Director, Global Accounting AI Transformation at IFS · Staines-u…

Company Description

IFS is a billion-dollar revenue company with 7000+ employees on all continents. Our leading AI technology is the backbone of our award-winning enterprise software solutions, enabling our customers to be their best when it really matters–at the Moment of Service™. Our commitment to internal AI adoption has allowed us to stay at the forefront of technological advancements, ensuring our colleagues can unlock their creativity and productivity, and our solutions are always cutting-edge.

At IFS, we’re flexible, we’re innovative, and we’re focused not only on how we can engage with our customers but on how we can make a real change and have a worldwide impact. We help solve some of society’s greatest challenges, fostering a better future through our agility, collaboration, and trust.

We celebrate diversity and understand our responsibility to reflect the diverse world we work in. We are committed to promoting an inclusive workforce that fully represents the many different cultures, backgrounds, and viewpoints of our customers, our partners, and our communities. As a truly international company serving people from around the globe, we realize that our success is tantamount to the respect we have for those different points of view.

By joining our team, you will have the opportunity to be part of a global, diverse environment; you will be joining a winning team with a commitment to sustainability; and a company where we get things done so that you can make a positive impact on the world.

We’re looking for innovative and original thinkers to work in an environment where you can #MakeYourMoment so that we can help others make theirs. With the power of our AI-driven solutions, we empower our team to change the status quo and make a real difference.

If you want to change the status quo, we’ll help you make your moment. Join Team Purple. Join IFS.

Job Description

As Director, Global Accounting AI Transformation, you will lead the end-to-end design and delivery of AI-enabled transformation across the Global Accounting function, spanning:

• Group Accounting (Consolidation & Statutory Reporting)
• Record-to-Report (R2R) across all entities
• Group Tax (including global compliance and filings)
• Revenue Recognition (including deal support and review processes)

This role will drive the shift from manual, process-heavy accounting operations to scalable, AI-enabled workflows.

You will partner closely with Global Accounting leadership, IT, and the AI Business Unit to embed AI into core accounting processes, ensuring improved efficiency and stronger controls.

Key Responsibilities

Accounting AI Transformation

• Define and own the AI transformation roadmap across R2R, consolidation, tax, and revenue recognition
• Lead redesign of core Accounting processes to become AI-first (e.g. close, reconciliations, tax filings, rev rec reviews)
• Move beyond incremental automation to end-to-end workflow transformation
• Embed AI agents and automation into:
  • Close & consolidation processes
  • Reconciliation and control frameworks
  • Tax compliance and reporting
  • Revenue recognition and deal validation
• Own end-to-end delivery of AI initiatives: from idea → design → deployment → adoption
• Ensure all AI solutions align with Accounting control frameworks, audit requirements, and compliance standards
• Strengthen controls through:
  • Automated validation and exception handling
  • Improved audit trails and transparency
  • Risk detection and monitoring
• Build capability within teams to design, use, and scale AI workflows
• Drive adoption through:
  • Training and AI fluency programmes
  • Workflow standardisation
  • Clear ownership and accountability
• Align with broader Finance transformation programmes and operating model changes

Qualifications

Ideal Experience

• Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CPA or equivalent) preferred
• Experience leading Global Accounting, Controllership or Shared Services functions
• Experience operating within a publicly listed, multi-entity international organisation
• Deep knowledge of:
  • IFRS and US GAAP
  • SOX / Internal Controls
  • External Audit requirements
  • Global tax and transfer pricing environments
• Experience managing complex month-end and quarter-end close processes across multiple jurisdictions

AI & Technology Experience

• Experience deploying AI, Generative AI, Agentic AI or Intelligent Automation solutions within Finance functions
• Experience leveraging Copilot, LLMs, AI agents, RPA, workflow orchestration and automation platforms
• Understanding of AI governance, model risk management and Responsible AI principles
• Experience building business cases and value realisation frameworks for AI investments
• Strong understanding of Finance data architecture and master data management

Additional Leadership Requirements

• Proven experience leading enterprise-wide Finance transformation programmes exceeding multiple regions or business units
• Experience designing and implementing Finance Target Operating Models
• Track record of driving adoption and behavioural change in complex organisations
• Ability to influence executive stakeholders including:
  • CFO
  • CAO
  • Group Controller
  • CIO etc

Additional Information

We embrace flexibility and hybrid work opportunities to support diverse needs and lifestyles, while also valuing inclusive workplace experiences. By fostering a sense of community, we drive innovation, strengthen connections, and nurture belonging. Our commitment ensures you can work in a way that suits you best, while also engaging with colleagues to share ideas and build meaningful relationships.