SAP Solution Architect- Record to Report

Overview

This role involves leading end-to-end SAP solution architecture across accounting and finance processes in a regulated life sciences environment. The position focuses on deep Record to Report (R2R) expertise and SAP Finance capabilities, including SAP FICO, SAP Profitability and Performance Management (PaPM) Transfer Pricing and advanced allocations, and tax integrations.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end solution architecture for SAP Record to Report, including General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Asset Accounting, Bank/ Cash Management (as applicable), and period-end close.
• Lead design workshops with Finance, Accounting, Controllership, and Tax to translate business requirements into target-state process and system designs.
• Architect and govern SAP FICO solutions across Source to Pay, Order to Cash, and Plan to Produce, covering configurations, integrations, security/controls, and data design to ensure accuracy, auditability, and compliance.
• Design and oversee SAP PaPM models and allocation frameworks and transfer pricing (e.g., cost allocations, profitability analysis, management reporting), including data sourcing, calculation logic, and performance optimization.
• Define allocation strategy and supporting configuration for assessments, distributions, overhead allocations, intercompany allocations, and related reconciliation controls.
• Partner with Tax stakeholders to design and implement SAP tax-related processes and configurations (e.g., indirect tax/VAT/sales & use concepts, withholding tax, tax codes, reporting needs) aligned to statutory requirements, internal controls, and life sciences compliance expectations.
• Architect and oversee integration between SAP and external tax engines (Thomson Reuters ONESOURCE), including interface design, tax determination flows, error handling, reconciliation, and support model.
• Lead design for statutory and e-invoicing/reporting requirements using SAP Document and Reporting Compliance (DRC), including country-specific reporting needs, controls, and coordination with Tax and Compliance.
• Ensure solutions align to life sciences operating requirements, including strong audit trails, validated/controlled processes where applicable, and robust documentation to support internal/external audits.
• Ensure solutions support financial close and reporting requirements, including reconciliations, journal entry governance, subledger-to-GL integration, and intercompany eliminations as applicable.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design integrations with upstream/downstream systems (e.g., procurement, order-to-cash, treasury, HR/payroll, data platforms), including interface patterns and error handling.
• Establish architecture standards, design patterns, and documentation (solution designs, configuration rationales, data lineage, control points, and operational runbooks).
• Provide technical leadership across the delivery lifecycle: blueprint/design, build, testing (SIT/UAT), cutover, go-live, hypercare, and continuous improvement.
• Guide and review work produced by functional consultants and developers; ensure solution quality, maintainability, and adherence to design and governance.
• Identify risks, dependencies, and impacts (process, data, controls, reporting) and drive mitigation plans with program leadership.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in SAP Finance solution design/architecture with significant focus on Record to Report.
• Deep, hands-on SAP FICO expertise, including configuration and end-to-end process knowledge across GL, AP, AR, Asset Accounting, and close-related controls.
• Strong experience with SAP PaPM, including model design, allocations, calculation logic, and performance considerations.
• Proven experience designing and implementing allocation methods and reconciliation/control frameworks in SAP.
• Strong knowledge of tax-related business processes and SAP tax configuration concepts (e.g., tax codes, reporting requirements, withholding/indirect tax concepts), including experience integrating SAP with an external tax engine such as Thomson Reuters ONESOURCE.
• Experience delivering statutory reporting and compliance solutions using SAP Document and Reporting Compliance (DRC) and partnering with Tax/Compliance on country-specific requirements.
• Strong accounting foundation (e.g., experience in Controllership/Accounting, or extensive delivery experience aligned to US GAAP/IFRS concepts, SOX controls for reporting), including close, reconciliations, and audit support considerations.
• Experience leading workshops, producing solution design documentation, and communicating complex concepts to both business and technical audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to drive decisions, manage stakeholders, and lead through ambiguity in complex transformation programs.
• Experience working in life sciences (BioTech/Pharma) or other regulated industries with strong compliance, documentation, and audit requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with SAP S/4HANA Finance transformations (greenfield or brownfield), including migration approach, fit-to-standard, and simplification items.
• Knowledge of Universal Journal and impacts to reporting and reconciliation.
• Experience with SAP Central Finance, Group Reporting, or consolidation/intercompany solutions (as applicable).
• Experience integrating SAP with external tax engines such as Thomson Reuters ONESOURCE, including end-to-end tax determination, reconciliation, and operational support.
• Hands-on experience with SAP Document and Reporting Compliance (DRC), including statutory reporting, eDocument/e-invoicing scenarios, and ongoing regulatory change management.
• Experience with data governance/master data (e.g., chart of accounts, cost/profit centers, internal orders, WBS) and finance data quality controls.
• Prior experience in regulated environments with strong SOX/internal control requirements.
• Familiarity with life sciences compliance practices (e.g., GxP considerations, computer system validation/CSV concepts) and designing solutions with inspection and audit readiness.

Compensation & Benefits

• Compensation and benefits details were not provided.

Location

• Ireland

Education & Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Information Systems, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• CPA, CMA, or equivalent accounting certification is a plus.
• SAP certifications (e.g., S/4HANA Finance) and/or PaPM certification are a plus.

Work Environment & Travel

• May require occasional travel based on project phase and stakeholder needs.
• This role frequently partners with global teams across time zones during key delivery milestones (e.g., testing, cutover, close cycles).

EHS (Environmental, Health & Safety) Responsibility (Ireland)

• Support the organization’s commitment to environmental protection, injury prevention, and continual improvement of EHS management systems.
• Actively contribute to a safe and environmentally responsible workplace by identifying hazards, reporting incidents, and participating in EHS initiatives and training.