Process Functional Consultant and Solution Architect - SAP Central Finance

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.

The Process Functional Consultant and Solution Architect - SAP Central Finance is a seasoned expert responsible for the end-to-end design, configuration, and successful deployment of the Central Finance solution. This role serves as the lead functional authority, translating complex financial and business requirements from multiple source systems into an optimized and compliant Central Finance system built on SAP S/4HANA. The consultant leads functional design, ensures data quality/mapping integrity, and drives the successful adoption of centralized financial processes.

Your role and responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

1. Functional Solution Design and Configuration

• Lead the detailed functional design and configuration of the SAP S/4HANA Central Finance system, including key FI/CO components like Universal Journal (ACDOCA), New GL, Profit Center Accounting, and integration points with Asset Accounting and GL/AP/AR.
• Design and configure the data mapping solutions critical for CFIN: Key Mapping, Business Mapping, and Cost Object Mapping to harmonize data across disparate source systems (ECC, non-SAP ERPs).
• Define the functional requirements for real-time replication, focusing on financial document posting, follow-on documents, and the underlying technical mechanisms (e.g., SLT/AIF requirements).
• Work closely with business stakeholders to define the scope and design for Central Payment (CPAY) and its configuration for specific process scenarios (e.g., AP/AR centralization).

• Conduct in-depth workshops with global and local finance teams (GL, Controlling, Tax, Treasury) to gather detailed business requirements and perform comprehensive Gap Analysis between current processes and the target CFIN solution.
• Drive the standardization and harmonization of financial master data and transactional processes across multiple disparate source systems into the single CFIN instance.
• Translate complex regulatory and financial reporting requirements (IFRS, GAAP, local statutory needs) into detailed functional specifications for the CFIN configuration and development teams.

• Lead the execution of all core functional activities in the SAP Activate methodology, including blueprinting, fit-to-standard analysis, realization, testing (SIT/UAT), and cutover.
• Oversee and manage the Central Finance Error Handling process, providing expert resolution support for AIF/SLT replication issues.
• Prepare and manage detailed functional specifications for custom developments (RICEF) and work closely with technical teams (ABAP, Integration) to ensure technical solutions meet functional requirements.
• Lead the development of training content and conduct knowledge transfer sessions for business power users and the ongoing support teams.

• Act as the primary functional bridge between the business stakeholders, the Solution Architect, and the technical development teams.
• Provide deep thought leadership and advisory services on the effective utilization of CFIN capabilities, new S/4HANA Finance features (e.g., Embedded Analytics, Group Reporting integration), and recommended best practices.
• Provide expertise during the Initial Load phase, ensuring all legacy financial data is accurately loaded and validated into the CFIN system.

• Experience:
  • Minimum of 12+ years of progressive experience in SAP Finance consulting.
  • At least 2-3 full lifecycle SAP S/4HANA Central Finance (CFIN) implementations as a Lead Functional Consultant.
  • Expert-level, hands-on configuration experience in core SAP FI/CO modules (GL, AR, AP, AA, CCA, PCA, IO).
• Technical/Functional CFIN Expertise:
  • Proven, hands-on experience with Central Finance configuration, including Key/Business/Cost Object Mapping tables and derivation rules.
  • Strong understanding of the CFIN architecture, including the integration layers (SLT replication, AIF framework) and their functional implications.
  • Knowledge of S/4HANA capabilities like the Universal Journal and real-time reporting.
• Consulting Skills:
  • Exceptional ability to communicate complex Central Finance concepts clearly to both finance executives and technical resources.
  • Proven experience managing high-pressure situations, such as error handling during go-live/cutover.

• SAP Certified Application Associate - SAP S/4HANA for Financial Accounting or SAP Certified Specialist - Central Finance.
• Experience with integration of CFIN to SAP Group Reporting or SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) for reporting/planning.
• Working knowledge of SAP Master Data Governance (MDG) as it relates to financial master data (G/L accounts, cost centers, profit centers).