Director Financial Accounting Freight Equipment & Services

Job Description

The Senior Controller – Freight Equipment & Services leads the controllership function for the Company’s Freight Equipment and Services businesses, representing approximately $5.5 billion in annual revenue. These operations manufacture locomotives, mining drive systems, and marine and stationary drill engines, and provide aftermarket parts and services for original equipment. The portfolio also includes long-term service agreements and locomotive modernization solutions.

The Senior Controller partners closely with Freight Equipment and Services finance leadership to ensure the integrity and accuracy of financial reporting, provide insight into financial performance, and enhance forecasting precision. This role is also responsible for maintaining a strong internal control environment and driving continuous process improvements across finance and accounting activities.

Key Accountabilities

• Serve as a trusted advisor to segment finance leadership, supporting financial analysis and decision-making particularly on complex and non-standard transactions, including application of ASC 606 to commercial arrangements involving over-time accounting, fair market value allocations, contract combinations and modifications.
• Support the contract performance and margin review process to ensure accurate forecasting and accounting for long-term contracts.
• Lead the quarter-end balance sheet review process presenting key analyses at a contract level, including drivers of variances and responses to executive-level inquiries; coordinate the month-end close process, including resolution of ad hoc issues, in collaboration with finance and operations teams.
• Oversee the review and approval of manual journal entries, ensuring accuracy, proper accounting treatment, and adherence to documentation standards and internal control requirements.
• Collaborate with international finance teams on local statutory filings and audits, serving as the bridge to ensure accurate conversion and alignment with U.S. GAAP for consolidated reporting, and to ensure SOX compliance.
• Oversee the development, maintenance, and communication of accounting policies, including training and design of controls to ensure consistent application and compliance.
• Drive process improvements and strengthen internal controls across finance and accounting activities.
• Manage relationships with internal and external auditors, coordinating audit requests, testing, and communications.

Required Management/Technical Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance
• CPA or equivalent professional certification
• 8+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience, including leadership roles within public multinational manufacturing organizations and/or public accounting firms
• Strong technical accounting expertise, including deep knowledge of U.S. GAAP (with emphasis on ASC 606) and experience with complex and judgmental transactions
• Demonstrated ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams and senior leadership
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex accounting matters into clear business insights
• Willingness to travel and work extended hours as required

Preferred qualifications

• Advanced degree (e.g., MBA)
• Experience with ERP, consolidation, and reporting tools (e.g., Oracle, OneStream, Power BI), as well as familiarity with AI-enabled tools
• Experience with M&A transactions and hedge accounting

Personal Skills and Characteristics

• Results-driven and highly motivated, with a strong sense of ownership and a demonstrated commitment to achieving business objectives
• Hands-on leader with strategic mindset, combining strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking capabilities
• Sound judgment and effective decision-making skills in complex and high-impact situations
• Maintains focus on accountability, driving standardization, best practices, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and under pressure, with the ability to adapt quickly and make informed decisions with incomplete information
• Unwavering commitment to integrity, ethics, and professional standards

Additional Information

Our job titles may span more than one career level. The salary rate for this role is currently $120600-171800 The actual salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors, such as: training, transferable skills, work experience, education, business needs, market demands and work location. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. More information on offered benefits, which include health, welfare, and retirement, are available at mywabtecbenefits.com. Other benefit offerings for this role may include annual bonus, if eligible.

What could you accomplish in a place that puts People First?

At Wabtec, it’s not just about a job - it’s about the impact you make. When our people come together, we’re Expanding the Possible by continuously improving what we do and how we do it - for our clients and each other.

If you’re ready to revolutionize how the world moves for future generations, Wabtec is the place for you.

Who are we?

Wabtec is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions, and value-added services for the freight and transit rail sectors. Drawing on more than 150 years of experience, we are leading the way in safety, efficiency, reliability, innovation, and productivity. Whether it’s freight, transit, ports, logistics, mining, industrial, or marine, our expertise, technologies, and people together – are accelerating the future of transportation. With roots that date back to George Westinghouse, Thomas Edison, and Louis Faiveley, Wabtec has always built technologies and implemented solutions for a variety of sectors that are critical to meeting the needs of customers and governments alike.

Our global team of about 30,000 employees worldwide delivers performance that moves the world forward. We’re lifelong learners, obsessed with better. Learn more at www.WabtecCorp.com.

Culture powers us and the possibilities.

We believe the best ideas come from a mix of experiences and backgrounds. At Wabtec, we strive every day to create a place where everyone belongs. We’re building a culture where leadership, inclusion and your unique perspective fuel progress.

We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome talent of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities, including race, gender, age, disability, veteran status and more.

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