Sr Accountant, Cost

BASIC FUNCTION:

The Senior Accountant – Cost is responsible for maintaining and improving upon the existing cost accounting functions in support of manufacturing operations and functional departments.  Responsibilities include adherence to the monthly and quarterly close process and timeline, oversee entries to the general ledger and account reconciliations and analysis related to inventory and cost of goods sold accounts in order to ensure the continued integrity and accuracy of the accounts on the Company’s financial results and balance sheet.

NATURE AND SCOPE:

• This position reports directly to the Corporate Accounting Manager -Cost.
• This position works closely with the Mill Division Controllers and Mill Accountants who manage the accounting function of the mill operations and accounting personnel.
• The qualifications for this position would include 3-5 years of progressive cost accounting responsibilities in a multi-divisional manufacturing organization preferably in a corporate environment; excellent communication skills; proficient in personal computer software and accounting systems.  Must possess a Bachelors or Masters Degree with major in accounting or finance.  SAP experience required and CPA license is preferred.
• This position assists the Corporate Accounting Manager - Cost and Sr. Manager Accounting Operations in the cost accounting functions of the Corporate Office. These functions include the month-end and quarter end closing process, working with locations on control self-assessments for Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) and internal audit, assisting with preparation of material for external auditors, general ledger account reconciliations, analysis and review, management reporting, journal entries, and reviews for the closing of month-end.  The incumbent must exercise independent judgment when there are problems in final results before presentation to the Corporate Accounting Manager.
• The successful candidate will join a team committed to manufacturing excellence, continuous improvement and team member development.  This person will enjoy developing solid business relationships with their counterparts in various other departments including but not limited to Operations, Logistics, Procurement, IT, and Planning. This position will play a key role in providing impartial financial analysis and guidance, decision support, and development of financial acumen across the organization.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Maintain accurate costing methodology in the ERP System (SAP).
• Maintain and improve the costing methodology and KPI reporting for inventory and management cost reporting (P&L).
• Maintain standard cost system to ensure accuracy of inventory valuation and participate in annual manufacturing cost standard updates and analyze variance to standards.
• Monitor inventory transactions and processes including scrap, inventory, and COGS to ensure accuracy and compliance with corporate policies
• Monthly manufacturing and overhead variance research, analysis and reporting, including labor/overhead absorption by product lines
• Prepare and analyze department expense variances (actual to budgets/forecasts), monthly revenues & associated gross margin analysis

• Assists Cost Manager in understanding costs, variances, and other operating measures, including product/SKU level margins through key strategic reports
• Identify potential issues and coordinate issue resolution/problem solving with other functional teams
• General ledger reconciliation responsibility of all inventory and cost of goods sold accounts
• Coordinates required inventory reserves and ensure compliance with periodic cycle counts and physical inventory and reconcile results
• Participates in the annual budgeting process, including preparation of standard costs
• Drive the development of procedures and controls that ensure meaningful and reliable product costs and accurate inventories
• Assist with the documentation and compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley
• Prepare for and participate in internal and external reviews and audits
• Involved, as time permits, in FP&A and general ledger support as well as special projects
• Such other duties as assigned from time-to-time.

Job Complexity

This position requires a comprehensive understanding of general and cost accounting principles.  Works on problems of diverse scope where analysis of data requires reconciliation and evaluation of identifiable factors. Requires the exercise of judgment within generally defined practices and policies in selecting methods and techniques to obtain solutions.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree, major in Accounting or Finance, with a depth of skills in accounting (both financial and managerial).
• Knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
• SAP experience required.

Desired Experience, Knowledge, and Skills

• Strong communication skills, ability to present cost information in a meaningful understandable way
• Ability to question norms and respectfully challenge others
• Good team building skills including trust, professionalism, and be able to garner consensus across diverse groups
• Self-motivated and ability to work independently and collaboratively and strong organizational skills are essential
• Robust internal controls understanding and documentation of all financial processes and transactions
• Detail oriented, ability to accomplish multiple tasks within the agreed upon timeframes through effective prioritization of duties and functions in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to work in a time-sensitive and high-volume environment
• Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Office suite and related tools