The Shepherd Material Science Company is a group of manufacturing companies that develop specialty metal-based chemicals and complex inorganic color pigments. These companies consist of The Shepherd Chemical Company, The Shepherd Color Company, and Glass Coatings & Concepts. Performing meaningful work with trusted, talented colleagues is our formula for success and being a great place to work. Every day, our employees relentlessly pursue Shepherd’s Core Purpose and Core Values.

Job Description

The Senior Accountant plays a critical role in the Shared Services Accounting team, working closely with other members of the team, company management, and external auditors and tax accountants. The Senior Accountant is responsible for the day-to-day accounting activities of the company, as well as the month end close and issuing of financial statements for multiple companies in the group. We are seeking a professional who desires to create and improve business processes and present recommendations from experience, data, reporting, and best practices. We need someone comfortable presenting findings and recommendations to the Accounting Shared Services Manager and the team. We are seeking someone who is proactive, pays close attention to details, and is driven by deadlines. This position is part of a highly integrated team and will support all activities of the team so it can achieve its purpose.

Responsibilities

• Perform monthly close activities to ensure timely and accurate reporting; includes preparing and posting monthly journal entries, account reconciliations, account analysis and investigation, issue resolution and coordination with other team members within the Shared Services Accounting team
• Participate in the year-end financial statement audit through preparation of audit work papers and effectively responding to specific requests and inquiries from the external audit team
• Perform daily cash application for Accounts Receivable and daily cash account reconciliations.
• Develop tools and systems to provide financial and operational information to senior managers, and other managers.
• Eager to present and recommend solutions around processes, controls and systems at Shepherd and lead or assist in the enhancement, development, and implementation of those initiatives 
• Participate in initiatives that provide a better understanding of the company’s business and operations and improves US GAAP and foreign statutory compliance
• Assist with establishing and monitoring an appropriate and effective system of internal controls. Implement and maintain reporting procedures to comply with internal control requirements.
• Take an active role in standardization of accounting processes across the group. 
• Develop and monitor business performance metrics with an emphasis on unlocking improvement opportunities.
• Perform continuous assessment of the close process and process re-engineering to reduce the timing to close the financial period.
• Participate in and/or lead other projects as required.

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting required; CPA or MBA preferred.
• Minimum of three years of experience as an Accountant or Auditor, preferably in a process manufacturing environment.

Required Skills

• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate and manage well at all levels of the organization and with staff at remote locations. 
• Demonstrated problem solving and creative skills and the ability to exercise sound judgment and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated US GAAP experience
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills.
• High level of integrity and dependability with a strong sense of urgency.
• Results oriented approach to work.
• Very detail-oriented, highly motivated, and analytical.
• High degree of professionalism.
• Always works well in a team environment with the team’s success in mind.
• Focused on career growth and development.
• Effective driver of continuous improvement and automation. Demonstrated ability to leverage information systems and data analytics to improve management insight and reduce administrative costs. 
• Expertise with the Microsoft Office suite.

Desired Skills

• Previous experience with SAP S/4 HANA

Benefits

Full-time team members receive:

• Competitive Pay
• Health and Life Insurance (eligibility date of hire)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Short and Long-Term Disability
• Paid Parental Leave
• Company 401K Contribution (eligibility date of hire)
• Company Bonus eligibility
• Fitness Membership subsidy
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Career Development

EEO Statement

The Shepherd Material Science Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age (40 or over), disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

Accounting, MBA, CPA, SAP, Month-end, daily cash, Accountant, Finance, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Reporting, GAAP, manufacturing