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Director of Corporate Accounting

gates_training
Full-time
On-site
Denver, Colorado, United States
IT

Driven by Possibility
 
Gates Corporation is a leading manufacturer of application-specific fluid power and power transmission solutions. At Gates, we are driven to push the boundaries of materials science to engineer products that continually exceed expectations.
 
We don’t rest on our rich heritage of innovation. We leverage it to inspire solutions that will power the next hundred years. We invest continually in R&D and technology, so our products not only outperform industry standards; they exceed our customers’ demanding expectations. We invest in our people, bringing real-world experience that enables us to solve our customers’ diverse challenges of today and anticipate those of tomorrow. And we are constantly expanding our product catalog and value-added service offerings to support every facet of our customers’ operations. In the most extreme environments and those more familiar, Gates is there with the right product, in the right place at the right time. Whether building original equipment or maintaining products in the aftermarket, we enable companies in every industry to be more efficient, productive, and profitable. 
 
We are Gates.
 
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Director of Corporate Accounting has responsibility for providing technical accounting expertise and leadership, plus day to day management and coaching to the Gates Corporate Center Accounting team. Gates Corporate Center consists of multiple reporting entities, with a focus on its Central Cost Operating Unit, comprising approximately $140 million in expenses.  Primary responsibilities include managing the closing of Oracle ledgers and HFM entities; government reporting; budgeting and forecasting, intercompany accounting and Global Pension Accounting.  Role will work closely with the various functional leaders in the business.
 
S/he will have extensive knowledge of the accounting finance functions as well as business processes and information flow, with a proven capability to communicate and collaborate with diverse functions in the company including operations, IT, HR, commercial, products, finance, distribution and executive leadership.  This person must be a self-starter with a “can do” attitude who can work independently, be entrepreneurial; is excited by new opportunities, have a hands on style; ability to work at multiple levels in the organization’s accounting/finance function and be comfortable in difficult situations. The successful candidate will be highly analytical, technically proficient, operationally and business savvy, a strategic and independent thinker and a confident financial management leader.
 
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  include the following.  Other duties may be assigned.
  1. Manages the Corporate Accounting team in all areas of general accounting, budgeting and forecasting, government reporting, and technical accounting.  
  2. Reviews and approves work prepared by Corporate Accounting Managers, including journal entries and account reconciliations, ensuring accuracy and compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
  3. Ensures compliance with Gates Mandate for Fundamental Financial Controls and existing SOX matrixes in all policies and procedures, as well as identifies and recommends control changes as required.
  4. Performs regular reviews of accounts of various business units, reinforcing compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, adherence to Gates polices, strong controls and standards to safeguard company assets and ensure financial reporting integrity.
  5. Sets expectations and assigns tasks to and ensures balanced workloads, delegates work, ensures tasks are being performed by the appropriate personnel and ensures cross training.   Provides leadership in a positive supportive fashion with emphasis on consistency, standardization and transparency.
  6. Is accountable for staff development, provides continuous coaching and development to team members to evaluate, motivate and develop the staff.  Performs performance reviews, defines and manages succession plans, identifies career development opportunities for staff and individual growth.  Holds team members accountable for performance issues. 
  7. May be assigned tasks including but not limited to review of various contracts that may have financial ramifications, preparation of Asset Based Loan Reporting, review of annual property tax filings and insurance questionnaires, analysis of healthcare and benefit costs, review of computation of workers compensation reserves and development factors and review of company life insurance accounting. 
 
 
  1. Serves as the executive liaison with senior management and functional and operating business unit leads to ensure functional and business unit needs are met and changing business requirements are reflected in accounting activities and processes.
  2. Supports external audits by facilitating the provision of data to external auditors and responding to inquiries in a timely and professional manner.
  3. Identifies improvement opportunities for processes, technology and procedures within the Corporate Accounting group, consistent with Gates requirements (content, accuracy, timeliness, formats, controls, etc.).
  4. Preparation of quarterly Global Pension Work.
  5. Coordination of Quarterly Risk and Exposures materials and meetings.
  6. Participate in special projects as directed by the Vice President Corporate Controller.
 
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Responsible for management of Corporate Accounting Team, with direct supervision of three managers.  Total Corporate Accounting team consists of seven individuals.


QUALIFICATIONS:  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions. 
  • Degree in Accounting or Finance, CPA preferred. Must have at least ten years of specific experience in related accounting roles with progressive responsibility.
  • Exceptional presentation and writing skills and the ability to convey a message that is understandable and relevant, linking business issues, financial results, and strategy.
  • Hands-on leadership style with great people development skills, including the ability to motivate, recruit, develop and retain high potential people.
  • Exceptional problem solving and analytical skills. Ability to analyze complex business problems and make sound business decisions.
  • Highly proficient at creating efficient and effective financial models, budgets and reports.
  • Highly motivated, pro-active leader, who is willing to do what it takes to get the job done.
  • Unquestionable integrity and discretion.
  • Goal-oriented with proven record of self-motivation and personal achievement.
  • Proactive and able to manage ambiguity effectively, excellent delegation capability. 
  • Expert accounting knowledge with experience in all areas of general accounting.
  • Works well under pressure, effectively handles conflict and demonstrates flexibility in work style to accommodate changing priorities and fixed deadlines.
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate with other accountants, functional specialists outside of Gates and business leaders.  Demonstrated ability to interpret data and provide meaningful information to both a financial and non-financial audience. 
  • Solid interpersonal communication skills allowing effective communication at all levels of the organization.
  • Demonstrates strong intellectual capability to seek quality solutions and continuously focusing on process improvements, challenging status quo, while keeping the needs of the business in the forefront.  Demonstrates the ability to see the big picture, conceptualize a strategic vision and translate into actionable, tactical plans.
  • Proven ability to drive cultural change, process improvement and cost/waste reduction through effective influence.
  • Experience with SOX processes and is committed to the importance of accounting standards and controls.
  • Strong grasp of technology including understanding of Oracle Financial modules, HFM and General Ledger systems and Microsoft Suite of Products.
 
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.
 
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
 
Gates Corporation is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of race, sex, color, religion, age, disability, pregnancy, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, genetic information, marital status, or any other consideration defined by law.