Swatch Group Controller

Overview

The Swatch Group is a Swiss multinational leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of finished watches, encompassing a broad portfolio of maisons from accessible brands to high-end horology. The Italian subsidiary, The Swatch Group (Italia) S.p.A., operates from Milan and supports marketing, sales and services as well as a network of corporate stores and boutiques across Italy.

Role & Responsibilities

• Lead the month-end, quarter-end and annual close processes for the Italian subsidiary; prepare accurate management accounts, consolidated P&L, balance sheet reconciliations and cash‑flow reporting.
• Develop, maintain and challenge budgets and rolling forecasts; perform variance analysis and deliver actionable insights to senior management and Swiss HQ.
• Design, implement and monitor internal controls and accounting policies to ensure compliance with local GAAP, IFRS and Group standards.
• Coordinate statutory reporting, tax deliverables and external audits in collaboration with external advisors and Group Finance.
• Provide finance business partnering to commercial, retail and operations teams, translating financial performance into operational priorities.
• Oversee inventory accounting and revenue recognition processes for corporate stores and wholesale channels; ensure accuracy of sales accruals and stock valuations.
• Supervise, mentor and develop the local accounting/controlling team; assign responsibilities and uphold deadlines and quality standards.
• Drive process improvement initiatives in financial reporting, month‑end cadence and cross‑functional workflows.

Qualifications

• Degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics or equivalent; Master’s degree preferred.
• Professional accounting qualification (e.g., Chartered Accountant, CPA or Italian equivalent) is desirable.
• Solid knowledge of Italian GAAP and IFRS; familiarity with statutory reporting and audit processes.
• Proven ability to synthesise complex financial data and communicate recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Experience in a multinational corporate environment, preferably within retail, luxury goods or consumer products.

Skills

Experience

Typically requires 5+ years of progressive accounting and controlling experience, including several years within a multinational environment and at least 1–2 years in a supervisory or managerial role; prior exposure to retail or luxury sectors is advantageous.

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics or related discipline; professional accounting certification preferred.

Workplace

Culture

The Swatch Group combines precision engineering and brand heritage with a commercially oriented, retail‑facing culture. The Milan organisation values craftsmanship, cross‑border collaboration and a results‑driven approach, offering a dynamic environment at the intersection of product, retail and international finance.

About Cerulean

Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.