Staff Cost Accountant

USG; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Vision & dental

401(k) with company match

Pension plan

Paid time off & holidays

Job summary

USG, a Chicago-based builder materials leader, seeks a Staff Cost Accountant to support the Operations Plant Accounting team. Hybrid role with three days in the Chicago HQ, focusing on daily and monthly accounting, inventory control, project costing, and cross-location reconciliation.

The role requires an undergraduate accounting/finance degree (CPA preferred) and up to 2 years of accounting experience; 2+ years in cost or manufacturing accounting is a plus.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge and ability to learn and apply technical accounting concepts in accordance with US GAAP and IFRS.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Unquestioned integrity, moral character, ethics and values -- one whom an organization can trust without reservation.
• Ability to prioritize and handle multiple projects.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong Microsoft Office computer skills (VBA is a plus).
• Experience with Oracle preferred.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with a team of accountants to close books for manufacturing and warehouse locations.
• Maintain Oracle Project Accounting activity including project creation, transaction review, corrections, and reporting.
• Prepare and analyze reconciliations for balance sheet accounts.
• Prepare month-end journal entries and general ledger analysis, ensuring compliance with accounting standards and policies.
• Investigate abnormal cost activity and variances in plant cost results.
• Support physical inventory reconciliations and ad hoc analyses as requested.
• Contribute to process improvements and internal controls.

Skills

US GAAP & IFRS

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Multitasking

MS Office (VBA)

Education

Undergraduate degree in accounting or finance

CPA preferred

Tools

Oracle

Job description

Staff Cost Accountant

USG stands for opportunity. We know that opportunity looks different to each person, and we are proud that we see opportunity in everyone.

Company Overview

USG is a leading manufacturer of building materials and innovative solutions that was originally formed in 1902. We produce a wide range of products for use in new residential, new nonresidential, and residential and nonresidential repair and remodel construction as well as products used in certain industrial processes. Headquartered in Chicago, we serve construction markets around the world with wall, ceiling, flooring, sheathing and roofing products that enable our customers to build the outstanding spaces where people live, work and play. Our network of plants, mines, quarries, and other facilities includes dozens of manufacturing locations and thousands of employees across North America. For additional information, visit www.usg.com.

Position Overview

There are two (2) openings for this role on the Operations Accounting team.

Reporting to the Senior Cost Accountant (Team Lead), this hybrid (three days per week in Chicago HQ office) position is part of a team of accounting professionals that is responsible for completing the daily and monthly accounting tasks, inventory control and reconciliation, and project accounting functions for various manufacturing and warehouse locations. This role will support the Operations Plant Accounting team by investigating accounting questions and issues utilizing judgment and guidance from accounting standards and USG policies, procedures and practices.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate and share responsibilty with of a team of accountants that perform the following for USG’s manufacturing and warehouse locations:
• Performs all monthly, quarterly and annual accounting tasks required to close the books for all manufacturing and warehouse locations and to complete the individual plant cost books;
• Maintains Oracle Project Accounting activity including project creation, transaction review and correction, reconciliation and reporting.
• Prepares and analyzes account reconciliations for balance sheet accounts.
• Prepare month-end journal entries and complete general ledger account analysis. Ensure that all transactions are recorded in compliance with applicable accounting standards and company policies. Demonstrate professional skepticism in the course of preparing journal entries and analyzing transactions.
• Analytically review monthly plant cost results against previous periods and investigate abnormal cost activity and operating results.
• Participate in performing all physical inventory reconciliations, including investigation and analysis of variances.
• Respond timely to requests for information and reports from internal customers and company management in various departments.
• Participate in the development and implementation of accounting process change by analyzing current procedures and recommending changes. Take initiative to continually improve efficiency in accounting and reporting processes and internal control policies.
• Assist with ad hoc projects assigned by senior management including analysis of business operations, proposed accounting treatment of unusual transactions or other accounting and finance related matters.
• Update job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities, reading professional publications, maintaining personal networks, and participating in professional organizations.

Candidate Profile

Education

• Undergraduate degree in accounting or finance preferred, or relevant accounting course work with 2 years equivalent experience.

CPA

• CPA preferred.

Experience

• No experience required with undergraduate degree in accounting or finance. Otherwise, 2 years of experience in areas such as public accounting, corporate accounting, management accounting, and/or internal audit; cost accounting experience is strongly preferred.

Required Skills

• Strong knowledge and ability to learn and apply technical accounting concepts in accordance with US GAAP and IFRS.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Unquestioned integrity, moral character, ethics and values -- one whom an organization can trust without reservation.
• Ability to prioritize and handle multiple projects.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong Microsoft Office computer skills (VBA is a plus).
• Experience with Oracle preferred.

Behavioral Competencies

• Accountability
• Communicates with impact
• Drives for results
• Technical performance
• Personal and organizational effectiveness

Rate of Pay

Rate of pay may be adjusted based on the qualifications and experience of the candidate.

Benefits

• USG employees enjoy a number of benefit options for themselves and their families. These include two medical insurance options, as well as vision and dental coverage.
• The cost of these optional programs varies based on coverage level - employees generally pay 25% of the monthly premium cost, USG pays the rest. These coverage options are offered on the first day of employment with no waiting period.
• USG also offers a 401(k) Investment Plan with company match and a pension plan.
• Beyond these main features, employees may also choose from a number of additional programs like life insurance, accident insurance, legal insurance, even pet insurance, just to name a few.
• USG offers Quarterly (hourly) / Annual (salary) bonus potential for all employees based on performance metrics tied to safety, quality, and productivity.
• USG also provides employees with paid time off and paid holidays.