Senior Accountant

Westlake offers you the potential to enrich your work life and career experience in an entrepreneurial environment. We work together to enhance peoples' lives through our products and presence in the communities in which we operate.

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SUMMARY

The Senior Accountant is responsible for senior level plant accounting functions of assigned area, with a strong emphasis on financial statement variance analysis and maintenance of accounting controls.

In this role, he / she also is a significant contributor in Management goals of continuous improvement and operational excellence at strategic and tactical levels.

The Senior Accountant regularly participates in the review of best practices, initiates and supports projects, communicates ideas to management, engages groups across numerous functions, and represents his / her division as an active participant on project teams.

ACCOUNTING DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

May include, but are not limited to, the following :

• Responsible for the accounting of a specific manufacturing plant or product line, including complete ownership of the P&L, Manufacturing Statement and Balance Sheet accounts.
• Coordinate and support activities across locations and departments.
• Manage multiple deadlines and respond quickly to management requests.
• Execute month-end, quarter-end, and annual close duties, including accruals and reviewing financial information to ensure the financials are accurately and timely reported.

Prepare and post journal entries and reconcile accounts.

• Ensure adherence to and effectiveness of internal control in own area of responsibility. Maintain general and supporting sub-ledgers and prepare monthly, quarterly and annual reconciliations, for assigned areas and accounts.
• On a monthly basis, analyze variances with balance sheet accounts and income / expense reports, to identify any potential issues prior to close and report on unusual spending.

Understand root cause and drive for corrective action. Prepare monthly variance analysis and reporting packages for various management teams.

• Prepare and distribute daily, monthly, and quarterly reports, including the monthly reporting packages for variance analysis.
• Assist in the development and maintenance of financial models used for forecasting, budgeting and analysis.
• Preparation of monthly forecasts and assist in preparation of annual operating expense and capital budgets.
• Ensure accuracy of inventory. Perform month-end inventory revaluation procedures, establish slow moving / obsolete reserves, and handle overall costing of inventory.

Support inventory reporting.

• Process AP / AR intercompany transactions between companies and balance monthly with counterparts.
• Operate as the key financial accountant and communications liaison for assigned plant / product, providing overall control of the balance sheet and P&L for assigned plant / product.
• Assist plant management with the cost savings / profit improvement programs. Establish the savings tracking models. Verify financial information on the cost savings / profit improvement plans to ensure accuracy.
• Share best practices with other team members. Occasionally, he / she will serve as a back-up when team members are on vacation or absent.
• Research and application of technical US GAAP requirements. Identify and lead continuous improvement initiatives.
• Facilitate internal and external audit needs.
• Perform additional ad-hoc analysis and reporting, as requested. He / she will perform other duties and analysis as assigned by his / her supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting with three plus years of progressive experience in public accounting or four to five years plus in industry is required.
• CPA, CMA or Master’s degree is preferred.
• Experience in a manufacturing sector working with A / P, General Accounting, Payroll, Inventories, Fixed Assets, Cash Accounting, Financial Analysis & Reporting and Multi-plant and budgeting is also preferred.
• Knowledge of SAP and BPC accounting systems is preferred.
• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and / or ability required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Strong financial analysis and cost accounting experience is required. Skills necessary to analytically review / explain accounting results and financial data, substantiate financial statement balances as well as prepare financial statement account reconciliations.
• Ability to consistently meet deadlines.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Exhibits clear and concise written and verbal communication.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively at all organizational levels and across functional areas.
• Skill at identifying, measuring, evaluating and improving, if needed, the effectiveness of accounting, managerial, financial and operational controls.
• Thorough attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent problem resolution and decision-making skills.
• Sound planning and organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple concurrent assignments.
• Maintains professionalism and reacts well under pressure.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
• Demonstrated leadership as part of a cross-functional management team.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office including Excel.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee frequently is required to walk;

use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand and talk or hear.

The employee must regularly lift and / or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and / or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and / or move up to 50 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Flexibility in hours to meet deadlines. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate as normally based in an office.

Some of the work may be required in the operating units which can require usage of required PPE including safety glasses, hearing protection, etc.

May also result in exposure to outside elements and may require usage of stairs and elevators. Travel up to 10% including air travel or auto travel.

Westlake is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable legislation.

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