creating and driving recommendations required
• Prior experience with principles of revenue and cost recognition and deferral, and financial statements required
• Prior experience with preparing estimates to complete and program analysis required
• Financial Systems (i.e. SAP, Hyperion, Primavera, BPC) experience
• Strong computer skills (Microsoft Office), including advanced Microsoft Excel experience required
• Ability to handle multiple financial projects and adapt to changing priorities
• Ability to work independently and as a leader to provide sound financial advice to Executive Management, Customer Success, Bid and Project Control, and AVS Accounting
• Excellent judgment, planning and organizational skills
• Analytical rigor and detail orientation
• Ability to receive general instructions on what is to be done, limitations, quality and quantity expected, deadlines, and priority of assignments from VP Finance.
• Uses initiative to ensure all recurring assignments independently without specific instruction are completed accurately and on time.
• Receives additional specific instructions from VP Finance for new or special projects/assignments

Preferred Qualifications:

• Accounting and project control background
• Strong attention to detail
• SAP knowledge
• Strong Excel skills

Physical Demands

• Typical office environment – no specialized physical requirements

þ Schedule: Core hours are 9am-5pm ET or PT. If located in Melbourne, it is anticipated that the position will work 9 hours per day Monday – Thursday, 8 hours on the 1st Friday and off the 2nd Friday

þ Travel: As much as 25% travel anticipated annually, predominantly domestic travel with the possibility of international travel on an infrequent basis.

(The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed in this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, and really additional responsibilities may be assigned, as required by management.)

Thales is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

This position will require successfully completing a post-offer background check. Qualified candidates with [a] criminal history will be considered and are not automatically disqualified, consistent with federal law, state law, and local ordinances.

Successful applicant must comply with federal contractor vaccine mandate requirements.

Thales champions inclusion and we believe diversity strengthens the fabric of our culture. We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law

If you need an accommodation or assistance in order to apply for a position with Thales, please contact us at talentacquisition@us.thalesgroup.com .