Solutions Architect - Finance
PURPOSE OF THE JOB
The Solution Architect – Finance is a strategic technology leader responsible for the design, implementation, governance, and continuous improvement of global finance technology solutions.
Job Responsibilities
Build relationships within the organization, cross-functionally, and with key stakeholders - finance leadership, controllers, treasury teams, shared services, and business unit stakeholders; ensure effective contact to remain aligned with functional objectives.
Understand the strategic direction of the company’s businesses and execute functional strategies to support and enhance business results; be knowledgeable of the project work that supports this direction and implications to the business.
Partner with Finance and Treasury leadership to translate business strategies into technology capabilities and implementation plans.
Partner with business stakeholders to identify opportunities for process improvement, automation, and simplification.
Define and maintain the technology roadmap for General Accounting and Treasury solutions.
Evaluate emerging technologies, conduct assessments, and lead proof-of-concept initiatives that support finance transformation.
Serve as the solution authority for: General Ledger (GL), Treasury & Cash Management, Bank Connectivity and Electronic Banking, Financial Close and Consolidation processes, SAP add-ons, bolt-on and cloud solutions, and other key non-ERP systems.
Define and maintain technology standards, and architectural principles within the finance domain.
Ensure solutions align with enterprise architecture, cybersecurity, data governance, and compliance and financial standards.
Lead finance technology initiatives, including SAP implementations, upgrades, acquisitions, divestitures, and optimization projects.
Manage solution design, blueprinting, testing, deployment, cutover, hypercare, and support transitions.
Identify and proactively mitigate project and technical risks.
Provide architectural oversight and approval for finance-related technology solutions.
Participate in architecture review boards and change control processes.
Maintain enterprise process and capability models related to finance functions.
Ensure proper solution documentation, configuration standards, and support models are established and maintained.
Lead the lifecycle management of finance applications from assessment and implementation through enhancement and retirement.
Lead architecture design for SAP S/4HANA Finance and related finance applications.
Influence stakeholders, lead complex global initiatives, and enable standardization and automation across business processes and technologies.
Translate complex technical concepts into language appropriate for business stakeholders and executive audiences.
Collaborate with project managers, business analysts, developers, and external partners to deliver high-quality solutions.
Facilitate workshops, requirements gathering sessions, design reviews, and solution demonstrations.
Guide global teams through complex design decisions while balancing business requirements, technical capabilities, and future scalability.
Develop talent, invest in personal growth and development, clearly focused on self-learning.
Drive change management and technology adoption.
Develop and introduce new ideas and approaches to others.
Understand how and why things operate, find root causes through analysis and questioning.
Leverage investments by integrating new requirements into existing solutions.
Voluntarily initiate and take lead roles in challenging work without explicit direction.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Accounting, Finance, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
Accounting background - profession, degree and/or CPA certification is preferred.
Minimum 8–10 years of experience in the information technology industry assessing software functionality, and designing and implementing enterprise finance technology solutions.
Minimum 5 years of experience with global financial systems including SAP ECC and/or SAP S/4HANA Finance.
Minimum 5 years of experience integrating SAP with SAP add-ons, bolt-on and cloud solutions, and other key non-ERP systems including treasury management applications, bank data interfaces and platforms, Lease Accounting, Financial Close automation solutions, and compliance solutions for requirements such as e-Invoicing and SAF-T reporting.
Strong understanding of end-to-end business processes with touchpoints impacting financials and related technology solutions, including: Order-to-Cash (OTC), Procure-to-Pay (P2P), Record-to-Report (R2R), Forecast-to-Stock (F2S).
Strong understanding of financial accounting principles, including US GAAP and statutory reporting requirements.
Hands-on expertise in SAP FICO and Treasury Management solutions.
Experience with SAP S/4HANA Finance transformations.
Proven experience leading global projects and cross-functional initiatives.
Experience supporting international statutory, tax, and regulatory requirements.
Experience leading globally distributed teams and external partners.
Experience implementing AI across financial processes is a plus.
Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills.
Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
Awareness of industry trends, direction and standards that guide innovative technology offerings.
Ability to develop strategic roadmaps while maintaining focus on operational execution.
Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
Ability to balance business requirements with technical and architectural standards.
Ability to communicate at level of complexity appropriate to the target audience, whether the audience is highly technical, has minimal technical knowledge, or is purely functional or business operations focused.
Continuous improvement mindset with a focus on standardization, scalability, and sustainability.
Experience designing and implementing solutions supporting Asset Accounting, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Controlling, and Tax is a plus.
Enterprise Architecture, Project Management, Agile, or SAP certifications are a plus.