Assistant Vice President of Consolidations

ABOUT SOTHEBY'S

Established in 1744, Sotheby’s is the world’s premier destination for art and luxury. Sotheby’s promotes access to and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions and buy-now channels including private sales, e-commerce and retail. Our trusted global marketplace is supported by an industry-leading technology platform and a network of specialists spanning 40 countries and 70 categories which include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits, and Design, as well as collectible cars and real estate. Sotheby’s believes in the transformative power of art and culture and is committed to making our industries more inclusive, sustainable and collaborative.

THE ROLE

Reporting to the Senior Vice President, Global Controller, the Assistant Vice President (“AVP”) of Consolidations, is a key accounting role in our Corporate reporting group with responsibility for overseeing our monthly and quarterly financial consolidation processes, supporting the maintenance of our general ledger chart of accounts and metadata hierarchy in each of the Hyperion Financial Management (“HFM”) consolidation system and the SAP general ledger, amongst other global book close responsibilities.  This role will serve as a financial systems expert in HFM and will partner with other key Sotheby’s functional areas including Financial Planning and Analysis, Treasury, Tax and Legal in addition to the Corporate Controller’s Group.   The AVP of Consolidations, will play a significant role in steering and developing the accounting organization and will have broad opportunities to expand their skills and develop their career.  An ideal candidate will possess a strong desire to learn and an ability to identify and resolve issues as they arise.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage the consolidated monthly close process ensuring a complete and accurate book close and corporate consolidation, while guiding the Company on a pathway to constant improvement in terms of quality and speed of close.
• Support the maintenance of the Company’s general ledger chart of accounts and metadata hierarchy in the HFM consolidation system and in SAP, including maintaining and updating key accounts, legal entities, departments, updating reports, structural changes in both US GAAP and internal management roll-up hierarchies, ensuring corporate foreign exchange rates are accurately reflected in the systems, reconciliation of intercompany accounts and related charges, etc.
• Provide strong counsel and guidance to Sotheby’s finance teams and consolidated subsidiaries on the proper method to record a variety of transactions (setting up new accounts, statutory entries that eliminate at the group level, dissolution of corporate entities, recording new accounts below Adjusted EBITDA but part of the GAAP hierarchy, intercompany dividends and capital contributions, settling of intercompany accounts, etc.)
• Provide detailed, complete and accurate preparation and/or reviews of assigned journal entries, analyses and reconciliations of data.  This includes executing a number of processes in SAP and HFM (e.g. process monthly depreciation, prepare consolidating/top-side journal entries, related party/intercompany transactions and analysis, non-controlling interests, rolling forward the general ledger, etc.)
• Support the preparation of the quarterly US GAAP cash flow statement, including analysis of intercompany transactions, preparation of the notes receivable and fixed asset roll-forwards, amongst other potential areas. 
• Assist the SVP, Corporate Controller with external audit activities (including onboarding new auditors), ad hoc financial reports and related requests, and special projects.
• Own the preparation of periodic government reporting forms (e.g. Bureau of Economic Analysis surveys, etc.)
• Ensure that existing procedures are compliant with Internal Control requirements and actively drive improvement in processes.
• Work across the organization to provide strong partnership with business units and departments including Treasury, Tax, Legal, Financial Planning and Analysis, Executive Management and others.
• Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to value added output.

IDEAL EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES

• Bachelor’s Degree required in Accounting. 
• 8 Years of progressive accounting experience in a combination of public and private companies (preferably in a corporate consolidations role), multinational experience a plus.
• Active CPA license preferred.
• Significant expertise in HFM metadata management is a requirement for this position as this role will support the HFM consolidation system and process.  SAP experience is strongly preferred.  Strong Microsoft Excel skills required. 
• Exceptional organization skills with an eye towards efficiency, process improvement, data integrity and reconciliation of information.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with ability to explain key concepts (systems, corporate consolidations, etc) to broad audiences.
• Ability to anticipate change and work effectively in environment with shifting issues and priorities.
• An analytical mindset with an inclination to think outside the box.
• Professional demeanor with sound interpersonal skills.
• May require later evenings on occasion during the monthly close process (as well as the forecasting and budgeting process) to manage the close data load and/or forecast uploads to meet critical deadlines. 

The proposed base salary for this position ranges from $140,000-$175,000. In addition to base salary successful candidates are eligible to receive a discretionary bonus, as well as a competitive benefits package. Salary offers are based on a wide range of factors including relevant skills, training, experience, education, and, where applicable, licensure or certifications obtained. Market and organizational factors are also considered. 

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The Company is an equal opportunity employer and considers all applicants for employment without regard to race (including, without limitation, traits historically associated with race, such as natural hair, hair texture, and protective and treated or untreated hairstyles), color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership/union status, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic predisposition, genetic information, reproductive health decision, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, alienage or citizenship status, domestic violence victim status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province or local law. The Company complies with applicable state and local laws prohibiting discrimination in employment in every jurisdiction in which it operates.