Accounts Payable Analyst - Data-Driven Process Improvement

Sherwin-Williams Co.; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Sherwin-Williams Co. is seeking a Finance Analyst in Accounts Payable to support internal teams, vendors, and cross‑division customers across U.S., Canadian, and Jamaican operations.

You will handle inquiry resolution, data analysis, and timely financial reporting while building strong relationships with vendors and stakeholders. The role is based at our Hinckley Parkway building in Cleveland, OH, and is not hybrid/remote.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration.
• 2+ years of experience in Business or Finance.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Invoice Routing and Issue Resolution
• Manage invoices received through shared email boxes, paper mail, and electronic channels.
• Route invoices accurately through applicable financial systems and sub‑systems.
• Research and resolve invoice discrepancies related to pricing, receiving, quantities, and other variances, ensuring issues are addressed from initial processing through final payment.
• Utilize system data to identify patterns in recurring invoice discrepancies and recommend corrective actions.
• Report Review, Data Analysis, and Trend Identification
• Analyze key Accounts Payable reports—including Hold, Open Receipt, and Debit Balance reports to identify root causes, recurring errors, and process breakdowns.
• Perform detailed aging analyses of open payables to ensure timely resolution and mitigate financial exposure.
• Review metrics from process improvement initiatives to evaluate impact, success rates, and sustainability, providing insights and trend summaries to management.
• Proactively monitor data indicators to recommend workflow or policy adjustments that enhance operational efficiency
• Vendor and Internal Partner Support with Analytical Insight
• Serve as a primary point of contact for external suppliers and internal stakeholders, providing phone and email support to resolve invoice, system, and payment issues.
• Troubleshoot AP system usage questions, invoice holds, and payment inquiries, leveraging system data to guide users to accurate resolution paths.
• Analyze and adjust invoice and vendor records to ensure correct financial impact and prevent downstream reporting issues.
• Build strong, proactive relationships with vendors and internal teams to reduce payment delays and avoid disruptions in supply chain operations.
• Collaborate with global partners—including Global Supply Chain Accounting, IT, Business Process Improvement, Purchasing, divisional accounting, and field personnel—to resolve cross‑functional issues and support standardized processes.
• Management of Additional Accounts Payable Processes
• Prepare and review chargebacks, refund requests, and other vendor‑related adjustments.
• Perform analytical review of data loads to validate accuracy and address anomalies before posting.
• Conduct vendor statement reconciliations, identifying discrepancies and ensuring resolution through data validation and follow‑up.
• Balance Sheet Account Reconciliation and Analytical Review
• Perform monthly balance sheet reconciliations for AP‑related accounts, identifying accounting issues within AP systems and supporting resolution of reconciling items.
• Conduct aging analysis on balance sheet accounts to maintain compliance with departmental standards and ensure accurate representation of liabilities.
• Utilize reconciliation trends to highlight recurring issues and recommend corrective measures
• Special Projects and Process Improvement Initiatives
• Contribute analytical expertise to continuous improvement projects, using data measurement tools, performance indicators, and trend analysis to recommend efficiency enhancements and cost‑reduction opportunities.
• Assist leadership with reporting needs, root‑cause analysis, and evaluation of operational performance metrics.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration

Job description

Sherwin-Williams Co. is seeking a Finance Analyst in Accounts Payable to support internal teams, vendors, and cross‑division customers across U.S., Canadian, and Jamaican operations.

You will handle inquiry resolution, data analysis, and timely financial reporting while building strong relationships with vendors and stakeholders. The role is based at our Hinckley Parkway building in Cleveland, OH, and is not hybrid/remote.