Sr Financial Accountant

Job Description

Summary:

Reporting to the Supervisor Accounting, this role supports both sites in Canada as well as the Bend, Oregon site in the U.S. (remotely) by performing a combination of financial accounting, reporting and controls activities to ensure financials are accurate and complete.

Essential Functions:

• Prepare / review select month-end tasks, journal entries, balance sheet account reconciliations and

financial reporting deliverables to Corporate that is shared amongst the Controllership team as well as perform cost or accounting analysis as needed.

• Analyze monthly balance sheet account fluctuations to identify potential adjustments and escalate aging balances.
• Lead the Canada Fixed Asset cycle which includes:
  • collaborating with the Engineering team to ensure the timely close-out and recording of Assets under Construction (AUC) as well as the accuracy of the related monthly spend vs. budget reporting;
  • reviewing the GL coding and classification details of close-out forms to ensure the proper set-up / recording of approved capital asset requisitions;
  • conducting annual impairment reviews and fixed asset counts; and
  • driving initiatives to clean-up the fixed asset ledger and implement process improvements for the overall recording and tracking of fixed asset additions, disposals and spare parts.
• Address mapping of accounts from SAP to Hyperion as needed to allow for successful transmissions during month-end close
• Attend a selection of inventory cycle counts and the year-end physical inventory count to validate compliance with inventory controls.
• Conduct quarterly revenue audits to identify and correct potential misstatements to financials and present findings and recommendations to the senior leadership team.
• Review lease transactions and reconcile to CO-STAR (Thermo Fisher’s Lease Management Program).
• Ensure continued compliance with accounting policies and SOX internal controls while consulting with Corporate as needed and seeking opportunities for improvement.
• Create, maintain and improve standard operating procedures and cross train on key tasks to establish back-up plans.
• Work with the GBS group (global business shared services group) to create a culture of communication between them and the sites relating to issues that arise in the transactions they perform while conducting weekly status meetings, training and escalations as necessary.
• Work with the extended Finance team and GBS group to ensure:
  • processes are streamlined and consistent across both sites;
  • journal entries and reconciliations contain high quality documentation and support; and
  • accounting standards have been appropriately interpreted and applied.
• Analyze, engage, drive insights and make recommendations to improve process efficiency and

potentially deliver savings to the Profit and Loss statement (P&L).

• Partner with the Financial Planning & Analysis team to investigate and provide insights on monthly

variances between actuals and budgeted/forecasted amounts, communicate any forecasted impacts to the P&L on a timely basis and ensure the appropriate mapping of amounts in management reporting systems.

• Drive Financial Operational Excellence / Continuous Improvement projects by leading or being a motivator of change including opportunities for increased automation of the finance function.
• Collaborate with the Controllership teams at other sites in the DPD North America group to share best practices, promote consistency, recommend solutions to remove common barriers.
• Act as Canada’s SAP super user for Finance by reviewing and approving SAP access requests and conducting an annual access audit to SAP finance modules for continued appropriateness.
• Provide support with internal and external audit requests including tax-related matters.

• Assist in the education and training of Canadian Finance staff (and non-Finance employees as needed) on accounting principles and implications as policy changes arise.
• Maintain a safe working environment and report potential hazards.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance

Finance/Accounting designation is preferred (CPA)

Experience:

Minimum of 3 years of previous experience within an Assurance, Audit, and/or Controllership organization

Previous experience in a manufacturing environment is preferred

Equivalency:

Equivalent combinations of education, training, and relevant work experience may be considered.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Ability to prioritize multiple projects, work in a fast-paced environment and meet tight deadlines. Knowledge of Systems: SAP and Hyperion are an asset. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Strong customer focus and drive for results with strong problem-solving abilities. Capable of setting clear priorities, organizing work, and making quality decisions. Demonstrated computer proficiency with Microsoft Office programs. Proficiency with the English Language.

Standards and Expectations: 

Follow all Environmental Health & Safety Policies and Procedures. Work collaboratively with fellow team members, modelling positive team principles and partnering to meet project and departmental objectives. Carry out all duties within strict compliance to Patheon quality systems SOPs and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). Maintain workspace in a clean and orderly fashion.  Actively engage in and adhere to departmental systems in order to maintain a smooth and efficient workflow (visual management, scheduling systems, etc.). Be client and patient conscious at all times. Understand Key Performance Indicators (KPI's) and strive to improve the performance of the team by identifying areas for system improvements and engage in problem solving. Models positive thinking and is open to change, motivating the team to adapt to shifts in priorities and new ways of working. Proactively identify areas for improvement in the execution of procedures. Communicate risks to timelines in a proactive manner.  Consistently strives to improve skills and knowledge in related field.  

Physical Requirements:

Light physical effort and fatigue. Walks, sits or stands for limited periods. May require occasional equipment operation including keyboard equipment. Lifts light items for limited duration. Typically located in a comfortable indoor area. There may be regular exposure to mild physical discomfort from factors such as dust, fumes or odours, temperature extremes, loud noise, strong drafts, or bright lights. Use of Personal Protective equipment may be required and may include any of the following: safety glasses, safety shoes, lab coat, gloves, hair net, beard cover, safety apron, respirator on occasionally.