CA&D Principal Analyst

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 Principal Analyst is responsible for Senior level plant accounting functions of assigned area, with a strong emphasis on financial statement variance analysis and maintenance of accounting controls. In this role, he/she also is a significant contributor in Management goals of continuous improvement and operational excellence at strategic and tactical levels. The Principal Analyst regularly participates in the review of best practices, initiates projects, communicates ideas to management, engages groups across numerous functions, and represents his/her division as an active participant on project teams.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

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

• Responsible for the accounting of a specific manufacturing plant or product line, including complete ownership of the P&L, Manufacturing Statement, and Balance Sheet accounts.
• Executes month-end, quarter-end, and annual close duties. Prepares accruals and records journal entries. Maintains general and supporting sub-ledger balances. Prepares monthly, quarterly and annual reconciliations for assigned areas and accounts.
• Ensures accuracy of inventory. Performs month-end inventory reconciliation and revaluation procedures, maintains slow moving/obsolete reserves, and manages overall inventory controls. Supports inventory reporting.
• Manages accounting for long-term maintenance service agreements. Ensures accurate/timely recognition of operational and capital expenses as work is completed, in compliance with contract terms and Corporate accounting policies.
• Manages billing to third parties for site service agreements and adherence to contract terms.
• Validates intercompany transactions and balances monthly with counterparties.
• Performs detailed review of financial statement information, explains material variations, and confirms the financial results are accurately represented before the period is closed.
• Ensures adherence to and effectiveness of internal control in areas of responsibility.
• Manages numerous deadlines and responds promptly to management requests.
• Coordinates and supports activities across locations and departments.
• Collaborates regularly with Corporate Logistics group, maintains sound processes surrounding transportation/distribution cost accruals and forecasting.
• Prepares and distributes monthly/quarterly reporting packages for various management teams.
• Prepares monthly forecasts and assists in preparation of annual operating expense and capital budgets.
• Assists in the development and maintenance of financial models used for forecasting, budgeting, and analysis.
• Operates as the key financial expert and communications liaison for assigned plant/products.
• Assists plant management with site cost savings/profit improvement programs.
• Assists business leadership with detailed profitability assessments.
• Identifies process and reporting gaps and drives for corrective action. Leads continuous improvement and value initiatives.
• Cross-trains and shares best practices with other team members.
• Researches and applies technical US GAAP requirements.
• Facilitates internal and external audit requests.
• Performs additional ad-hoc analysis and reporting, and other duties as assigned by manager.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Periodic supervisory responsibility may be assigned over Senior Accountants to accomplish projects on a timely basis. The Principal Analyst will serve as a prominent leadership model and mentor to Senior Accountants.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting with three plus years of progressive accounting experience in public accounting or 5 years in industry is required. Public accounting experience strongly preferred.
• CPA, CMA or Master's degree preferred.
• Experience in a manufacturing environment working with A/P, General Accounting, Payroll, Inventories, Fixed Assets, Cash Accounting, Financial Analysis & Reporting and Multi-plant and budgeting is also preferred.
• Experience in Purchase Accounting is a plus.
• Knowledge of SAP and BPC accounting systems is preferred.
• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Strong financial analysis and cost accounting experience is required. Skills necessary to analytically review/explain accounting results and financial data, substantiate financial statement balances as well as prepare financial statement account reconciliations
• 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
• Skilled at identifying, measuring, evaluating and improving, if needed, the effectiveness of accounting, managerial, financial and operational controls
• Thorough attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent problem resolution and decision-making skills
• 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

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. 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.

If you are an active Westlake employee (or an employee of any Westlake affiliates), please do not apply here. Please go to your Workday homepage and click on the "Careers" worklet and view "Westlake Career Opportunities".