GreeneTweed SAP FI-UPA Consultant

SAP S/4

HANA UPA (Universal Parallel Accounting) Lead / Architect

Location:
Remote (US-Based)

Our client, a global enterprise operating on an established SAP S/4

HANA platform, is seeking a SAP UPA (Universal Parallel Accounting) Lead / Architect to assess, design, and potentially implement Universal Parallel Accounting within their current landscape.

This role will serve as a strategic advisor and solution architect
, helping the business evaluate readiness, define the roadmap, and lead execution for UPA adoption across Finance and Controlling.

• Lead assessment of current S/4
  
  HANA finance architecture
  , including ledgers, accounting principles, and valuation approaches
• Advise on UPA feasibility, business case, and roadmap aligned to organizational reporting and compliance requirements
• Design target-state architecture for Universal Parallel Accounting
  , including ledger strategy, valuation views, and accounting principles
• Define and guide integration across Finance submodules
  , including FI, CO, Asset Accounting (FI-AA), and Material Ledger
• Lead workshops with Finance, Controlling, and business stakeholders to align on multi-GAAP requirements (IFRS, US GAAP, Local GAAP)
• Provide expertise on parallel valuation in manufacturing and inventory accounting (COGS, inventory, production costing)
• Develop and execute implementation strategy
  , including data readiness, configuration, and testing approach
• Identify risks, dependencies, and impacts across existing processes and provide mitigation strategies
• Support cutover planning, deployment, and hypercare if implementation proceeds
• Act as a trusted advisor to Finance leadership
  , bridging business and technical teams

• 10+ years of SAP Finance experience with deep expertise in S/4
  
  HANA Finance (FI/CO)
• Proven experience with Universal Parallel Accounting (UPA)—design, advisory, or implementation
• Strong understanding of parallel accounting concepts
  , including multi-ledger and multi-GAAP environments
• Hands-on experience with:
  • New GL / Ledger configuration
  • Material Ledger (mandatory)
  • Asset Accounting (FI-AA)
  • Integration with Controlling (CO-PC, product costing, inventory valuation)
• Experience working in existing S/4
  
  HANA environments (brownfield/landscape optimization)
• Strong knowledge of financial close, reporting, and audit requirements
• Ability to lead architecture discussions and stakeholder workshops

• Prior experience leading UPA implementations in S/4
  
  HANA 2022 or later
• Background in manufacturing, aerospace, or complex supply chain environments
• Experience with multi-national organizations requiring multiple accounting standards
• Exposure to Central Finance or multi-system landscapes
• Strong understanding of data structures within the Universal Journal (ACDOCA)

• Current state assessment & gap analysis
• UPA roadmap and implementation strategy
• Target architecture design (ledger & valuation approach)
• Business process impact analysis
• Configuration and deployment plan (if moving forward)

• Executive-level communication and advisory capability
• Strong leadership and facilitation skills
• Ability to translate complex finance concepts into business terms
• Collaborative mindset across Finance, IT, and Operations

• SAP certifications in S/4
  
  HANA Finance
• Experience with transformation programs or finance modernization initiatives