Chief Accounting Officer

Netafim is part of Orbia, a community of companies working together to tackle some of the world's most complex challenges. We are bound by a common purpose: To Advance Life Around the World. Netafim is the global leader in smart irrigation solutions for a sustainable future. With 29 subsidiaries, 17 manufacturing plants and 4,300 employees worldwide, Netafim delivers innovative solutions to growers of all sizes, from smallholders to large-scale agricultural producers, in over 110 countries.

The Opportunity

The Chief Accounting Officer (CAO) is a pivotal senior executive responsible for strategically steering the accounting organization. This role focuses on ensuring compliance with accounting standards, optimizing financial reporting processes, and implementing robust internal controls to safeguard the company's financial integrity. The CAO will lead and cultivate a high-performing accounting team, fostering collaboration and efficiencies across departments, to enhance the company's financial health and transforming the accounting operations into a best-in-class organization.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic partner to the CFO:

o Collaborate with the CFO to formulate and implement financial strategies that align with the organization's overall goals

o Analyze financial data and metrics to provide insights that support strategic decision-making

o Identify financial risks and develop strategies to mitigate them, ensuring the organization remains compliant

o Advice on financial implications of strategic initiatives, including M&A, complex contracts, hyperinflaction, FX hedging, and vendor factoring

o Oversee working capital analysis, key performance indicators, and FCF/BS forecasting

Financial reporting and compliance

o Prepare and present accurate financial statements, ensuring compliance with IFRS, and other regulatory requirements

o Establish and maintain Group accounting policies in alignment with the parent company

o Oversee the month-end, quarter-end, and year-end closing processes, ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting

o Provide financial oversight of subsidiaries, delivering insights and supporting local finance teams

o Continuously enhance global accounting processes and systems

SOX & Internal Controls

o Oversee the company's SOX compliance activities

o Develop, implement, and maintain a robust internal control framework to prevent fraud and inaccuracies in financial reporting

o Conduct regular risk assessments to identify potential weaknesses in internal controls and develop strategies to mitigate these risks

o Ensure readiness for audits and support a culture of compliance and financial integrity

o Partner closely with internal auditors, lead all audit preparations, take corrective actions, and ensure compliance with audit recommendations

o Continuously evaluate and improve internal control processes and systems to adapt to changes in regulations and business operations

Taxation

o Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local tax laws and regulations, including timely filing of tax returns and payment of taxes owed

o Develop and implement tax strategies that optimize the organization's tax position, minimize tax liabilities, and align with business objectives

o Oversee the preparation and accuracy of tax-related financial statements and disclosures, ensuring compliance with accounting standards and regulatory requirements

o Identify and assess tax-related risks, implementing policies and procedures to mitigate those risks and ensure compliance with tax regulations

o Oversee relationships with external tax advisors and consultants, ensuring that the organization receives expert guidance on complex tax matters

Team leadership & development

o Foster a culture of continuous improvement and professional development within the accounting team.

o Develop training programs to elevate the skills of accounting personnel and prepare future leaders

Center of Excellence

o Conduct a thorough mapping of accounting functions across all business units to identify opportunities for synergies, standardization, automation and digitization

o Lead process improvements and technology implementations to enhance the efficiency of accounting operations, contributing to overall organizational performance

o Lead the implementation of SAP4/Hanna

Shared Service Establishment

o Initiate discussions and brainstorming sessions to identify potential areas for shared services within the accounting function

o Create a comprehensive business case that outlines the benefits of implementing shared services, including enhanced efficiency, cost savings, and improved service delivery

o Evaluate and suggest optimal locations for the shared services center, considering factors such as current footprint, operational costs, talent availability, etc.

o Present findings and recommendations to executive management and stakeholders, facilitating informed decision-making regarding the establishment of shared services

o Lead the implementation of shared services, ensuring that processes are redefined, technology is integrated, and teams are trained to operate effectively within the new structure.

Requirements:

Education & Certification

· Certified Public Accountant (CPA) –
Required

· Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or related field –
Required

· Master's degree (e.g., MBA, Finance) –
Preferred

Professional Experience

· Minimum
10–15 years
of progressive experience in accounting and financial leadership roles –
Required

· At least
5 years
in a senior finance executive position (e.g., CAO, VP Finance, Director of Accounting) –
Required

· Extensive experience working in a
global, multi-subsidiary corporate environment
–
Required

· Proven track record of managing
IFRS-based financial reporting
–
Required

· Demonstrated experience with
SOX compliance
and establishing
internal controls frameworks
–
Required

· Hands-on experience leading
complex audits
and working closely with internal and external auditors –
Required

· Experience with
tax planning
, compliance, and risk mitigation in multinational structures –
Required

· Successful leadership of
accounting transformation initiatives
, including
ERP implementations
(preferably SAP S/4HANA) –
Strong Advantage

· Prior involvement in
shared services design and rollout
–
Preferred

· Experience advising on
M&A, FX hedging, hyperinflation adjustments
, and complex financial instruments –
Preferred

Technical Skills

· Deep understanding of
IFRS
, SOX regulations, and international tax compliance

· Strong command of
financial reporting systems
and
ERP platforms
(SAP preferred)

· Analytical expertise in
working capital, free cash flow forecasting, KPIs
, and balance sheet management

· Familiarity with
automation, digitization
, and
center of excellence
development in finance

Leadership & Soft Skills

· Proven leadership ability with a strong focus on
team development
, mentoring, and performance management

· Strategic thinker with the ability to align financial operations with
corporate objectives

· Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence
executive stakeholders

· Demonstrated ability to lead
cross-functional initiatives
and foster collaboration between finance and business units

· High level of integrity, professionalism, and commitment to
financial transparency and governance