Lead Accountant

This is a high-impact, individual contributor role for a driven and independent accounting professional. The Lead Accountant will take full ownership of a complex vendor rebate program as it transitions from the FP&A team into the core accounting function. This associate will be responsible for not only managing the day-to-day accounting for this multi-million-dollar program but also for building the process, establishing controls, and driving its strategic management. The ideal candidate is a self-starter who thrives in ambiguity, excels at building business partnerships, and possesses the technical skills to improve and automate complex processes. Beyond this core project, the Lead Accountant will direct complex general accounting activities, including month-end close and financial reporting, to ensure accuracy and integrity, and will serve as a key subject matter expert within the department. Major Tasks, Responsibilities, and Key Accountabilities Lead Program Transition & Ownership: Spearhead the end-to-end transition of the vendor rebate program from the FP&A team. Document existing processes, identify gaps, and redesign the workflow to align with core accounting standards and other rebate programs. Full-Cycle Rebate Accounting: Manage the complete accounting lifecycle for the merchandising fund. This includes establishing and booking accruals, preparing journal entries, performing complex reconciliations, analyzing data, and delivering insightful fluctuation commentary and reporting. Business Partnership: Serve as the primary accounting contact for the merchandising fund. Build a strong rapport and work directly with Merchants, the FP&A team, and other internal partners to understand funding agreements, communicate results, and ensure financial accuracy. Month-End Close Leadership: Play a key role in the month-end and year-end closing processes by performing complex reconciliations, delivering insightful variance analysis, and ensuring all deadlines are met for the vendor rebate area. Process Improvement & Automation: Critically evaluate the current processes for managing the merchandising fund. Identify and implement improvements and automation to increase efficiency and accuracy. Explore and advocate for the use of more advanced data tools where appropriate. Qualifications & Experience Education: Typically requires a BS/BA in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline. Experience: Generally, 8+ years of progressive experience in a related accounting field OR an MS/MA and generally 5+ years of experience. Experience with revenue recognition, rebates, or complex accruals is highly preferred. Certification: CPA or equivalent certification is a strong plus. Expert Accounting Knowledge: Deep understanding of U.S. GAAP and complex accounting principles. Project Management & Ownership Mentality: A proven ability to own a project from concept to completion. Must be a driver who can work with little direction, manage ambiguity, and take initiative to solve problems and manage priorities in a fast-paced environment. Business Acumen & Partnership: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to build rapport and work effectively with business partners across various functions. Technical & Analytical Skills: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel is required. Must have a strong analytical mindset with the ability to improve upon existing processes. Experience with large datasets and data analysis/visualization tools (such as Snowflake, Power BI, etc.) is highly desirable. Individual Contributor Leadership: This is a senior individual contributor role. While there are no direct reports, the candidate is expected to lead through influence and drive results across the organization. #J-18808-Ljbffr HD Supply