Accountant - Financial Reporting

Westlake is looking for a Financial Reporting Accountant to support our Corporate team. This is a great opportunity to gain the industry specific knowledge and with time to have an opportunity to advance to a Senior Accountant role.

SUMMARY

The Financial Reporting Accountant will be primarily responsible for SEC and regulatory financial reporting. This position reports to the Manager of Financial Reporting (and/or Financial Reporting Supervisor). Duties include assisting in the preparation of documentation/files for reporting processes, including preparing SEC documents, reviewing information received from various teams, researching technical accounting issues and documenting conclusions, performing analysis of financial statements, suggesting areas of improvements in various processes and participating in special projects covering various aspects of financial reporting.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

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

• Prepare and compile supporting documents for the financial statements and footnote disclosures.
• Ensure accuracy and compliance with US GAAP and SEC reporting requirements for all quarterly and annual financial information.
• Lead XBRL tagging of the 10-K and 10-Q financial statements.
• Prepare cash flow statements involving local and international locations.
• Perform variance analysis on periodic financial statements.
• Perform the accounting, recording of journal entries and preparation of disclosures related to derivative financial instruments, including commodity hedge contracts, interest rate swap instruments and foreign currency hedge contracts.
• Prepare monthly internal management reports.
• Prepare statutory financial statements and supporting binder.
• Prepare benefit plan financial statements and supporting binder.
• Prepare government surveys and other compliance reports.
• Assist in the coordination and support of the annual audit and quarterly review activities with external auditors.
• Assist with research and documentation of technical accounting and financial reporting requirements under US GAAP and SEC using all available tools; perform primary thinking, recommend disclosure requirements and accounting treatment for complex transactions based on such research.
• Remain abreast of changes in currently accepted accounting principles versus the company’s accounting methods to ensure compliance and changes that may be advantageous to the company.
• Ensure adherence to and effectiveness of internal control in own area of responsibility.
• Monitor and identify major performance areas for enhancement via automation.
• Perform the primary thinking encompassed by this job description.
• Comply with all company policies and procedures.
• Fully supports company goals of continuous improvement and operational excellence at strategic and tactical levels including reviewing area of responsibility for improvement opportunities to initiate projects or communicate ideas to management as well as active participation on project teams.
• Any additional responsibilities or tasks as assigned.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting with three plus years of progressive reporting (including SEC reporting) experience in both public accounting and private sector is preferred, preferably with a chemical or refinery company.
• Those with only public accounting audit experience of at least two to three years (preferably with chemical industry) are also encouraged to apply.
• CPA and/or MBA preferred.
• Knowledge of SEC reporting and GAAP is critical for this position.
• Knowledge of computerized accounting systems including SAP and SAP EPM is critical to the position. Must be proficient with Microsoft Office, including Excel (required).
• Demonstrated knowledge and ability in researching and documenting new accounting guidance and the accounting treatment of complex issues.
• Facilitate and coordinate multiple deadlines, create cohesive teams, and respond quickly to management requests.
• Able to put in extra time and effort to meet the reporting deadlines.
• Able to work across multiple cultures.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

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.