Head of Accounting and Shared Services (Italy)

Head of Accounting and Shared Services Italy

Location: Milan, Italy (Hybrid)

Company Overview: AniCura is a leading family of veterinary clinics specializing in the medical care of pets. With over 500 locations across Europe, AniCura provides modern, high-quality veterinary services. Each year, AniCura’s 13,000 passionate veterinarians care for three million pet patients. Since 2018, AniCura has been part of Mars Veterinary Health, a family business focused on veterinary care.

Role Overview: We are looking for an experienced and qualified Head of Accounting and Shared Services to lead our financial team. This pivotal role ensures the accuracy and integrity of our financial reporting, provides leadership and development for the team, and oversees various accounting and financial operations activities, ensuring compliance with accounting standards and company policies. You will collaborate closely with our external Shared Service Centre and drive the deployment of various transformation projects in cooperation with AniCura Group Finance peers. Your team will provide guidance and support for approximately 35 clinic locations in Italy, ensuring excellence in financial processes and operations and potential new acquired business integrations. Reporting to the CFO of Market Italy, this role offers a hybrid working arrangement (50%) in our Milan office and occasional travel to clinic locations within Italy.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and develop a team of ca 10 accounting professionals and contractors.
• Set up and reshape critical financial processes in a dynamic and growing environment.
• Ensure the accuracy of periodic financial reporting to Mars Group (US GAAP) and the Italian statutory annual financial statements.
• Present balance sheet movements to the management team.
• Serve as the main point of contact for authorities, bank, internal and external auditors, and tax advisors.
• Identify and monitor provisions and maintain general ledger accounts.
• Handle ongoing business transactions and ensure compliance with statutory reporting requirements.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including market operations, business controllers, clinics, and the AniCura group to ensure effective financial processes, compliance, and reporting.
• Initiate and lead projects to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness within the finance function.

Preferred Qualifications:

• University degree in accounting, finance, or a related field. Professional accounting qualification is preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in accounting or finance operations.
• 5+ years in a people manager position, ideally within an international corporation.
• Experience in structuring and optimizing accounting processes.
• Proficient in MS Office applications, especially MS Excel.
• Fluent in Italian and English language.
• Team-oriented with strong social and communication skills.
• Structured, thorough, and independent working style.
• Experience in private equity or M&A companies would be an advantage.
• Background in auditing is a plus.

Benefits:

• Permanent employment in a fast-growing company.
• Solid personal development opportunities within Mars ecosystem.
• Modern workplace in spacious and friendly premises in “OneMars office” (office space for AniCura, Mars, Royal Canin) in Milan.
• Flexible working hours and the possibility to work from home 50% of the time.
• Complementary fresh fruit and coffee in the office.
• AniCura employee discount for vet services in the clinics, yearly salary review process.
• Meal vouchers.

Application:

Have we sparked your interest, or do you know someone who might be interested in this position? Please read on the next page more about who we are, how we work, and what are the opportunities and challenges you might face.

We look forward to receiving your application if you see yourself in this role and as part of our team!