Job Title: Staff Accountant
Requisition Number: FIN/PLAN-3377
Interest Category: Accounting / Finance
Hourly/Salary: Salary
City: Mission Viejo
State: California
Country: United States
Shift: Days
Job Description:
The Accountant II performs professional accounting work, including reconciling general ledger accounts, analyzing and verifying financial data and account reports, compiling information regarding accounting practices and procedures and related compliance issues, as well as providing overall support for the general accounting needs for the Company’s U.S. divisions. The role reports directly to the Accounting Manager who in turn, reports directly to the U.S. Divisional Controller.
Position Responsibilities
Prepares monthly general journal entries, income and balance sheet statements, account reconciliations, and various other accounting statements and reports and provides interpretation of results as appropriate to support an accurate and timely monthly financial close for the Company’s U.S. divisions by: (50%)
- Performing all tasks associated with the general ledger, including entering monthly journal entries and executing monthly closing entries;
- Maintaining integrity of general ledger transactions;
- Ensuring that the general ledger is closed within the timelines of the Company’s closing schedule;
- Performing account analysis and reconciliations and performing correcting journal entries;
- Ensuring that all financial statements are presented in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and appropriate financial variance analyses are provided timely to management; and
- Developing strong working relationships with the coworkers and other departments.
Analyzes financial data and prepares account reconciliations by: (15%)
- Navigating and extracting data from financial systems to investigate and resolve outstanding items as appropriate;
- Reviewing, validating, and processing transactions;
- Providing useful, timely, and accurate analysis of financial results and information to the Accounting Manager; and
- Developing and maintaining current and accurate account reconciliations.
Supports the ongoing preparations for Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance, including developing process narratives and desk procedures with limited guidance by: (15%)
- Performing periodic testing for compliance with written policies and procedures as part of the overall SOX program;
- Assisting in the continued development and documentation of SOX-related policies, procedures, and internal controls;
- Assisting in administering and enforcing all accounting policies and procedures; and
- Supporting the creation, development, and maintenance of the department’s process documentation and flowcharts.
Effectively communicates and escalates issues and information to the Accounting Manager or other appropriate levels of management on a timely basis by: (10%)
- Understanding general departmental processes to be able to identify unusual transactions or issues; and
- Providing timely communication to the Accounting Manager or other management to support an effective resolution.
Provides general assistance and support to the Accounting Manager by preparing ad hoc reports and financial analysis by: (5%)
- Developing an understanding of GAAP and related processes for which the staff is responsible to provide general support to the Accounting Manager and management; and
- Effectively communicate results of the analysis to the Accounting Manager.
Provides, suggests and supports alternatives to work processes that will increase efficiencies and financial results by: (5%)
- Developing strong understanding of the accounting and business processes that the staff is responsible for;
- Identifying process inefficiencies and helping to support the identification of the underlying root causes;
- Partnering with other finance and non-finance groups to support design and implement process improvements; and
- Supporting the control and monitoring of the implementation to ensure change is being followed and is operating effectively.
The position responsibilities outlined above are in no way to be construed as all encompassing. Other duties, responsibilities, and qualifications may be required and/or assigned as necessary.
Quantitative Dimensions
Decision Making:
The Accountant II must have good problem solving and reasoning skills in order to be able to make logical day-to-day departmental decisions with limited involvement from Management.
Supervisory/Lead
Responsibilities:
The Accountant II must be able to demonstrate an ability to lead small projects or initiatives effectively in order to have the potential for promotion within the Company.
Scope of Position:
The Accountant II spends the majority of his/her time performing accounting-related activities in the GL department based in Mission Viejo, CA with regular direction and guidance from the Senior Accountants and Accounting Manager. This includes general accounting and analysis, project participation, and other regulatory and compliance-based functions.
Position Requirements
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Required:
- Demonstrated knowledge of full-cycle accounting process, including account reconciliation.
- Demonstrated knowledge of accounting for and maintaining Fixed Assets in a manufacturing environment.
- Demonstrated knowledge of SOX compliance processes and procedures.
- Demonstrated skill in maintaining accurate financial records and preparing clear and accurate reports for informational, auditing and operational use.
- Ability to interpret, apply and explain complex laws, codes, regulations and ordinances.
- Skill in maintaining accounting records for special accounts and projects.
- Demonstrated ability to make sound, independent judgments within established policies and procedures.
- Strong interpersonal and oral/ written communication skills with the ability to relate well and cooperate with other members of management and other departments.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent assignments while meeting deadlines and demanding quality execution.
- Ability to develop understanding of financial reporting to support process and transition to the G/L group.
- Ability and desire to grow in the position and accept more responsibility.
- Demonstrated ability to take initiative in providing new ideas to improve process efficiencies.
- Demonstrated advanced skills with the standard features of various personal computer word processing and spreadsheet software (Microsoft Word and Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Internet, and other financially-related and proprietary software).
Education/Experience:
Required:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Finance.
- 2+ years of public accounting experience. (Big 4 preferred).
- 2+ years of accounting experience in a manufacturing environment.
- Experience with an ERP system (SAP preferred).
Competencies:
- Decision Making: Identifying and understanding issues; problems, and opportunities; comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints, and probable consequences.
- Work Standards: Setting high standards of performance for self and others’ assuming responsibility and accountability for successfully completing assignments or tasks; self imposing standards of excellence rather than having standards imposed.
- Planning and Organizing: Establishing courses of action for self and others to ensure that work is completed efficiently.
- Adaptability: Maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or the work environment; adjusting effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures.
- Building Partnerships: Identifying opportunities and taking action to build strategic relationships between one’s area and other areas, teams, departments, units, or organizations to help achieve business goals.
- Technical/Professional Knowledge and Skills: Having achieved a satisfactory level of technical and professional skill or knowledge in position-related areas; keeping up with current developments and trends in areas of expertise.
- Stress Tolerance: Maintaining stable performance under pressure or opposition (such as time pressure, or job ambiguity); handling stress in a manner that is acceptable to others and to the organization.
- Initiating Action: Taking prompt action to accomplish objectives; taking action to achieve goals beyond what is required; being proactive.
- Communication: Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the message.
- Gaining Commitment: Using appropriate interpersonal styles and techniques to gain acceptance of ideas or plans; modifying one’s own behavior to accommodate tasks, situations and individuals involved.
- Continuous Learning: Actively identifying new areas for learning; regularly creating and taking advantage of learning opportunities; using newly gained knowledge and skill on the job and learning through their application.
Requisition Number: FIN/PLAN-3377
Interest Category: Accounting / Finance
Hourly/Salary: Salary
City: Mission Viejo
State: California
Country: United States
Shift: Days
Job Description:
The Accountant II performs professional accounting work, including reconciling general ledger accounts, analyzing and verifying financial data and account reports, compiling information regarding accounting practices and procedures and related compliance issues, as well as providing overall support for the general accounting needs for the Company’s U.S. divisions. The role reports directly to the Accounting Manager who in turn, reports directly to the U.S. Divisional Controller.
Position Responsibilities
Prepares monthly general journal entries, income and balance sheet statements, account reconciliations, and various other accounting statements and reports and provides interpretation of results as appropriate to support an accurate and timely monthly financial close for the Company’s U.S. divisions by: (50%)
- Performing all tasks associated with the general ledger, including entering monthly journal entries and executing monthly closing entries;
- Maintaining integrity of general ledger transactions;
- Ensuring that the general ledger is closed within the timelines of the Company’s closing schedule;
- Performing account analysis and reconciliations and performing correcting journal entries;
- Ensuring that all financial statements are presented in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and appropriate financial variance analyses are provided timely to management; and
- Developing strong working relationships with the coworkers and other departments.
Analyzes financial data and prepares account reconciliations by: (15%)
- Navigating and extracting data from financial systems to investigate and resolve outstanding items as appropriate;
- Reviewing, validating, and processing transactions;
- Providing useful, timely, and accurate analysis of financial results and information to the Accounting Manager; and
- Developing and maintaining current and accurate account reconciliations.
Supports the ongoing preparations for Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance, including developing process narratives and desk procedures with limited guidance by: (15%)
- Performing periodic testing for compliance with written policies and procedures as part of the overall SOX program;
- Assisting in the continued development and documentation of SOX-related policies, procedures, and internal controls;
- Assisting in administering and enforcing all accounting policies and procedures; and
- Supporting the creation, development, and maintenance of the department’s process documentation and flowcharts.
Effectively communicates and escalates issues and information to the Accounting Manager or other appropriate levels of management on a timely basis by: (10%)
- Understanding general departmental processes to be able to identify unusual transactions or issues; and
- Providing timely communication to the Accounting Manager or other management to support an effective resolution.
Provides general assistance and support to the Accounting Manager by preparing ad hoc reports and financial analysis by: (5%)
- Developing an understanding of GAAP and related processes for which the staff is responsible to provide general support to the Accounting Manager and management; and
- Effectively communicate results of the analysis to the Accounting Manager.
Provides, suggests and supports alternatives to work processes that will increase efficiencies and financial results by: (5%)
- Developing strong understanding of the accounting and business processes that the staff is responsible for;
- Identifying process inefficiencies and helping to support the identification of the underlying root causes;
- Partnering with other finance and non-finance groups to support design and implement process improvements; and
- Supporting the control and monitoring of the implementation to ensure change is being followed and is operating effectively.
The position responsibilities outlined above are in no way to be construed as all encompassing. Other duties, responsibilities, and qualifications may be required and/or assigned as necessary.
Quantitative Dimensions
Decision Making:
The Accountant II must have good problem solving and reasoning skills in order to be able to make logical day-to-day departmental decisions with limited involvement from Management.
Supervisory/Lead
Responsibilities:
The Accountant II must be able to demonstrate an ability to lead small projects or initiatives effectively in order to have the potential for promotion within the Company.
Scope of Position:
The Accountant II spends the majority of his/her time performing accounting-related activities in the GL department based in Mission Viejo, CA with regular direction and guidance from the Senior Accountants and Accounting Manager. This includes general accounting and analysis, project participation, and other regulatory and compliance-based functions.
Position Requirements
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Required:
- Demonstrated knowledge of full-cycle accounting process, including account reconciliation.
- Demonstrated knowledge of accounting for and maintaining Fixed Assets in a manufacturing environment.
- Demonstrated knowledge of SOX compliance processes and procedures.
- Demonstrated skill in maintaining accurate financial records and preparing clear and accurate reports for informational, auditing and operational use.
- Ability to interpret, apply and explain complex laws, codes, regulations and ordinances.
- Skill in maintaining accounting records for special accounts and projects.
- Demonstrated ability to make sound, independent judgments within established policies and procedures.
- Strong interpersonal and oral/ written communication skills with the ability to relate well and cooperate with other members of management and other departments.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent assignments while meeting deadlines and demanding quality execution.
- Ability to develop understanding of financial reporting to support process and transition to the G/L group.
- Ability and desire to grow in the position and accept more responsibility.
- Demonstrated ability to take initiative in providing new ideas to improve process efficiencies.
- Demonstrated advanced skills with the standard features of various personal computer word processing and spreadsheet software (Microsoft Word and Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Internet, and other financially-related and proprietary software).
Education/Experience:
Required:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Finance.
- 2+ years of public accounting experience. (Big 4 preferred).
- 2+ years of accounting experience in a manufacturing environment.
- Experience with an ERP system (SAP preferred).
Competencies:
- Decision Making: Identifying and understanding issues; problems, and opportunities; comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints, and probable consequences.
- Work Standards: Setting high standards of performance for self and others’ assuming responsibility and accountability for successfully completing assignments or tasks; self imposing standards of excellence rather than having standards imposed.
- Planning and Organizing: Establishing courses of action for self and others to ensure that work is completed efficiently.
- Adaptability: Maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or the work environment; adjusting effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures.
- Building Partnerships: Identifying opportunities and taking action to build strategic relationships between one’s area and other areas, teams, departments, units, or organizations to help achieve business goals.
- Technical/Professional Knowledge and Skills: Having achieved a satisfactory level of technical and professional skill or knowledge in position-related areas; keeping up with current developments and trends in areas of expertise.
- Stress Tolerance: Maintaining stable performance under pressure or opposition (such as time pressure, or job ambiguity); handling stress in a manner that is acceptable to others and to the organization.
- Initiating Action: Taking prompt action to accomplish objectives; taking action to achieve goals beyond what is required; being proactive.
- Communication: Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the message.
- Gaining Commitment: Using appropriate interpersonal styles and techniques to gain acceptance of ideas or plans; modifying one’s own behavior to accommodate tasks, situations and individuals involved.
- Continuous Learning: Actively identifying new areas for learning; regularly creating and taking advantage of learning opportunities; using newly gained knowledge and skill on the job and learning through their application.