Job Description:

The US Benefits Controller provides financial oversight and ensures compliance of US pension and benefits with US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and regulatory requirements. This role manages relationships with actuaries, auditors and vendors to secure annual signoff on pension assumptions and external audits, and signs US government filings. Additionally, it oversees US benefits accounting, cost allocation, and collaborates with the Global Benefits Accounting Team to consolidate and reconcile year-end pension financials for Mars audited statements.

This role integrates the 7 audited US Employee Benefit Plans (EBP) and 9 5500 filings for Kellanova, including the USGAAP assumptions and YE disclosure for these plans. This T3 role will manage existing T2 associate from Kellanova responsible for this work.

What are we looking for?

• CPA and Bachelor of Science degree in accounting required
• Graduate degree preferred
• Prior experience in technical and statutory accounting and controls management (8-10 years)
• Prior experience in benefits-related accounting a plus
• Proven experience in a technical accounting area
• Demonstrated experience on research and recommendations to senior management of technical accounting required changes
• Experience of management, training and engagement of associates a plus

What will be your key responsibilities?

People Management:

• Manage, develop and engage three direct reports (T2s)
• Lead team, providing technical USGAAP training to prepare the EBP financial statements, footnotes and yearend disclosures to ensure compliance with US reporting requirements.

Employee Benefit Plans:

• Review and approve the US financial statements prepared by direct reports (14 Plans)
• Annually review and sign 22 US Form 5500s filings
• Ensure successful completion of external audits for all plans within budget.
• Build a high-quality internal control framework, including oversight for vendor controls.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory reporting.
• Own the relationship with the external auditors and other key vendors.
• Provide financial support to the benefit plans committees, ensuring all financial compliance requirements are met on a timely basis and reported to the committee.

US GAAP Accounting:

• Responsible for US benefits periodic general accounting activities and related PwC audits.
• Direct financial management in the US defined benefit pension cost of $65M, Health & Welfare cost of $300M and defined contribution match of $17M ensuring allocations across 20+ US business units. (Kellanova scope to be determined)
• Recommend to management the US annual pension assumptions to be included in the Company footnotes.
• Approve annual US detailed pension disclosure submissions (A-18) prepared by direct reports and actuaries.
• Assess financial impacts for proposed new benefit plan designs. Ensures correct application of Mars policies and accounting for those changes.
• Manage and participate in ad hoc project teams as requested by management (i.e. mergers, acquisitions, outsourcing).

Global Oversight:

• Partner with the Global Benefits Controller to consolidate 200+ Mars Pension Plans financial data and assumptions across 30 countries and 40+ business units with a consolidated liability of $17B to prepare year-end adjusting journal entries for pension and financial statement disclosures, including the total Mars Inc liability footnote.

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with over 130,000 diverse and talented Associates, all guided by The Five Principles.
• Join a purpose driven company, where we're striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.

The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is between the range listed below, however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position will include variable pay, medical and dental benefits, participation in 401k plan, and paid time off benefits. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an applicant receives an offer of employment.

The pay range shown is applicable to all US locations listed within the job posting:USD 153,600.00 - USD 211,200.00