Westwood Shipping Lines Hiring for Senior General Ledger Accountant Job at Washington State Full Time

POSITION SUMMARY

This position reports to the Director of Accounting, is a member of the Accounting department, and supports general ledger accounting and analysis. The Senior General Ledger Accountant supports monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close processes, prepares journal entries, reconciles financial balances and accounts, ensures data accuracy, and consistently meets deadlines. This position works on more complex matters than General Ledger Accountants. This position may review the work of and provide training for General Ledger Accountants.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Supports the VP of Compliance & Chief Accounting Officer and Director of Accounting responsibilities to establish and maintain the company’s accounting principles, practices, procedures, and initiatives.
• Responsible to maintain assigned accounts for the US and Far East Agencies’ general ledgers, this task is shared among General Ledger Accountants and Senior General Ledger Accountants. Senior General Ledger Accountants are responsible for the more complex accounts.
• Responsible to maintain the two foreign subsidiaries’ general ledgers and support the General Ledger Accountants to maintain foreign subsidiaries’ general ledgers, as assigned.
• Contributes significantly to monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes.
• Records financial transactions to the general ledgers through journal entries for accrual, deferral, reclassification, depreciation/ amortization, currency revaluation, intercompany, and a variety of other types of activities.
• Prepares a high volume of both standard and complex general ledger journal entries with complete and substantiating backup documentation, submitted accurately, and by established deadlines.
• Reconciles and performs analysis for a high volume of both standard and complex general ledger accounts monthly. This requires preparing and submitting reconciliation files with complete and substantiating backup documentation to ensure account balances and transactions are correct, complete, and in compliance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and company policies, accurately and on time per established deadlines.
• Calculates and generates multiple Agents’ commission statements throughout the month, as assigned.
• Calculates and generates multiple Agents’ outgoing funding statements weekly, as assigned.
• Calculates and generates multiple vessel owners’ funding statements throughout the month, as assigned.
• Provides guidance and review for General Ledger Accountant’s calculation and generation of Agents’ commission, Agents’ outgoing funding, and vessel owners’ funding statements throughout the month.
• Works on complex accounting issues facing the company that require a higher degree of company knowledge, detail, and review.
• Performs accounting and tax research as necessary to ensure compliance with GAAP, tax, and other regulatory requirements regarding various complex issues facing the company.
• Responsible to maintain inventory records and coordinate physical inventory counts.
• Responsible to monitor in-process capital projects, record tangible and intangible capital asset additions by purchase and finance lease, track existing assets, record depreciation and amortization, and account for capital asset disposals.
• Responsible to complete and support the General Ledger Accountant to complete new supplier account setup and update existing supplier accounts in the accounting system including appropriate document retention, as assigned.
• Supports development, documentation, and periodic review of accounting policy and procedures.
• Responsible to provide training to General Ledger Accountants upon hire and in the event of procedural change.
• Has the primary role in ongoing quarterly release testing and documentation for the company’s primary business software and accounting systems.
• Serves as the primary representative for the Accounting Department on matters of general ledger accounting for the company’s primary business software system.
• Supports positive relationships with several external service providers to the business.
• Assists on an as-needed basis with budget and planning, and external audit.
• Contributes to team effort by performing other duties as assigned and accomplishing related results as needed.

SUPPLEMENTAL FUNCTIONS

Performs other duties as needed and/or assigned.

KEY WORK RELATIONSHIPS

The Senior General Ledger Accountant will work closely with employees, other departments, agents, and suppliers. This position requires clear and effective communication that is respectful of individual personalities and cultural differences.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or equivalent.
• Minimum of five years’ experience with key financial accounting and tax functions.
• Minimum of seven years’ experience in accounting positions with progressively increasing levels of responsibility.
• Experience self-managing and working in a team environment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Proficient computer software skills to include but not limited to Microsoft Office Products.
• Intermediate skill in utilizing Microsoft Excel.
• Strong working knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Good working knowledge of internal controls: assessment, development, and monitoring.
• Experience working in multiple general ledgers, accounting for consolidations, and accounting for foreign currency translation.
• Experience with tax treatment for consolidations and foreign currency translation.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills.
• Strong analytical skills and problem-solving ability.
• Ability to identify issues, analyze options, and recommend a course of action to supervisor.
• Attention to detail, strong organizational skills and driven to meet deadlines.
• Self-starter, able to work with minimal supervision.
• Must enjoy a dynamic environment and be able to remain flexible and manage multiple priorities.
• Strong prioritization skills and ability to balance multiple tasks successfully.
• Familiarity with the maritime and/or transportation industries desired but not required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

To successfully perform the essential duties of this position, an individual must be able sit or stand for prolonged periods at a desk. The work environment consists of exposure to physical conditions typical of a normal office environment. Most of the job is performed while sitting, although the work may require occasional standing or walking and/or the lifting and carrying of small objects up to approx. 25 lbs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to assist individuals with disabilities to perform essential position functions. Due to the nature of work required by this position, at times, business needs will dictate additional hours over a standard 40-hour work week.

LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER

The above position description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work performed; it is not intended as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and required skills for the position. Westwood Shipping Line employees will be required to follow any other position-related instructions and to perform other duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State laws. Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities necessary to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an “at-will” basis.

COMPANY SUMMARY

Westwood Shipping Lines is a wholly owned subsidiary of a holding company formed by a consortium of Japanese stevedore companies. Westwood operates a fleet of vessels in the North Pacific, providing marine transportation between the Pacific Northwest (United States and Canada) and Asia. The international shipping company generates $200M+ in consolidated revenue. The corporate office is in the South Hill area of Puyallup, Washington.

Our approach to success is our personal service and versatility combined with reliable schedules and superior handling capabilities to safely transport your cargo. Oversized cargo, containers, breakbulk, and forest products sail together on Westwood ships. Our flexible ship design permits safe and efficient handling of all types of cargo – no matter how bulky or fragile.

Westwood’s people make the difference. Our dedicated customer service and delivery teams provide a personalized approach that is unique in today’s transportation environment.

Please visit the website at: www.wsl.com

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $80,000.00 – $90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance
• Work from home

Physical Setting:

• Office

Supplemental Pay:

• Bonus pay

COVID-19 considerations:
All employees must be fully vaccinated.

Work Location: Multiple Locations