Shipping Financial Controller

Main purpose

The Shipping Financial Controller will monitor and supervise the accounting and financial control tasks for certain sub-Group of shipping legal entities, taking ownership of the full financial reporting cycle and providing oversight of the accounting requirements as well as providing financial analysis to management for decision making. The role reports into the Regional Controller for Europe, Shipping & Bunkering and acts as a key point of financial control and governance for these shipping entities.

The role requires close interaction with senior stakeholders across the business (including Deals Desk, Freight Analysts, Claims, Operations, Tax, Treasury and Internal Control) to ensure transactions are accounted for correctly under IFRS, revenue is recognised appropriately, and PnL and balance sheet reporting is finalised to a high standard, with clear commentary for management and Group reporting purposes.

The Shipping Financial Controller will work closely with Trafigura's shared service centres, directing the flow of information required for month-end and year-end processes, reviewing outputs for accuracy, and ensuring activities are performed in line with Group standards.

This is a role with direct exposure to senior management and requires the individual to independently manage relationships with deals desk, operations, and other departments, ensuring that business controls and processes comply with Trafigura's standards and applicable local rules and regulations, and escalating control or compliance concerns as appropriate.

Key responsibilities

• Partner with up-stream teams (deals desk, operations) to understand transactions being undertaken and ensure these are recorded appropriately and evidenced by primary documents in both trading systems and accounting ledgers
• Own the development, establishment and maintenance of accounting policies and procedures for the shipping entities
• Provide fleet-level financial oversight, monitoring revenues, operating costs (voyage costs, vessel operating expenses, dry-docking provisions) and capital expenditure across the fleet
• Lead ad-hoc analysis requested by the business and provide financial insight to support decision-making

Financial Reporting & Controlling

• Own and oversee the periodic close process (monthly, quarterly and annual) for designated fleets and entities, ensuring accurate and timely financial statements

• Own and review the preparation of monthly accounting packs within defined timelines, reporting to Divisional and Group Accounting teams with clear, insightful commentary

• Prepare and present management accounts to senior management, including variance analysis against budget and prior periods

• Review and approve journal entries to ensure all transactions are accurately reflected in the PnL and balance sheet in accordance with accounting principles

• Oversee execution of accounting controls, manage the balance sheet, review account reconciliations, and ensure timely resolution of reconciling items

• Direct coordination across departments on analysis of aged debtors, creditors, accruals and intercompany balances, ensuring issues are resolved and escalated where necessary

• Oversee accounts payable/receivable processes, including invoicing, collections from charterers, and payments to brokers, port agents and suppliers

• Prepare and monitor the annual budgeting process and rolling forecasts, incorporating freight market assumptions, vessel utilisation rates and cost projections

• Monitor cash flow and working capital, including vessel-related cash flows (hire payments, port disbursements, crew costs), ensuring adequate liquidity

     Annual Accounts and Audit
  

• Lead the shipping entities' contribution to the Trafigura Group annual accounts finalisation and audit process (year-end 30 September)

• Own the statutory audit process for the relevant shipping legal entities, acting as primary liaison with external auditors and ensuring satisfactory, timely closure of audits

• Design and maintain robust internal control frameworks over financial reporting for the shipping entities

• Ensure tax compliance for the relevant jurisdictions

Required qualifications

• University degree in Accounting & Reporting, Business Administration, Finance or Economics.
• Chartered Accountant qualification (ACA, ACCA, CPA or equivalent) required; Master's degree an advantage.
• Strong working knowledge of international financial reporting standards, in particular IAS 16, IFRS 9, IFRS 15 and IFRS 16.
• 5+ years' relevant experience in accounting, financial control or reporting, with demonstrated expertise in the shipping industry
• Fluent English, including strong command of shipping, accounting and economic terminology.
• Advanced Excel skills and comfort using IT/finance systems to drive efficiency.
• High attention to detail and accuracy in data processing, reporting and documentation.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and challenge at a senior level.
• Self-motivated, able to lead and develop others, adaptable, and comfortable operating autonomously.
• Strong numerical and analytical skills with a pragmatic, solutions-oriented approach.
• Ability to perform effectively under pressure in a highly dynamic business environment.

Key Relationships

• CFO
• Chartering
• Technical
• Operations
• Deals Desk (i.e. mid-office)
• Claims and Freight Analysts
• Local management
• Head office functions: Tax, Treasury, FX team, Accounting & Control, Internal Control; and
• Audit and companies.

Reporting Structure

• Reporting to Regional Controller for Europe, Shipping and Bunkering based in Athens.

The job could involve travelling to: Geneva or Mumbai.

Equal opportunity employer

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and take pride in a diverse workforce! We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, medical condition or handicap, disability, or any other legally protected status.