Accounting Manager

SUMMARY

The Manager - Accounting directs the accounting, reporting and planning activities of multiple plants within the Siding & Trim business. This position regularly interacts with the S&T business and operations heads and oversees the monthly accounting close. This position has a team of 5 reports to oversee and manage.

ACCOUNTING DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

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

• Manage all accounting and financial reporting activities for multiple plants in Siding & Trim business unit (including but not limited to general accounting records and GL maintenance, fixed assets, intercompany reconciliations, inventory accounting) in compliance with company policies and procedures
• Responsible for the timely completion of accurate financial statements and supporting materials on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis
• Proactively prepare analysis of operational and financial results for the business units
• Produce management reports and analysis for Operations and Senior Management focusing on key financial and operational metrics of the businesses
• Ensure inventory costing is complete and accurate
• Coordinate the preparation of the Annual Budgets and the monthly cycle forecasts as a part of a multi-disciplined team within the business units
• Collaborate and liaise with plant operations personnel to ensure standard costs are maintained and updated according to company policy
• Work with the shared services group to ensure effective management of AR and AP
• Ensure appropriate and adequate controls in the accounting and reporting areas.  Enforce SOX process control compliance by staff.
• Prepare and submit supporting SEC data and other regulatory reporting and filing data as necessary
• Continuously assess business and departmental processes, and make changes to improve efficiency and productivity
• Work closely with external and internal auditors and provide data and analyses as needed.
• Provide leadership to the Finance team and ensures assigned responsibilities are completed on an accurate and timely basis. Ensure departmental goals and objectives are aligned with company and divisional strategies and priorities
• Responsible for keeping current with technical accounting pronouncements and trends, analyzing their impact on the Company, and application of new accounting pronouncements in accordance with Westlake policy.
• Monitor and identify major performance areas for enhancement / process improvement
• Assist in HR related activities:  attendance, recruitment, orientation, employee development and training, performance management and compensation
• Any additional responsibilities, projects or tasks as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• B.S. Degree in Accounting or equivalent with ten plus years of progressive accounting experience, preferably in both public accounting and the private sector, preferably with a manufacturing company.  Some allowances can be made in the experience requirement for higher education, credentials or related work.
• Completion of a university degree in Accounting, Finance or Business
• CPA and/or MBA required
• Minimum of 10 years of previous accounting experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably as a Controller.
• Line management partnership and collaboration skills
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a managerial or leadership role
• Strong knowledge of cost accounting, budgeting, and financial analysis including key trends analysis and business case analysis
• Excellent knowledge of accounting principles and concepts
• Experience in a Sarbanes Oxley reporting environment
• Experienced with ERP systems, preferably SAP and JDE
• Must be proficient with spreadsheet programs, including Excel. 
• Success driven and self-motivated
• Superior problem-solving skills and proven analytical ability
• Ability to make recommendations on key financial and operating decisions
• Ability to set and meet deadlines.

 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, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 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 up to 20% including air travel or auto travel may occasionally be required.