Principal Functional and Solution Consultant - SAP Finance ICMR (Intercompany Matching and Reconciliation)

Introduction

A career in IBM Consulting is rooted by long-term relationships and close collaboration with clients across the globe. You'll work with visionaries across multiple industries to improve the hybrid cloud and AI journey for the most innovative and valuable companies in the world. Your ability to accelerate impact and make meaningful change for your clients is enabled by our strategic partner ecosystem and our robust technology platforms across the IBM portfolio.

Your role and responsibilities

The SAP ICMR Principal Functional and Solution Consultant is a senior-level expert responsible for leading the design, implementation, and optimization of the SAP S/4HANA Intercompany Matching and Reconciliation (ICMR) solution. This role acts as a trusted advisor and solution architect, translating complex intercompany business challenges and statutory reporting requirements into highly efficient, automated, and compliant SAP ICMR solutions to streamline the financial close process for global organizations. This role often involves deep integration with Group Reporting (S/4HANA Finance for Group Reporting) and other core finance modules.

Required education

Bachelor's Degree

Preferred education

Master's Degree

Required technical and professional expertise

Key Responsibilities

Solution Strategy and Design

• Lead solution architecting for end-to-end Intercompany processes, ensuring alignment with global financial policies and statutory requirements (e.g., IFRS, US GAAP).
• Conduct in-depth business requirement workshops with finance, accounting, and consolidation teams to define the 'To-Be' intercompany matching and reconciliation process.
• Design and configure complex matching methods and rules within SAP ICMR to achieve high levels of automation and real-time reconciliation.
• Design the integration landscape for data collection into ICMR, drawing from the Universal Journal (ACDOCA), Group Reporting (ACDOCU), and external systems (via Central Finance or flat file upload).
• Define the strategy for discrepancy resolution, including the design of workflows, reason codes, and automated G/L posting rules for variance adjustments.

• Take lead ownership of the functional configuration of the SAP ICMR module across the entire project lifecycle (Blueprint, Realization, Testing, and Go-Live).
• Configure ICMR objects, including Reconciliation Cases, Assignment Rules, Organizational Hierarchies, and Reconciliation Close processes (including workflows).
• Prepare detailed functional specifications for any necessary custom developments, integrations, or reports (RICEFW).
• Lead and execute system integration testing (SIT) and support user acceptance testing (UAT) activities related to ICMR and intercompany eliminations.
• Oversee data migration and cutover activities, ensuring the smooth transition of intercompany data and open items to the new S/4HANA environment.

• Serve as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for SAP ICMR, Group Reporting, and intercompany accounting best practices.
• Provide thought leadership and strategic guidance on leveraging new SAP S/4HANA functionalities (e.g., Central Finance integration, Fiori applications) to improve the speed and accuracy of the group-wide financial close.
• Mentor and guide junior functional consultants and client team members on ICMR functionalities and configuration.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams (e.g., Group Reporting, FI-CO, SD, MM, Technical Development) to ensure seamless, end-to-end process integration.

• 12+ years of progressive experience in SAP Finance/Controlling (FI/CO).
• 7+ years of hands-on experience in SAP S/4HANA Finance, with deep, proven expertise in SAP ICMR (Intercompany Matching and Reconciliation).
• Prior experience as a Solution Architect or Principal Consultant leading at least two full lifecycle implementations of SAP ICMR.
• Strong foundational knowledge of Group Accounting/Financial Consolidation processes and the SAP S/4HANA Finance for Group Reporting (S/4HANA Group Reporting) solution is highly desirable.
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Information Systems, or a related field; a relevant Master's degree or professional certification (CPA, CMA, PMP) is a plus.

• Expert proficiency in configuring and managing all components of SAP ICMR (Matching Methods, Reconciliation Cases, Assignment Rules, Workflows, and Adjustment Postings).
• Solid understanding of the SAP S/4HANA Universal Journal (ACDOCA) and its role as the single source of truth for intercompany transactions.
• Proficiency with SAP Fiori apps relevant to ICMR, Group Reporting, and the Group Close process.
• Strong understanding of Intercompany Accounting principles, including intercompany loans, sales, asset transfers, and the causes of reconciliation differences (e.g., timing, currency, posting errors).
• Working knowledge of SAP Central Finance (CFIN) architecture and its integration points with ICMR is a significant advantage.
• Experience with data migration tools and techniques in an S/4HANA environment.

• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills to resolve complex intercompany discrepancies and design robust, scalable solutions.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills with the ability to lead workshops and present complex concepts clearly to both executive business stakeholders and technical teams.
• Proven ability to lead projects or significant workstreams, manage client expectations, and deliver high-quality results under tight deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively in a global, multi-cultural, and distributed team environment.