Sr. Director, Assistant Controller

WHSmith North America has an exciting opportunity for an Assistant Controller to join our team in Las Vegas, NV!

The Sr. Director, Assistant Controller plays a critical leadership role within WHSmith’s North America Finance organization, ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and compliance of all accounting operations. This role partners closely with the VP, Controller and executive leadership to oversee accounting, internal controls, internal financial reporting, and accounting operational excellence. The Sr. Director, Assistant Controller applies accounting expertise to not only close the books but to also shape financial strategies, drive process improvement, and support business growth

What You’ll DO

General Ledger Accounting

• Lead general ledger accounting activities, including accounting for cash, expenses, prepaids, and accruals.
• Provide input on accounting areas owned by counterparts, including revenue, fixed assets, inventory, and lease accounting.
• Manage monthly and semi-annual close processes with accuracy, timeliness, and efficiency.
• Oversee journal entries, reconciliations, roll forwards, and balance sheet analysis.
• Partner with the VP, Controller to optimize accounting processes and systems.

Joint Venture Accounting

• Manage accounting and reporting for more than 150 retail joint ventures.
• Evaluate new joint ventures to determine the appropriate accounting treatment.
• Support compliance with joint venture agreements and related financial obligations.
• Ensure timely and accurate preparation of monthly joint venture statements, including loans, transactions, allocations, and distributions.
• Identify opportunities to streamline and simplify joint venture accounting activities.

Financial Reporting & Compliance

• Oversee the preparation of accurate and timely financial statements in compliance with IFRS.
• Design, maintain, and monitor internal controls to ensure compliance, accurate reporting, and protection of company assets.
• Recommend process improvements to reduce period close cycle times.
• Monitor and implement changes to applicable accounting standards.
• Serve as the primary contact for external and internal accounting audits.

Leadership & Team Development

• Mentor, coach, and develop a team of accounting professionals to achieve departmental and organizational goals.
• Establish clear team and individual objectives, provide ongoing feedback, and support professional development.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing culture aligned with company values.

Strategic Partnership

• Support strategic financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting activities.
• Collaborate with parent company finance teams on technical accounting matters.
• Participate in due diligence, mergers and acquisitions, and other strategic or special projects as needed.

Compensation: $165,000 – $180,000

MORE REASONS TO JOIN THE WHSMITH NORTH AMERICA TEAM

• Excellent Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Short & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Competitive Compensation
• Exceptional Time-Off Benefits including FTO and Holidays
• Growth opportunities and opportunities for career development
• 401k with company match
• Employee Assistance Program
• Commuter Benefits
• Incredible Employee Discounts through our Discount Marketplace!

About WHSmith North America

WHSmith is a leading global travel retailer with over 1,700 stores across 30 countries worldwide. WHSmith North America, incorporating Marshall Retail Group (MRG) and InMotion, represents over half of the Company’s international store estate, with a collection of attractive, successful specialty retail stores located in airports and resorts across North America.

EEO/ADA/DFWP

WHSmith North America is committed to employing a diverse workforce. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin/ancestry, age, gender identity, gender expression, military/veteran status, marital status, disability status or any other basis prohibited by law.

Job Requirements

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in accounting, Finance, or related field

· Minimum 10 years progressive accounting experience, including at least 5 years in leadership capacity .

• Proficient knowledge of GAAP/IFRS, joint venture accounting, and financial reporting principles.

· CPA or CMA designation and public accounting experience strongly preferred

• Experience with ERP systems (e.g., Microsoft Dynamics, Oracle, SAP, etc.) and advanced Excel formula skills.

• Retail and/or inventory systems experience strongly preferred

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and proactive communication skills with a track record of driving change and process improvement.

• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects, deadlines, and cross-functional collaboration.

Additional Requirements

• Frequent sitting
• Limited standing, walking, climbing, crouching, bending, pushing, or pulling
• Limited travel or overnight
• Occasional travel or overnight
• Frequent travel or overnight; including international
• Normal or corrected vision and hearing
• Can distinguish varying or specific colors, patterns, or materials
• Fluency in English is required for training, customer interactions, and ensuring compliance with company policies and procedures
• Typically, indoors
• Typically, at a consistent temperature
• Lift 0-25 lbs.
• Use of fine motor hand functions