Head of Accounting (m/f/d)

Location: Stuttgart, Germany

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Thales in Germany is part of an internationally leading technology group in the defence and security, aerospace as well as cyber security and digital identity markets.

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Head of Accounting (m/f/d) in Ditzingen #LI-HYBRID (Ref. Nr. R0336319)

As the Head of Accounting you will lead a team responsible for the full spectrum of accounting: ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely financial accounting and statutory closing processes. Driving operational excellence and ensuring compliance with best-in-class regulatory standards and reporting directly to the Director Shared Services of Thales Germany. Working closely with internal and external stakeholders, you will act as a key business partner and interface to Reporting, Tax, Financial Governance, Controlling, Treasury, and other Finance functions, ensuring alignment across the organization and supporting high-quality financial information for statutory and group purposes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the Accounting function, covering General Ledger, Sub-ledgers, and Financial Accounting.
• Own the quarterly, and annual closing process in accordance with HGB and IFRS, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely execution.
• Ensure the preparation of statutory financial statements in compliance with applicable accounting standards, legal requirements, and corporate policies.
• Oversee internal and external financial reporting, ensuring transparency for stakeholders (e.g., executives, auditors, regulators) and act as the key accounting interface to the Reporting team
• Implement robust accounting policies and controls to safeguard financial integrity.
• Collaborate closely with the Tax function, ensuring accounting implications of tax matters are appropriately reflected in the financial statements while coordinating cross-functional activities.
• Continuously improve accounting to enhance efficiency and quality by overseeing daily operations and ensuring robust finance compliance.
• Drive effective delivery and continuous improvement initiatives in Finance and Controlling.
• Serve as key contact for internal and external auditors, statutory authorities, and internal stakeholders on accounting-related matters by fostering transparency, accuracy, and compliance.
• Provide expert support for accounting related to M&A and corporate transactions.
• Strengthen governance and risk management frameworks in finance.
• Foster collaboration and stakeholder engagement across functions, domains, and global business units, maintaining regular partnership with Thales entities across Europe.
• Implement strategic workforce planning, talent development, and succession management.
• Champion automation and digital transformation through the integration of business intelligence tools.

Stakeholder Management:

You will serve as the main interface for internal stakeholders and foster strong relationships with external authorities, consultants, auditors, tax advisors, authorities, banks, and pension funds.

Innovation & Complexity:

Navigate complexity in an international matrix organization, balancing legal and management responsibilities while meeting corporate requirements. Apply advanced analytical and theoretical expertise to deliver practical, high-impact solutions in dynamic business development and restructuring contexts. Operate independently to solve problems, consulting with senior finance leaders for solutions that go beyond established frameworks. Continuously improve methodologies, tools, and processes to comply with evolving accounting standards, increase productivity, and optimize management reporting. Drive process harmonization and automation, unlocking efficiency potential by collaborating across national and international stakeholders.

Team Leadership:

Provide effective disciplinary and functional leadership to a team of six direct reports. Enable integrated decision-making, cross-functional collaboration, and serve as the principal contact for regulatory authorities and auditors.

We are looking forward to:

• Master's degree or equivalent in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Extensive experience with IFRS and local GAAP accounting, audit and taxation.
• Minimum 5 years in a finance leadership role within an international group or Big Four audit firm.
• Professional certifications such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or German Certified Tax Advisor (Steuerberater) are considered a strong advantage.
• Advanced proficiency in MS Office, SAP, and business intelligence tools.
• Exceptional communication, stakeholder management, and analytical abilities; able to synthesize and present insights for strategic planning and executive decision-making.
• Demonstrated leadership in cross-functional, matrix teams; strong problem-solving and entrepreneurial mindset. xayajpt
• Proven ability to influence and persuade stakeholders.
• Expertise in conflict reso