Advanced Inventory Accounting Specialist

JOB SUMMARY:

Under limited supervision, provides inventory and cost accounting support to DENSO locations across North America. Ensures the accuracy, completeness, and timely reporting of inventory balances, cost of goods sold, and related reserves. Partners with operations, supply chain, procurement, and finance teams to resolve issues, strengthen internal controls, and improve inventory processes. May lead projects or project steps within a broader project and has accountability for ongoing activities and objectives.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Computes cost value of raw materials work in process and finished goods for inventory purposes. 
• Analyzes actual costs versus standard costs and prepares reports of variances. 
• Compiles cost data for preparation of operating budgets. 
• Prepares estimates of new or proposed product costs. 
• Prepares lower-of-cost-or-net-realizable-value analyses, landed cost calculations, margin analyses, and other requested cost calculations.
• Calculates and documents capitalized freight based on the inventory turnover ratio, including periodic updates, reasonableness reviews, and related month-end journal entry support.
• Calculates and analyzes excess, obsolete, and slow-moving inventory reserves in accordance with company policy and applicable accounting standards.
• Maintains standard costs and supports periodic or annual standard-cost roll processes, including bills of material, routings, overhead rates, and variance validation.
• Maintains ledgers and financial statements. 
• Prepares financial reporting for inventory area, as needed. 
• Monitors inventory adjustments. 
• Responsible for all inventory/cost related journal entries for month end close. 
• Responsible for reconciling all inventory/cost related GL accounts in a timely manner. 
• Performs inventory subledger-to-general-ledger reconciliations, investigates reconciling items, and drives timely resolution of aged balances.
• Prepares and maintains month-end close schedules, account reconciliation support, and clear documentation for management review.
• Analyzes PPV (purchase price variance) and IPV (invoice price variance) each month to ensure accuracy of standard costs and PO pricing. 
• Works with other departments to improve physical inventory taking, with support from higher level. 
• Supports cycle counts and annual physical inventories, reviews count variances, evaluates root causes, and coordinates corrective actions with warehouse and operations teams.
• Executes and documents inventory-related internal controls, including J-SOX controls, and provides supporting schedules and explanations for internal and external audits.
• Uses ERP and reporting tools to analyze inventory transactions, identify data or system issues, and partner with stakeholders on corrective actions.
• Documents accounting procedures and identifies opportunities to standardize, automate, and strengthen inventory and cost accounting processes.
• May lead projects or project steps within a broader project or have accountability for ongoing activities or objectives. 
• Performs other duties as assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or related field 
• 5-8 years of relevant experience with at least 2-5 years of that experience must be in inventory/cost accounting 
• Knowledge of GAAP/IFRS is required, along with an understanding of current accounting operational structure (financial close, gross profit, J SOX, etc.)
• Experience with ERP inventory and costing modules and advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookups, and large-data analysis, are required.
• Experience in a manufacturing, distribution, or multi-location environment is preferred.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills to discuss or transmit primarily factual information to internal and external customers in the normal course of performing duties 
• Strong analytical skills to investigate, interpret and reconcile information from several distinct sources in situations where conclusions or resolutions are discernible 
• Customer service skills to display a service-oriented attitude in addressing and responding to customer issues 
• Advanced understanding of accounting principles 
• Strong knowledge of inventory valuation, standard costing, variance analysis, inventory reserves, and related financial statement impacts.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet month-end close deadlines, maintain attention to detail, and communicate issues and recommendations clearly to stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ownership of internal controls, audit support, process documentation, root-cause analysis, and sustained corrective actions.
• Cross functional team member 
• Advanced process improvement (kaizen) mindset

BENEFITS SUMMARY: 

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drug plans  
• 401K with 4% Company Match 
• Vacation/PTO and 13 paid Holidays 
• Bonus Program 
• FSA/HSA and Dependent Care Programs 
• Company provided Life, Disability, ADD and Business Travel Insurance 
• Various No Cost Wellness & Chronic Condition Management Programs 
• Various Optional Insurance programs such as legal, identity theft, critical illness, etc. 
• Tuition Reimbursement  
• Career Development and Ongoing Training  
• Employee Assistance Program  
• Employee Spotlight and Recognition Program 
• Volunteer Opportunities  
• Onsite Fitness Center (vary by location) 
• Cafeteria and food markets (vary by location)  
• Onsite Health Clinic and Pharmacy (vary by location) 

Annual Salary: $107,000 - $133,000