Sr. Director, Asset Accounting

The Sr. Director, Asset Accounting is a strategic finance leader responsible for the global accounting strategy, governance, operations, and transactional execution for inventory, fixed assets, real estate, and freight/logistics accounting processes. This role leads global teams responsible for ensuring accurate accounting, compliance, financial reporting, account reconciliations, operational analytics, and continuous process improvement across all asset-related accounting activities. The position partners closely with Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, Logistics, Real Estate, and Sherwin Business Services (SBS) leadership to drive standardization, automation, strong internal controls, and operational excellence while ensuring compliance with accounting policies and regulatory requirements.

This position is not hybrid/remote and will be located at our Global Headquarters in Cleveland, OH.

Because this role involves access to confidential financial information, the Company has determined that a review of criminal history is necessary to protect the business and its operations and reputation and to provide similar protections for its clients and potential investments.

Responsibilities

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

1. Lead Global Asset Accounting Strategy and Governance

• Establish and execute the global strategy for Inventory Accounting, Fixed Asset Accounting, Real Estate Accounting, and Freight/Logistics Accounting in alignment with enterprise financial objectives.
• Provide enterprise-wide leadership and governance over asset accounting processes, ensuring consistency, scalability, and operational excellence across all regions.
• Develop and maintain accounting policies, standards, and procedures related to inventory valuation, fixed assets, capital expenditures, lease and real estate accounting, and logistics accounting activities.
• Serve as the senior accounting leader and escalation point for asset-related accounting, operational, compliance, and system issues.
• Lead, develop, and mentor a global organization of Directors, Managers, Supervisors, and finance professionals across multiple geographies and time zones.

2. Oversee Global Inventory Accounting and Working Capital Reporting

• Direct global inventory accounting activities, including inventory valuation, reserves, account reconciliations, close processes, financial reporting, and related balance sheet governance.
• Ensure accuracy and integrity of inventory accounting across manufacturing, distribution, and operating locations globally.
• Partner with Supply Chain, Operations, and Finance leadership to develop working capital analytics, inventory reporting, and performance metrics that support strategic decision-making.
• Oversee inventory-related accounting controls and ensure compliance with corporate accounting policies and regulatory requirements.
• Serve as executive liaison with Internal and External Audit teams on inventory accounting matters.

3. Direct Fixed Asset and Real Estate Accounting

• Provide strategic oversight of enterprise fixed asset accounting, including capitalization, depreciation, disposals, transfers, and capital project accounting.
• Ensure accurate maintenance of fixed asset subledgers, reconciliations, and financial reporting across the global organization.
• Direct global real estate accounting activities, including accounting governance, reconciliations, reporting, and compliance with applicable accounting standards.
• Partner with Corporate Real Estate, Operations, and Finance leadership to support asset investment decisions, asset utilization initiatives, and long-range planning activities.
• Oversee accounting policies and controls related to fixed assets, leased assets, and real estate transactions.

4. Lead Freight and Logistics Accounting

• Provide strategic oversight for freight and logistics accounting processes, including freight accruals, transportation accounting, distribution accounting, and related financial reporting activities.
• Oversee accounting and reconciliation of transportation and distribution-related accounts to ensure financial accuracy and completeness.
• Partner with Logistics, Supply Chain, and Operations leadership to improve visibility into freight spending, distribution costs, and logistics-related financial performance.
• Direct financial governance over key logistics accounting processes and relationships supporting transportation and distribution operations.
• Ensure effective financial controls, reporting, and compliance across logistics accounting activities globally.

5. Ensure Financial Controls, Compliance, and Audit Readiness

• Establish and maintain a strong internal control environment across all asset accounting processes, ensuring compliance with SOX requirements, corporate policies, and applicable accounting standards.
• Monitor control effectiveness and implement enhancements that reduce risk and improve operational efficiency.
• Lead global audit support activities related to inventory, fixed assets, real estate, and logistics accounting.
• Ensure timely identification, escalation, and resolution of accounting, compliance, and operational risks.
• Promote a culture of accountability, integrity, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.

6. Drive Transformation, Analytics, and Continuous Improvement

• Lead the modernization and optimization of asset accounting processes through automation, standardization, and technology-enabled solutions.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators and operational metrics to measure organizational effectiveness and service delivery.
• Partner with Finance Transaction Systems and business stakeholders to implement process and system enhancements that improve efficiency, data quality, and scalability.
• Develop and distribute analytical reporting that supports executive decision-making and operational excellence.
• Identify opportunities to improve asset visibility, optimize working capital, strengthen governance, and enhance financial performance across the enterprise.

Qualifications

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Required:

• Bachelors degree in Business, Finance, or Accounting
• 12+ years of demonstrated Finance leadership experience with a focus on aligned process area and business partnership
• Experience in aligned process areas across the globe (e.g., Inventory Accounting, Fixed Asset Accounting, Real Estate Accounting, Freight/Logistics Accounting, etc.)
• Experience leading teams in a customer-centric project environment and transactional activities in a tiered operating model
• Experience with relevant technologies (e.g., Oracle, OneStream, Data Services, POS, etc.)
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship now or in the future for employment visa status
• Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age

Preferred:

• Masters degree in Finance or Accounting, CPA

• CFA/MBA

• 10+ years of people management experience preferred

Travel: 20%

At Sherwin-Williams, our purpose is to inspire and improve the world by coloring and protecting what matters. Our paints, coatings and innovative solutions make the places and spaces in our world brighter and stronger. Your skills, talent and passion make it possible to live this purpose, and for customers and our business to achieve great results. Sherwin-Williams is a place that takes its stability, growth and momentum and translates it to possibility for our people. Our people are behind the strength of our success, and we invest and support you in:

Life … with rewards, benefits and the flexibility to enhance your health and well-being
Career … with opportunities to learn, develop new skills and grow your contribution
Connection … with an inclusive team and commitment to our own and broader communities
It's all here for you... let's Create Your Possible

At Sherwin-Williams, part of our mission is to help our employees and their families live healthier, save smarter and feel better. This starts with a wide range of world-class benefits designed for you. From retirement to health care, from total well-being to your daily commute—it matters to us. A general description of benefits offered can be found at Click on “Candidates” to view benefit offerings that you may be eligible for if you are hired as a Sherwin-Williams employee.

Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case and will impact where actual compensation may fall within the stated wage range. The wage range listed for this role takes into account the wide range of factors considered in making compensation decisions including skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. The wage range, other compensation, and benefits information listed is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, with or without notice, subject to applicable law.

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws including with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act where applicable.

Sherwin-Williams is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, age, pregnancy, genetic information, creed, marital status or any other consideration prohibited by law or by contract.

As a VEVRAA Federal Contractor, Sherwin-Williams requests state and local employment services delivery systems to provide priority referral of Protected Veterans.

Please be aware, Sherwin-Williams recruiting team members will never request a candidate to provide a payment, ask for financial information, or sensitive personal information like national identification numbers, date of birth, or bank account numbers during the application process.