Sr. Accountant

Sr. Accountant

Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) is the go-to leader and partner of choice in sustainable packaging. We are dedicated to creating efficient and scalable paper and packaging solutions to help solve complex packaging challenges. Guided by our values of safety, loyalty, integrity and respect, we are committed to delivering meaningful value for shareholders, customers, employees and the communities where we operate.

The opportunity:

The North America Mills Accounting organization is seeking a Senior Accountant, Mill Accounting, to support a broad portfolio of accounting activities across mill operations. This individual contributor role is responsible for preparing accounting entries, reconciliations, financial analyses, and supporting schedules for assigned areas, which may include inventory, freight, warehousing, pricing and revenue, fixed assets, maintenance, restructuring, and relevant technical accounting matters.

The Senior Accountant plays a key role in the monthly close process and works closely with mill finance, operations, supply chain, commercial, maintenance, engineering, and corporate accounting teams. The position requires strong attention to detail, sound accounting judgment, effective follow-through, and a continuous improvement mindset to help ensure accurate and timely financial reporting in accordance with U.S. GAAP, Company policy, and internal control requirements.

Close, Journal Entries and Reconciliations

• Prepare recurring and nonrecurring journal entries, including complete and accurate supporting documentation.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual account reconciliations and supporting schedules for assigned balance sheet and income statement accounts.
• Investigate and resolve reconciling items on a timely basis, escalating significant or aged matters as appropriate.
• Perform period-end cutoff procedures and validate the completeness and accuracy of recorded activity.
• Maintain close calendars, workpapers, and documentation in accordance with established deadlines and standards.
• Support review processes by responding to questions and providing clear explanations and documentation.

Operational Accounting

• Perform accounting and reporting activities across a broad portfolio of mill-related processes, which may include:
• Inventory valuation, reserves, accruals, and period-end cutoff;
• Freight, warehousing, and other logistics-related costs and accruals;
• Pricing, revenue, rebates, incentives, and other commercial accounting matters;
• Fixed assets, capital projects, depreciation, asset retirements, and related controls;
• Maintenance expenditures and the appropriate classification of capital and expense activity;
• Restructuring, transformation, and other special business activities; and relevant technical accounting matters affecting mill operations.
• Prepare accruals, reserves, allocations, account roll-forwards, and other accounting calculations.
• Validate source data and work with business partners to resolve errors, incomplete information, and accounting discrepancies.

Financial Analysis and Reporting

• Analyze account balances, trends, and period-over-period fluctuations to identify unusual activity and required adjustments.
• Prepare variance analyses and concise explanations of financial results for management reporting.
• Compile financial and operational information used in working capital, cost, capital, and performance analysis.
• Provide timely and accurate schedules, reports, and ad hoc analyses to accounting and business stakeholders.

SOX Controls, Audit and Compliance

• Perform assigned internal controls accurately and timely and retain complete supporting documentation.
• Follow established accounting policies, procedures, and SOX requirements.
• Prepare schedules and documentation for internal and external audit requests and respond to follow-up questions.
• Identify control, documentation, or process issues and communicate them to management. Technical Accounting and Policy Support
• Research U.S. GAAP and Company accounting policy requirements for assigned transactions and business matters.
• Assist with the documentation of accounting conclusions, supporting analyses, and position papers.
• Apply accounting guidance consistently and seek additional direction for complex or judgmental matters.
• Support implementation of new or updated accounting policies and procedures.

Process Improvement, Systems and Data

• Identify opportunities to simplify accounting activities, improve data quality, reduce manual work, and strengthen documentation.
• Participate in standardization, automation, system enhancement, integration, and transformation initiatives.
• Use core financial systems and tools, including SAP, JDE, BlackLine, Excel, Alteryx, and BI platforms, as applicable to assigned responsibilities.
• Assist with testing, documentation, and implementation of process and system changes.

Business Partnership

• Build effective working relationships with mill finance, operations, supply chain, commercial, maintenance, engineering, FP&A, and corporate accounting teams.
• Obtain and validate information needed to complete accounting activities and resolve open items.
• Provide responsive, practical accounting support within assigned areas.
• Communicate accounting issues, deadlines, and results clearly and professionally.

What you need to succeed:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance required.
• 3+ years of accounting experience, preferably within a manufacturing, industrial, or mill environment.
• Experience preparing journal entries, account reconciliations, account analyses, and month-end close deliverables.
• Working knowledge of U.S. GAAP and internal controls; SOX experience preferred.
• Exposure to inventory, cost, operational, fixed asset, revenue, or technical accounting preferred.
• Experience with ERP systems such as SAP and/or JD Edwards; experience with BlackLine, Alteryx, or BI tools is beneficial.
• Strong Excel skills and the ability to work effectively with financial and operational data.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and follow through on open items in a fast-paced environment.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate across functions and organizational levels.
• CPA certification or progress toward CPA preferred but not required.
• Demonstrated initiative, accountability, curiosity, and a continuous improvement mindset.

What we offer :

• Corporate culture based on integrity, respect, accountability, and excellence.
• Comprehensive training with numerous learning and development opportunities.
• An attractive salary reflecting skills, competencies, and potential.
• A career with a global packaging company where Sustainability, Safety and Inclusion are business drivers and foundational elements of the daily work.

Candidates are required to undergo a drug screening after receiving a conditional job offer, but before starting employment. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.