Senior Accountant

Prestolite Electric, Leece-Neville North America; Town of Arcade (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Prestolite Electric, Leece-Neville North America is seeking a Senior Accountant to ensure accurate financial records, support reporting, and strengthen internal controls. You will drive month-end close, perform financial analysis, and support audits while partnering with operations and leadership to meet objectives.

The role emphasizes GAAP compliance, process improvements, and cross-functional collaboration with finance and operations to deliver timely, reliable financial information.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
• CPA designation preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience.
• Experience in manufacturing, corporate accounting, or public accounting preferred.
• Strong understanding of GAAP and financial reporting requirements.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and review monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Maintain the general ledger and ensure all transactions are recorded accurately and timely.
• Analyze account balances and perform detailed account reconciliations.
• Prepare and post journal entries in accordance with GAAP and company policies.
• Investigate and resolve accounting discrepancies and variances.
• Lead assigned components of the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process.
• Ensure all close activities are completed within established deadlines.
• Review accruals, reserves, and other critical accounting estimates.
• Coordinate cross-functional close activities with other departments.
• Support and maintain strong internal controls over financial reporting.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, company policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in SOX compliance activities, including documentation and testing of controls.
• Recommend and implement process improvements to strengthen controls and increase efficiency.
• Serve as a primary contact for internal and external auditors.
• Prepare audit schedules, supporting documentation, and reconciliation reports.
• Address audit inquiries and assist in resolving audit findings.
• Analyze financial results and explain fluctuations from budget, forecast, and prior periods.
• Assist in budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning activities.
• Provide meaningful financial insights to management to support decision-making.
• Develop and maintain financial reports and KPIs.
• Identify opportunities to improve accounting processes and workflows.
• Assist with ERP implementations, upgrades, and system enhancements.
• Develop standardized procedures and documentation for accounting activities.
• Leverage technology and automation to improve efficiency and accuracy.
• Provide guidance and training to staff accountants and accounting team members.
• Review work prepared by junior staff for accuracy and completeness.
• Support departmental initiatives and contribute to a collaborative team environment.

Skills

Advanced Excel

ERP systems

Analytical skills

Written & verbal communication

Prioritization & deadlines

Integrity & detail oriented

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

CPA designation preferred

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Microsoft Dynamics

Job description

Position Summary

The Senior Accountant is responsible for ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial records, supporting financial reporting, maintaining compliance with accounting standards and internal controls, and driving process improvements across the accounting function. This role serves as a key contributor to month-end close activities, financial analysis, and audit support while partnering with operational and business leaders to achieve organizational objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Reporting & General Ledger Management

• Prepare and review monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Maintain the general ledger and ensure all transactions are recorded accurately and timely.
• Analyze account balances and perform detailed account reconciliations.
• Prepare and post journal entries in accordance with GAAP and company policies.
• Investigate and resolve accounting discrepancies and variances.

Month-End and Year-End Close

• Lead assigned components of the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process.
• Ensure all close activities are completed within established deadlines.
• Review accruals, reserves, and other critical accounting estimates.
• Coordinate cross-functional close activities with other departments.

Internal Controls & Compliance

• Support and maintain strong internal controls over financial reporting.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, company policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in SOX compliance activities, including documentation and testing of controls.
• Recommend and implement process improvements to strengthen controls and increase efficiency.

Audit Support

• Serve as a primary contact for internal and external auditors.
• Prepare audit schedules, supporting documentation, and reconciliation reports.
• Address audit inquiries and assist in resolving audit findings.

Financial Analysis & Business Support

• Analyze financial results and explain fluctuations from budget, forecast, and prior periods.
• Assist in budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning activities.
• Provide meaningful financial insights to management to support decision-making.
• Develop and maintain financial reports and key performance indicators (KPIs).

Process Improvement & Systems

• Identify opportunities to improve accounting processes and workflows.
• Assist with ERP implementations, upgrades, and system enhancements.
• Develop standardized procedures and documentation for accounting activities.
• Leverage technology and automation to improve efficiency and accuracy.

Leadership & Mentorship

• Provide guidance and training to staff accountants and accounting team members.
• Review work prepared by junior staff for accuracy and completeness.
• Support departmental initiatives and contribute to a collaborative team environment.

Success Measures

A Successful Senior Accountant Consistently

• Delivers accurate and timely financial reporting.
• Ensures reconciliations and close activities are completed on schedule.
• Maintains strong compliance with internal controls and audit requirements.
• Identifies process improvements that increase efficiency and reduce risk.
• Serves as a trusted financial resource to business partners and leadership.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
• CPA designation preferred.

Experience

• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience.
• Experience in manufacturing, corporate accounting, or public accounting preferred.
• Strong understanding of GAAP and financial reporting requirements.

Skills & Competencies

• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
• Experience with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, etc.).
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• High level of integrity, accuracy, and attention to detail.