Cost Accounting Specialist Expert

As Cost Accounting Specialist Expert, you will have ownership for certain Operations accounting and cost management activities for the Strongsville, Grand Haven and West Chicago Powder manufacturing sites. This role ensures compliance with corporate accounting policies and provides timely, accurate financial information to support operational decision-making. The role will follow PPG's hybrid work policy, being based from PPG's Querétaro, MX office, supporting these US plant locations remotely. You will report to an Operations Accounting Supervisor, located in PPG's General Office in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Responsibilities

Perform monthly closing procedures to establish and maintain accurate accounting records for the plant, such as journal entries, results analysis and account reconciliations; Prepare detailed reports on production and operating costs to provide relevant information for managerial decision making; Manufacturing Variance follow-up with Plant: analyze differences between estimated and actual production costs and collaborate with plant to improve efficiency and reduce variances; Complete and evaluate account reconciliations to identify trends and ensure accuracy of the account balances; Help facilitate and perform re-costing and analyze results to understand real-time cost changes; Assist with preparation of annual manufacturing budgets, detailed by category and cost center for determining the accurate product costs; Participate in meetings to support the plant manager and the leadership team with understanding results, proactive cost actions, capital investment analysis, and other ad-hoc tasks; Oversee inventory accounting and physical inventory count reconciliation for the plant locations; Help with SOX audit compliance and other issues raised by internal and external audit; Collaborate regularly with the Operations Finance Supervisor in the US and the Cost Accounting Specialists in QRO who assist with the sites

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in finance, Accounting, or related field; Proven experience of 3 years or more in accounting department; English fluency, upper intermediate or above, written and verbal communication skills, including ability to interact efficiently with both internal and external customers; Outstanding Excel knowledge required; Proficiency in Accounting software or ERPs, such as Oracle or SAP; Knowledge on IT systems such as: Trintech, ePro, Audit Board, Service Now; Exceptional ability to think critically and make decisions based on data analysis; Commitment to ethical behavior with a willingness to adhere to all company policies and current financial legislation; Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills

Nice to have

Prior costing and accounting experience