Job Type
Contract Full-Time

Job Description

SAP S/4HANA UPA (Universal Parallel Accounting) Lead / Architect

Location: Remote (US-Based)

Overview

Our client, a global enterprise operating on an established SAP S/4HANA platform, is seeking a SAP UPA (Universal Parallel Accounting) Lead / Architect to assess, design, and potentially implement Universal Parallel Accounting within their current landscape.

This role will serve as a strategic advisor and solution architect, helping the business evaluate readiness, define the roadmap, and lead execution for UPA adoption across Finance and Controlling.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead assessment of current S/4HANA finance architecture, including ledgers, accounting principles, and valuation approaches
  • Advise on UPA feasibility, business case, and roadmap aligned to organizational reporting and compliance requirements
  • Design target-state architecture for Universal Parallel Accounting, including ledger strategy, valuation views, and accounting principles
  • Define and guide integration across Finance submodules, including FI, CO, Asset Accounting (FI-AA), and Material Ledger
  • Lead workshops with Finance, Controlling, and business stakeholders to align on multi-GAAP requirements (IFRS, US GAAP, Local GAAP)
  • Provide expertise on parallel valuation in manufacturing and inventory accounting (COGS, inventory, production costing)
  • Develop and execute implementation strategy, including data readiness, configuration, and testing approach
  • Identify risks, dependencies, and impacts across existing processes and provide mitigation strategies
  • Support cutover planning, deployment, and hypercare if implementation proceeds
  • Act as a trusted advisor to Finance leadership, bridging business and technical teams

Required Qualifications

  • 10+ years of SAP Finance experience with deep expertise in S/4HANA Finance (FI/CO)
  • Proven experience with Universal Parallel Accounting (UPA)—design, advisory, or implementation
  • Strong understanding of parallel accounting concepts, including multi-ledger and multi-GAAP environments
  • Hands-on experience with:
    • New GL / Ledger configuration
    • Material Ledger (mandatory)
    • Asset Accounting (FI-AA)
    • Integration with Controlling (CO-PC, product costing, inventory valuation)
  • Experience working in existing S/4HANA environments (brownfield/landscape optimization)
  • Strong knowledge of financial close, reporting, and audit requirements
  • Ability to lead architecture discussions and stakeholder workshops

Preferred Qualifications

  • Prior experience leading UPA implementations in S/4HANA 2022 or later
  • Background in manufacturing, aerospace, or complex supply chain environments
  • Experience with multi-national organizations requiring multiple accounting standards
  • Exposure to Central Finance or multi-system landscapes
  • Strong understanding of data structures within the Universal Journal (ACDOCA)

Key Deliverables

  • Current state assessment & gap analysis
  • UPA roadmap and implementation strategy
  • Target architecture design (ledger & valuation approach)
  • Business process impact analysis
  • Configuration and deployment plan (if moving forward)

Soft Skills

  • Executive-level communication and advisory capability
  • Strong leadership and facilitation skills
  • Ability to translate complex finance concepts into business terms
  • Collaborative mindset across Finance, IT, and Operations

Nice to Have

  • SAP certifications in S/4HANA Finance
  • Experience with transformation programs or finance modernization initiatives
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