What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Accounting, Americas Accounting Center position at Xylem?
Xylem is a Fortune 500 global water solutions company dedicated to advancing sustainable impact and empowering the people who make water work every day. As a leading water technology company with 23,000 employees operating in over 150 countries, Xylem is at the forefront of addressing the world's most critical water challenges. We invite passionate individuals to join our team, dedicated to exceeding customer expectations through innovative and sustainable solutions.
The Director of Accounting, Americas Accounting Center leads a high‑performing regional accounting and shared services organization responsible for delivering accurate, timely, and compliant financial results across the Americas portfolio. This role owns the monthly and quarterly close processes, financial integrity under U.S. GAAP, the SOX control environment, and end‑to‑end operational accounting activities.
Partnering closely with Corporate Controllership, FP&A, Tax, Treasury, and Business Unit leadership, the Director drives process excellence, standardization, and continuous improvement while enabling growth and scalability across North America. This leader plays a critical role in strengthening internal controls, enhancing service delivery, and leading transformation initiatives—including ERP implementations—across multiple geographies and time zones.
This role follows a hybrid work schedule, based out of our Charlotte, NC office, with an in‑office presence three days per week.
Responsibilities
Leadership & People Management
Education & Certification
We believe in supporting our employees both professionally and personally. Our benefits include:
The estimated salary range for this position is $175,000 to $195,000 plus bonus. Starting pay is dependent on multiple factors, such as skills, experience and work location, and is not typically at the top of the range. At Xylem we offer a competitive compensation package with a generous benefit package, including Medical, Dental, Vision plans, 401(k) with company contribution, paid time off, paid parental leave and tuition reimbursement.
Join the global Xylem team to be a part of innovative technology solutions transforming water usage, conservation, and re-use. Our products impact public utilities, industrial sectors, residential areas, and commercial buildings, with a commitment to providing smart metering, network technologies, and advanced analytics for water, electric, and gas utilities. Partner with us in creating a world where water challenges are met with ingenuity and dedication; where we recognize the power of inclusion and belonging in driving innovation and allowing us to compete more effectively around the world.
At Xylem, you'll not only contribute to solving water issues but also have the chance to make a difference through our paid Volunteer Program, Xylem Watermark. We prioritize our employees' well-being through inclusion and belonging as well as our Employee Resource Groups (ERG). Proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (including disability and veterans) and Affirmative Action workplace, Xylem fosters an inclusive environment free from discrimination or harassment.
Please note that the information in this job description outlines the general nature of the position and is not an exhaustive list of duties. Xylem is dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to enable all employees to perform their essential job functions. We reserve the right to modify this job description and assign additional duties as needed. Embrace the opportunity to be part of Xylem's transformative journey in shaping the future of water technology! #XylemCareers #GlobalImpact #WaterInnovation
The Director of Accounting, Americas Accounting Center leads a high‑performing regional accounting and shared services organization responsible for delivering accurate, timely, and compliant financial results across the Americas portfolio. This role owns the monthly and quarterly close processes, financial integrity under U.S. GAAP, the SOX control environment, and end‑to‑end operational accounting activities.
Partnering closely with Corporate Controllership, FP&A, Tax, Treasury, and Business Unit leadership, the Director drives process excellence, standardization, and continuous improvement while enabling growth and scalability across North America. This leader plays a critical role in strengthening internal controls, enhancing service delivery, and leading transformation initiatives—including ERP implementations—across multiple geographies and time zones.
This role follows a hybrid work schedule, based out of our Charlotte, NC office, with an in‑office presence three days per week.
Responsibilities
Leadership & People Management
- Lead and develop a geographically diverse accounting team across multiple levels
- Provide performance management, coaching, and talent development
- Align staffing models with business growth and workload demands
- Lead accounting process improvements and SAP implementation initiatives
- Establish standardized workflows, documentation, and quality controls
- Drive continuous improvement using Lean/Six Sigma and data‑driven practices
- Act as primary accounting operations partner to business units
- Build strong internal relationships to enhance service delivery
- Communicate performance, risks, and improvement initiatives; manage issue escalation
- Partner with internal and external auditors on regional reviews
- Maintain audit readiness and address findings in a timely manner
Education & Certification
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance (required)
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA) (required)
- 10–15 years of progressive accounting or controllership experience
- Proven leadership experience within a multi‑entity regional organization and/or shared services or accounting center environment
- Hands‑on experience with ERP transformations (e.g., SAP migration, S/4HANA, or equivalent)
- Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and SOX / internal control frameworks
- Experience operating in a Lean, Six Sigma, or shared services model preferred
- Strong cross‑functional collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively across departments and geographies
- Clear, confident communicator with the ability to influence at senior levels
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and OneStream
- SAP experience strongly preferred
We believe in supporting our employees both professionally and personally. Our benefits include:
- Paid parental leave, maternity support, and fertility benefits
- Flexibility and hybrid work options where applicable
- Health, dental, and vision insurance from day one
- Emotional health and wellness programs and Volunteer program (Watermark)
- Paid time off (PTO)/Flexible time off (FTO) and paid holidays
- Career development, advancement, tuition reimbursement, and student loan forgiveness
- Generous retirement savings plan with company contribution
- Employee recognition and discount programs
The estimated salary range for this position is $175,000 to $195,000 plus bonus. Starting pay is dependent on multiple factors, such as skills, experience and work location, and is not typically at the top of the range. At Xylem we offer a competitive compensation package with a generous benefit package, including Medical, Dental, Vision plans, 401(k) with company contribution, paid time off, paid parental leave and tuition reimbursement.
Join the global Xylem team to be a part of innovative technology solutions transforming water usage, conservation, and re-use. Our products impact public utilities, industrial sectors, residential areas, and commercial buildings, with a commitment to providing smart metering, network technologies, and advanced analytics for water, electric, and gas utilities. Partner with us in creating a world where water challenges are met with ingenuity and dedication; where we recognize the power of inclusion and belonging in driving innovation and allowing us to compete more effectively around the world.
At Xylem, you'll not only contribute to solving water issues but also have the chance to make a difference through our paid Volunteer Program, Xylem Watermark. We prioritize our employees' well-being through inclusion and belonging as well as our Employee Resource Groups (ERG). Proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (including disability and veterans) and Affirmative Action workplace, Xylem fosters an inclusive environment free from discrimination or harassment.
Please note that the information in this job description outlines the general nature of the position and is not an exhaustive list of duties. Xylem is dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to enable all employees to perform their essential job functions. We reserve the right to modify this job description and assign additional duties as needed. Embrace the opportunity to be part of Xylem's transformative journey in shaping the future of water technology! #XylemCareers #GlobalImpact #WaterInnovation