Senior Project Owner (Accounting Division-AP+AR)
Overview
ARDEM Data Services is seeking a highly experienced and knowledgeable Senior Project Owner (SPO) to join our Accounting Division. This critical role requires a rare combination of deep expertise in accounting principles, a knack for designing outsourced finance solutions, and proven project management and leadership skills.
The ideal candidate will leverage their extensive accounting background to act as a subject matter expert (SME) during the sales cycle, and then lead the successful implementation and ongoing management of complex finance and accounting (F&A) outsourcing projects for our clients.
Responsibilities and Duties :
The Senior Project Owner's responsibilities are divided into such core areas :
Project Management & Client Communication-
- End-to-End Project Management : Oversee multiple, concurrent F&A outsourcing projects, ensuring they are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget.
- Client Relationship Management : Serve as the main point of contact for high-value clients, maintaining strong, consultative relationships and managing expectations throughout the project lifecycle.
- Workflow Development : Design and develop detailed workflow processes and comprehensive work instructions for the delivery team.
- Quality & Compliance : Implement rigorous Quality Assurance (QA) and auditing processes, leveraging a deep understanding of accounting standards to ensure all work product meets internal quality and client / regulatory compliance requirements.
Accounting Process Oversight-
Supervise Accounts Payable (AP) and Accounts Receivable (AR) functions , including invoice processing, reconciliations, payment runs, aging reports, and vendor / customer query resolution.Review and validate accounting entries for accuracy and compliance with accounting principles (GAAP / IFRS).Ensure accurate and timely month-end and year-end closings.Oversee cash flow tracking, expense management, and accrual accounting.Identify discrepancies through reconciliation and initiate corrective actions.Team Management & Mentorship (The Leadership Role)-
Team Leadership : Lead, mentor, and manage a team of Process Associates, providing clear direction, technical guidance, and performance feedback.Resource Optimization : Assign tasks and responsibilities to ensure the optimal and efficient utilization of team resources across all assigned projects.Team Leadership and Quality Control-
Lead and mentor a team of accounting analysts and process associates to ensure project excellence.Conduct regular performance reviews, provide structured feedback, and identify training needs.Review work output to maintain accuracy, consistency, and compliance with quality standards.Drive continuous improvement initiatives for better efficiency and accuracy in accounting workflows.Solutions Design & Sales Support (The Strategic Role)-
Subject Matter Expertise : Act as the primary Accounting and Finance SME for the sales team, providing deep technical insights to prospective clients.Solution Design & Sales : Analyse complex client F&A operations (e.g., Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, General Ledger, Reporting ) to design, propose, and "sell" tailored Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and Business Process Automation (BPA) solutions.Process Improvement Consulting : Collaborate with internal teams and clients to perform a thorough analysis of their existing finance processes, identifying areas for efficiency gains, cost reduction, and quality improvement through ARDEM's services.Documentation & Presentation : Develop high-quality proposals and presentations to clearly articulate the value proposition and implementation strategy to client stakeholders.Reporting & Analysis-
Prepare detailed client and internal reports covering process performance, financial summaries, and SLA adherence.Provide analytical insights for decision-making, variance analysis, and cost optimization.Create dashboards and visual reports to communicate progress and highlight bottlenecks.Required Experience, Skills, and Qualifications-
Education : Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Engineering or a closely related field.
Experience : Proven 10+ years of professional experience that includes :
Significant experience in project management or similar delivery / consulting roles.Experience managing multiple client accounts in parallelExtensive, demonstrable knowledge of accounting principles and practices (e.g., US GAAP, internal controls).Experience in designing, implementing, or selling BPO / BPA solutions , particularly within the finance and accounting domain.Core Competencies-
Financial Acumen : Ability to analyse and discuss complex financial processes with senior finance leaders.
Consultative Sales Support : Proven ability to support a sales process by serving as the technical / SME expert.
Project Management Skills : Strong grasp of project management methodologies (PMP or Six Sigma certification is a plus ).
Communication : Exceptional communication skills in English, both written and verbal, for effective client and team management.
Problem-Solving : Strong analytical, root cause analysis, and corrective action skills.
ERP and Process Automation-
Lead implementation, configuration, and optimization of ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle NetSuite, Sage, QuickBooks, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar).Create and maintain master data, workflows, and reporting dashboards within ERP platforms.Collaborate with technical teams to automate recurring accounting and reporting tasks.Generate and analyse ERP-based reports for financial insights, KPIs, and performance reviews.Train team members on ERP navigation, reporting tools, and compliance practices.Technical Requirements-
System : Windows laptop / desktop (Intel i5 or higher, minimum 8GB RAM).Screen : Minimum 14 inches, Full HD (1920×1080 resolution).Internet : High-speed broadband connection (100 Mbps or higher).Software : AnyDesk for remote connectivity