Associate Director Division Controller - Chlorovinyls

Westlake; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 200,000 - 270,000; Full time

Job summary

Westlake is seeking a top accounting executive for the Chlorovinyls unit to lead the accounting function and provide strategic financial support to Commercial and Operations leadership.

This role requires extensive US GAAP expertise, SOX compliance, and experience in monthly closes, forecasting, and budgeting across multiple sites. Travel up to 20% may be required.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Accounting with twelve plus years of progressive accounting experience.
• CPA, CFA and/or MBA preferred.
• Supervisory/Management experience in a Corporate Accounting Department or Division of a large manufacturing company.

Responsibilities

• Oversee monthly close in US GAAP and ensure accurate closing.
• Drive analytical support and business partnership for Chlorovinyls leadership.
• Ensure SOX compliance and maintain internal controls documentation.
• Coordinate internal and external audits and address audit findings.
• Lead the Chlorovinyls accounting team across sites and drive process improvements.

Skills

Financial analysis

Business partnership

US GAAP

SOX compliance

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's in Accounting

CPA / CFA / MBA preferred

Job description

This position serves as the top accounting management position for the Chlorovinyls business unit with strong business partnership and analytical support to the Chlorovinyls commercial and operational leadership. Chlorovinyls is Westlake’s largest individual Strategic Business Unit (SBU) with significant complexity given the integrated chain of production, manufacturing footprint, and commercial and customer outlets for its products. The role is responsible for analytical decision support and analysis of the business, ensuring accurate Chlorovinyls accounting in accordance with US GAAP, ensuring compliance with internal operational controls and SOX controls, reporting and analysis of monthly results to Executive Management, accounting and finance support of special projects such as business improvement initiatives, and overseeing the monthly forecast and annual budget processes.

ACCOUNTING DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

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

• Provide in-depth analysis and communication of financial data and business intelligence to enhance the operations of the Chlorovinyls business.
• Strong partnership to both financial and business leadership to influence strategic decisions in the Chlorovinyls business.
• Oversee Chlorovinyls accounting during the monthly close to ensure accurate closing in accordance with US GAAP and make decisions on accounting issues that arise during the close.
• Drive support for the Chlorovinyls business and operations leaders in presenting, explaining and understanding monthly, quarterly and annual financial results.
• Ensure appropriate financial controls and reviews and Chlorovinyls SOX compliance, including documentation and testing of key controls.
• Coordinate and support internal and external audit requests for the Chlorovinyls business to ensure timetables are met; address potential issues and internal audit reports related to the business unit.
• Review monthly financial performance and forecasts for Chlorovinyls, providing insight into variances, trends and key drivers. Provide insight and criticality to business forecasts.
• Oversee and help coordinate the Chlorovinyls annual operating budget activities, assisting business and operations leadership in budgeting and long-range planning.
• Assist the Segment Controller in assuring that accounting policies and practices are being consistently applied across the Chlorovinyls business, in alignment with Westlake standards. Drive process improvements and standardization to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Work closely with the Chlorovinyls accounting team in planning and completing process improvement initiatives to enhance accuracy, efficiency, controls and transparency.
• Oversee the accounting team in preparation of the Chlorovinyls monthly forecast, business unit/segment-level reporting, review of each site’s results prior to close and review of key reserves and estimates.
• Strong leadership skills to guide team consisting of [35-40] individuals both at the corporate office and plant sites in a positive, collaborative and effective manner.
• Any additional responsibilities, projects or tasks as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• B.S. Degree in Accounting or equivalent with twelve plus years of progressive accounting experience, preferably in both public accounting and the private sector, preferably in the Chemical or related global, asset-heavy industries.
• CPA, CFA and/or MBA preferred.
• Previous Supervisory/Management experience in a Corporate Accounting Department or Division of a large manufacturing company.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

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 20% including air travel or auto travel may occasionally be required.