Accounting Associate - Level III

We are looking for a talented Accounting Associate – Level III to join our team specializing in Finance for our Cummins Inc. facility in Columbus, IN.  

In this role, you will make an impact in the following ways: 

• Ensuring Accuracy: By completing account reconciliations and analyses, you will ensure financial data is accurate and dependable.
• Streamlining Processes: Your role in the month-end close process will help streamline operations and improve efficiency.
• Providing Insights: Through compiling and analyzing accounting and finance information, you’ll provide valuable insights that inform decision-making.
• Supporting Compliance: Preparing standard journal entries and performing complex reconciliations will support compliance with accounting standards and regulations.
• Enhancing Reporting: By preparing tables, charts, and other exhibits, you will enhance the clarity and effectiveness of financial reports.
• Driving Projects: Participating in complex accounting projects will drive improvements and innovations within the finance department.
• Adapting to Needs: Performing ad hoc reporting requests will ensure that the organization can quickly adapt to changing needs and priorities.
• Working Independently: Your ability to perform activities under minimal supervision will demonstrate your reliability and capability, contributing to the overall success of the team.

To be successful in this role you will need the following: 

• Customer Focus: Build and maintain strong relationships with both internal and external customers. 
• Decision Quality: Make well-informed and timely decisions that help keep the organization moving forward. 
• Financial Analysis: Analyze financial data to identify trends, variances, and improvement opportunities, provide actionable insights to stakeholders, and ensure data integrity through variance investigation and implementation of effective corrective actions.
• Financial Internal Controls: Assess and strengthen internal controls to mitigate financial reporting risks. 
• Financial Regulations Acumen: Stay current on financial regulations, ensure compliance, and educate stakeholders to support accurate transaction recording and reporting.

Education/Experience

• High school diploma or certificate of completion of secondary education or equivalent experience to the extent such experience meets applicable regulations.

• A two-year University degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field preferred.

• Requires significant relevant work experience or specialized skills obtained through education, training, or on-the-job experience.

Additional Information

This role is fully on-site and is not eligible for hybrid work arrangements. The selected candidate will be required to report daily on-site and work directly with the Finance and Operations teams.

Core Responsibilities, or Activities Unique to the Role:

• Lead daily financial performance reporting for plant operations, including Sales, Scrap, and Operating Supplies Cost KPIs, providing timely analysis to support operational decision-making and performance improvement.
• Manage and validate key manufacturing finance processes, including warehouse cost allocations, freight expense reviews, premium freight analysis, indirect inventory controls, and excess and obsolete inventory assessments.
• Support accounting, capital, and fixed asset management activities by preparing journal entries during month-end close, performing balance sheet account reconciliations, supporting supplier payment processes, reviewing capital investment forecasts, monitoring assets under construction, and ensuring timely asset capitalization, proper asset tagging and compliance within the production environment.

Preferred Skills, Education, and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Solid understanding of financial reporting, inventory accounting, fixed asset management, and month-end close processes.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and ERP systems, with the ability to analyze complex data, identify trends, and support informed business decisions.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration skills, with the ability to effectively partner with stakeholders across the organization.
• Experience supporting financial operations within a manufacturing or industrial environment, with exposure to supply chain, logistics, and plant operations.
• Knowledge of inventory control practices, capital project accounting, and financial processes that support operational performance and asset management.
• Familiarity with continuous improvement methodologies, such as Six Sigma, and a demonstrated ability to contribute to process optimization initiatives.
• Ability to balance attention to detail with strategic thinking while supporting operational and financial objectives in a dynamic environment.