Functional Architect

Job Summary

This hybrid role seeks a seasoned functional architect with ten to twelve years of experience in SAP FICO and core financial submodules including taxation internal orders cost center accounting profit center accounting accounts receivable accounts payable and asset management. The architect will design integrated financial solutions that enhance operational efficiency support compliant reporting and align with business strategy across global operations in a day shift environment.

Responsibilities

• Design integrated financial solution architectures that align SAP FICO and related submodules with global business processes to achieve consistent compliant and efficient financial operations across the enterprise.
• Translate complex finance and controlling requirements into robust SAP configuration designs that optimize data integrity reporting accuracy and system usability for business stakeholders.
• Collaborate with finance controllership and shared services teams to define standardized processes for taxation internal orders cost center accounting and profit center accounting that improve transparency and cost control.
• Configure and enhance SAP accounts receivable and accounts payable workflows to streamline billing collections and vendor payments while reducing manual intervention and cycle time.
• Shape asset management processes within SAP to ensure accurate asset capitalization depreciation tracking and retirement handling that support audit readiness and regulatory compliance.
• Coordinate end to end solution design across SAP FI and CO components ensuring compatibility with existing integrations master data structures and global chart of accounts to maintain a unified financial landscape.
• Guide fit gap analysis and impact assessments for change requests and new implementations ensuring that proposed designs support long term scalability performance and maintenance simplicity.
• Drive the creation of functional specifications test scenarios and user documentation that clearly describe solution behavior enabling effective development testing and deployment activities.
• Support defect analysis and resolution during testing and post go live phases by diagnosing configuration issues data discrepancies and process gaps to stabilize operations quickly.
• Engage with business partners in IT business support and engineering and design domains to understand upstream and downstream process needs and embed those requirements in the financial architecture.
• Champion data quality practices for financial master and transaction data by defining validation rules and controls that improve reporting reliability and insight for strategic decision making.
• Coordinate and facilitate workshops and walkthroughs with cross functional stakeholders to validate solution designs gather feedback and secure alignment on process changes before implementation.
• Monitor system usage and key financial performance indicators to identify opportunities for incremental improvements and propose enhancements that deliver measurable value to the company and broader society through more efficient resource allocation. Qualifications
• Demonstrate extensive hands on experience in SAP FICO including deep configuration knowledge of taxation internal orders cost center accounting profit center accounting accounts receivable accounts payable and asset management.
• Apply strong understanding of SAP FI processes such as general ledger closing and financial statements to design solutions that support accurate and timely statutory and management reporting.
• Leverage domain exposure to IT business support to collaborate effectively with technical teams on issue resolution change management and long term application lifecycle planning.
• Utilize working knowledge of engineering and design environments to align financial structures with project based and asset intensive operations commonly found in large multinational organizations.
• Exhibit proven capability in hybrid work settings using remote collaboration tools and structured communication practices to maintain productivity and stakeholder engagement in day shift operations.
• Showcase clear analytical and problem solving skills with the ability to evaluate complex financial scenarios propose pragmatic solutions and articulate impacts to both business and technology partners.

Certifications Required

SAP Certified Application Professional Financials in SAP S4HANA or equivalent SAP FICO certification preferred.

About Cognizant
Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) is an AI Builder and technology services provider, bridging the gap between AI investment and enterprise value by building full-stack AI solutions for our clients. Our deep industry, process and engineering expertise enables us to build an organization’s unique context into technology systems that amplify human potential, drive tangible outcomes and keep global enterprises ahead in a fast-changing world. See how at cognizant.ai or @cognizant.

Things to know before you apply

• Work authorization: Cognizant will only consider applicants for this position who are legally authorized to work in Canada without requiring employer sponsorship, now or at any time in the future.
• Accommodations: If you have a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening or submit an application, please email [email protected] with your request and contact information.
• AI in hiring: We use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to help us screen and assess applications more efficiently. Our team performs additional human review and ultimately decides who moves forward in our hiring process.
• Open position: Unless otherwise stated, this job posting is for an open position on our team.
• Language proficiency: We ask that all candidates have basic English proficiency for company-wide communications purposes. For roles based in Quebec, professional English proficiency is required, as you’ll deliver services to and collaborate with stakeholders outside the province who may not speak French.
• Inclusion: Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, provincial or local laws.