Senior Accountant

Westlake Chemical; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Westlake Chemical is seeking a Plant Controlling Sr. Accountant to own the financial control of the assigned plant, focusing on inventory, cost accounting, and monthly close. You will partner with Operations Managers and production staff to drive accuracy and continuous improvement.

This role interfaces with Headquarters and requires thorough GAAP knowledge, variance analysis, and preparation of reports and forecasts. CPA or CMA is preferred; multi-plant experience is a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting with 3+ years in public accounting or 4–5 years in industry.
• CPA, CMA or Master’s degree preferred.
• Cost accounting experience is a plus and manufacturing environment exposure is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Owns plant balance sheet and P&L for the assigned plant.
• Performs month-end, quarter-end, and annual close with accruals.
• Prepares journal entries and reconciles accounts.
• Ensures internal controls and accurate inventories.
• Performs variance analysis and reports to management.
• Supports cost saving and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Coordinates with plant staff on procedures and policies.
• Supports audits and fixed asset verifications.

Skills

Cost accounting

Inventory management

GAAP & financial analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

SAP

BPC

Excel

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting

CPA CMA preferred

Cost accounting knowledge

Tools

SAP

BPC

Excel

Job description

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.

SUMMARY

The Plant controlling Sr. Accountant is responsible for all plant accounting functions with a strong emphasis on inventory control as well as variance analysis. The position interfaces daily with the Operations Manager(s) and production staff to support continuous improvement and execute business strategy. This role ensures that accounting controls are maintained and that the plants’ financial objectives are understood by the operations staff. The Plant controlling Sr. accountant interacts with Headquarters functions including Accounting, Supply Chain & Logistics and IT personnel. Applies principles of accounting to analyze financial information and prepare financial reports by performing the following duties.

ACCOUNTING DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Operate as the key financial accountant for assigned plant, providing overall control of the balance sheet and P&L for assigned plant.
• Responsible for the P&L, Manufacturing Statement and Balance Sheet accounts.
• Coordinate and communicate with plant staff regarding corporate objectives, guidelines, procedures and policies and ensure compliance with same.
• 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 locations and accounts.
• On a monthly basis, analyze variances with balance sheet accounts and income/expense reports (manufacturing statements), to identify any potential issues prior to close and report on unusual spending.
• Understand root cause and drive for corrective action.
• Preparation of monthly variance analysis and reporting packages for various Management teams.
• Ensure accuracy of inventory.
• Assist with the periodic inventory verification process, ensuring that physical counts are properly performed within corporate guidelines and that adjustments are timely posted.
• Perform month-end inventory revaluation procedures, establish slow moving/obsolete reserves, and handle overall costing of inventory.
• Ensure inventory costs are accurate.
• Investigate month-end count variances and help with root-cause corrective actions.
• On a monthly basis, analyze the Inventory Cost Changes.
• Identify, explain, and report on manufacturing variances from standards.
• Support inventory reporting.
• Prepare and distribute daily, monthly, and quarterly reports, including the monthly reporting packages including variance analysis.
• Coordinate and support activities across locations and departments.
• Manage multiple deadlines and respond quickly to management requests.
• Preparation of monthly forecasts and assist with preparation of annual operating expense and capital budgets.
• Assist with preparation of Authorization for Capital Expenditures (AFE), including development of payback financial calculations.
• Review AFE's for compliance, financial integrity, and accuracy, as well as supervise the tracking of the AFE through the approval process.
• Ensure accuracy of fixed assets.
• Assist with the periodic verification (count) of fixed assets, ensuring that counts are properly executed and adjustments timely posted.
• Support fixed asset disposals and transfers to ensure the accounting is correct.
• Ensure goods receipts are properly accrued and matched with vendor invoices, so that outstanding items are cleared timely (GRIR and VIM processes).
• Ensure vendor invoices are properly processed by plant and purchasing personnel by coordinating and leading resolution efforts.
• 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.
• Facilitate internal and external audit requests.
• Identify and lead continuous accounting process improvement initiatives.
• Perform additional ad-hock analysis and reporting, as requested.
• Other duties and analysis as assigned by Manager.
• Share best practices with other team members.
• Occasionally, serving as a back-up when individuals are on vacation or absent.

QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting with three plus years of progressive accounting experience in public accounting or four to five years in industry is required. CPA, CMA, or Master’s degree preferred. Cost accounting experience is a plus. Experience in a manufacturing environment working with General Accounting, Inventories, Fixed Assets, Financial Analysis & Reporting and Multi-plant and budgeting is also preferred. Knowledge of cost accounting principles, financial statement preparation and analysis is required. Skills necessary analytically to review/analyze accounting and financial data, substantiate financial statement balances as well as prepare financial statement account reconciliation. Thorough attention to detail and accuracy. 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. 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. Knowledge of SAP and BPC accounting systems preferred.

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 must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 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 including air travel or auto travel may occasionally be required.

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

Westlake is a global manufacturer and supplier of materials and innovative products that enhance life every day. Headquartered in Houston, with operations in Asia, Europe and North America, we provide the building blocks for vital solutions — from housing and construction, to packaging and healthcare, to automotive and consumer. For more information, visit the company's web site at www.westlake.com. Westlake (NYSE: WLK) is a global diversified industrial company that manufactures and supplies essential products that enhance the daily lives of people around the globe. Our products, now under a One Westlake brand, supply the necessary building blocks for everyday products across housing and infrastructure, packaging and healthcare, and automotive and consumer goods. Consumers gain the benefits of materials Westlake produces in products such as food packaging, medical devices, soaps and detergents, car interiors, fashion, toys, shoes, furniture, electronics, siding, stone veneer, windows, outdoor living, roofing, and pipe & fittings. Westlake is proud to contribute to driving a sustainable future through the creation of essential products that are Enhancing Your Life Every Day®.