Accounting Manager

Career Area:

Job Description:

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other.  We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.

Role Definition

Manages the financial record keeping, reporting, tax filing and other accounting functions for the organization.

Responsibilities

• Producing accurate and timely financial reports, for internal and external use, in accordance with GAAP and in compliance with section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

• Preparing or leading preparation of reports which summarize and forecast business activity and financial position in areas of income, expenses, and earnings, based on past, present and expected operations.

• Ensuring the accounting policies and practices of the organization are followed; working closely with internal auditors, public accountants, federal tax examiners, and other financial professionals ensuring that practices are in line with the overall goals of the organization.

• Overseeing and evaluating the activities of the accounting staff, and providing for their professional development; analyzing and solving accounting problems.

Degree Requirement

Degree or equivalent experience desired

Skill Descriptors

Analytical Thinking: Knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis; ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems.

Level Extensive Experience:

• Seeks discrepancies and inconsistencies in available information; explains variances.

• Organizes and prioritizes the sequence of steps to be taken to remedy the situation.

• Identifies many possible causes for a problem based on prior experience and current research.

• Approaches a complex problem by breaking it down into its component parts.

• Chooses among a diverse set of analytical tools according to the nature of the situation.

• Quantifies the costs, benefits, risks, and chances for success before recommending a course of action.

Effective Communications: Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors.

Level Extensive Experience:

• Reviews others' writing or presentations and provides feedback and coaching.

• Adapts documents and presentations for the intended audience.

• Demonstrates both empathy and assertiveness when communicating a need or defending a position.

• Communicates well downward, upward, and outward.

• Employs appropriate methods of persuasion when soliciting agreement.

• Maintains focus on the topic at hand.

Judgment and Decision Making: Knowledge of the decision-making process; ability to carefully evaluate the impact of emerging business situations and choose the best path forward communicating actions and activities that maximize organizational performance.

Level Working Knowledge:

• Discerns between "signal" and "noise" when considering courses of action.

• Selects the right activities to work on from a range of competing priorities.

• Stands by decisions in the face of conflict or unexpected outcome.

• Makes the transition from evaluation to conclusion readily and in a timely manner.

• Revisits decisions when appropriate, but infrequently and without disrupting focus.

Managing People: Knowledge of processes involved in managing people; ability to lead successful teams, and diligently address issues related to performance and conflicts at the workplace.

Level Working Knowledge:

• Assesses the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task; delegates work accordingly.

• Explains how the team's work contributes to the success of the organization; creates a shared vision.

• Reviews progress and performance of employees; addresses bottlenecks or concerns impending employee growth.

• Uses multiple channels such as meetings, e-mails, newsletters to communicate important messages with the team regularly.

• Works with employees to set and define performance standards and career development goals; supports in achieving them.

Accounting: Knowledge of accounting methods, processes, and tools; ability to maintain and prepare financial statements and reports using accounting methods and processes.

Level Extensive Experience:

• Supervises all aspects of an accounting function.

• Consults on the effectiveness and efficiency of accounting process flow.

• Oversees the process and data flow between accounting systems and sub-systems.

• Develops an accounting system for the management of assets, liabilities and transactions.

• Formulates accounting practices for general ledger, A-P, A-R and assets.

• Evaluates the organization's and industry's practices on how capital assets are depreciated.

Financial Analysis: Knowledge of tools and approaches of financial analysis; ability to read, interpret and draw accurate conclusions from financial and numerical material.

Level Working Knowledge:

• Applies principles used to evaluate the economics of investment decisions.

• Interprets major types of financial statements issued by the organization.

• Utilizes basic qualitative and quantitative tools and techniques with proficiency.

• Works with a specific financial analysis tool set.

• Implements valid financial analysis aligned with key criteria.

Financial Reporting: Knowledge of processes, methods, and tools of financial reporting; ability to create and maintain accurate and thorough financial reports.

Level Extensive Experience:

• Designs and interprets varied and complex financial reports.

• Advises others on the methods and purposes to create accurate financial reports.

• Monitors and ensures accuracy of the use of a variety of financial report-writing tools.

• Updates or establishes organizational standards for financial reports.

• Consults others on identifying, tracing, and correcting errors in financial reports.

• Creates and customizes organizational methods and procedures for financial reports.

This position requires the candidate to work a 5-day-a-week schedule in the office.

About Caterpillar

Caterpillar Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. For nearly 100 years, we’ve been helping customers build a better, more sustainable world and are committed and contributing to a reduced-carbon future. Our innovative products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value that helps customers succeed.

Posting Dates:

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply

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