Sr Accountant - Automation & Technology (Salt Lake City)

Location Site: Salt Lake City, Utah (This will be an in-office hybrid work schedule)

SCOPE:

Christensen, Inc., is a mid-market fuel, propane, and lubricants distributor with operations in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, and has a mixed portfolio of 10,000+ accounts. The company's recent growth and future growth plans have created the need for an experienced Senior Accountant - Automation & Technology.

Reporting to the Assistant Controller - R2R the Senior Accountant - Automation & Technology is an integral member of Christensen's Controller Leadership Team. Working closely with the Controller, Assistant Controller - R2R, Assistant Controller - Operations, Director Indirect(GNFR) Procurement, Tax Director, and Finance Leadership, the incumbent will be responsible for performing all assigned responsibilities and actively identifying opportunities for automation and improvement in Christensen's functions as well as working to execute projects to document, transform and automate processes through people and technology creating, growing and leading together within a skilled, collaborative controllership team. The Senior Accountant will be responsible for developing and managing responsibilities including but not limited to company-wide fixed asset accounting, reconciliations, shareholder accounting, lease accounting, technical accounting, balance sheet ownership, G/L Accounting, Chart of Account Ownership, Payroll Accounting, and all other controllership operations. Responsibilities will include strategic identification and tactical implementation of projects to decrease back-office cost while increasing quality and volume capacity through automation, documentation, transformation, alignment/realignment, and other identified opportunities. Supporting the CFO's vision of autonomous finance will be a key to success. The incumbent will be expected to maintain monthly, quarterly, and annual metrics and goals and to continuously improve themselves and the processes owned, as well as helping peers to do the same in other areas of controllership team. The Senior Accountant will actively support a best-in-class team and foster a positive and proactive team-oriented environment in alignment with Christensen's Core Values and Executive Leadership's direction.

SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES & DELIVERABLES

• Identify opportunities for improvement and automation throughout the transaction cycle and follow through with documentation, transformation, and implementation with projects once prioritization process completed.
• Experience in using PowerAutomate, AI, RPA, ML, and Python.
• Manage the assigned tasks withing the accounting close cycle, own and be able to explain any variances in all assigned balance sheet accounts and implement improvements to decrease time to report and increase quality of results.
• Work collaboratively with supervisor and finance team to provide timely, accurate results combined with insightful analytics.
• Work collaboratively with supervisor and team to review and improve the company's balance sheet review and ownership processes.
• Prepare and submit periodic reporting to leadership on status of projects owned.
• Monitor assigned areas and actively support new initiatives.
• Work with members of the Controllership Leadership Team and business leaders to identify, prioritize and execute projects to improve the functions of the team as a whole.
• Develop and present ad hoc analytical requests.
• Work with peers and leadership team to build individual and team capability.
• Perform day-to-day operations of the accounting department.
• Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting.
• Perform assigned roles within the month-end and year-end closing processes.
• Actively identify and bring automation and other improvement opportunities forward for implementation.
• Present for approval and with approval implement automation and improvement in assigned reconciliations, journal entries.
• Prepare and analyze financial statements, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements.
• Support annual audits and reviews and PBC processes.
• Support compliance with tax regulations and filing requirements through collaboration with Controller and Tax Director.
• Develop and deliver meaningful insights via data analysis and collaboration throughout the budgeting and forecasting process.
• Deliver accounting guidance and support as needed to the business and other accounting and finance teams as needed.
• Design and implement repeatable standardized processes that are sustainable and scalable.
• Develop, maintain, ensure compliance, and own corporate policies related to all areas of responsibility.
• Lead response to all departmental audits both internal and external related to all areas of responsibility.
• Analyze and ensure reconciliation of all assigned balance sheet accounts.
• Support reconciliations and journal entries of fellow team members as needed.
• Maintain clean balance sheet accounts with no write-offs due to accounting errors or oversight.
• Help to guide financial decisions by establishing, monitoring, and enforcing policies and procedures.
• Protect assets by supporting the establishing, monitoring, and enforcing internal controls.
• Monitor and confirm financial conditions by conducting audits and providing information to external auditors.
• Develop and submit budgets by submitting schedules; collecting, analyzing, and consolidating financial data; recommending plans.
• Achieve budget objectives by scheduling expenditures; analyzing variances; initiating corrective actions.
• Provide status of financial condition by collecting, interpreting, and reporting financial data.
• Prepare special reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing information and trends.
• Comply with federal, state, and local legal requirements by studying existing and new legislation; anticipating future legislation; enforcing adherence to requirements; filing financial reports; advising management on needed actions.
• Complete operational requirements by scheduling and assigning employees, following up on work results.
• Recruit, acquire, and develop top talent.
• Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.
• Protect operations by keeping financial information and plans confidential.
• Contribute to team effort by helping team members as needed.
• Develop and provide information and reporting to internal business partners and external parties as needed with a focus on delivering business insights.
• Ensure a development plan and annual training plan are implemented and executed for yourself and all team members.
• Seek regular feedback from key stakeholders to identify areas of potential opportunity and improvement.
• Participate as part of the Business Leadership Team.
• Travel up to 25%. Mainly domestic.
• Other duties as assigned.

LEADERSHIP & TEAM REACH

• Understand and live our Core Values
• Create and promote a positive and supportive work environment.
• Encourage and communicate with fellow team members.
• Always thinking of new ways to improve work processes and efficiencies.
• Build a collaborative and respectful arrangement/tension with the Division Leadership teams such that there is an appropriate balance of customer service and education when accounting must maintain accounting rules, policies, and procedures.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Successful completion of 4 years of college with a bachelor's degree in accounting required.
• CPA license or Advanced degree in Accounting and CPA eligible highly preferred.
• Solid understanding of GAAP and past experience making correct decisions about complex transactions.
• Two to three years of experience in accounting research and automating accounting processes through a phased approach beginning with automation tools building the case for investment in "foundational systems".
• Three to five years of experience in process and control documentation and transformation/improvement.
• Be able to demonstrate and speak to hands-on experience with these competencies.
• Ability to analyze problems and opportunities by performing initial documentation and research; presenting viable options to leadership for decision; and then implementing and delivering promised results with little to no direction.
• Prefer demonstrated experience and skill in implementing automation tools (Ex. ServiceNow, Blackline, Automation Anywhere, Smartsheet, etc.) Require curiosity, willingness, and ability to research and implement automation in reconciliations, journal entries and other tasks assigned.
• Demonstrated ability to reduce close days and while also improving quality of work product, processes and system documentation.
• Experience with general ledger functions and the month-end/year end close process.
• Excellent accounting software and accounting tools skill and experience.
• Team player with ability to interact effectively cross-functionally and with all levels of management.
• Strong written and oral communication skills along with the ability to articulate analytical results and influence decisions for improvement projects to be initiated.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills, attention to detail, and ability to multitask in a fast-paced deadline driven environment.

PHYSICAL & MENTAL DEMANDS

• Operates in a professional office environment.
• Regularly required to stand, walk, sit for long periods of times, talk, and hear.
• Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers, with the ability to reach with hands and arms.
• This position requires the ability to occasionally lift office products and supplies, up to 20 pounds.

COMPANY OFFERED BENEFITS

• As Christensen continues to fuel exponential growth, we pursue to offer a diverse portfolio of benefits coupled with our compensation and bonus incentive programs. A few elements of our benefit programs include:
• Health Insurance Benefits:
  • Medical, Dental, Vision, plus Ancillary Plans.
  • Flexible Spending Accounts for Health and Dependent Care, and Health Savings Accounts.
  • Company provided long term disability and up to $50,000 of life insurance.
• 401(k) plan with a generous company contribution.
• Paid time off in addition to 7 company paid holidays.
• Parental Leave Program.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Employee Recognition Program.
• Employee Referral Bonus Program.