Sr. Cost Accountant

Cost Accountant III

Join us at Panasonic Energy as we expand to De Soto, Kansas, where we're building the world's largest lithium-ion battery factory. This is an exciting opportunity to grow your career while contributing to the future of electric vehicles. As part of our team, you'll help push the limits of battery technology, enhancing performance and efficiency in sustainable transportation. Our state-of-the-art facility, just outside the Kansas City Metro, will be a hub for innovation in green energy solutions. If you're passionate about sustainability and eager to contribute to the electric vehicle revolution, we invite you to be part of our dynamic team. Join us and make a meaningful impact on the future of energy and transportation.

The Accountant III performs a broad range of accounting activities in support of accurate, timely financial reporting and compliance with GAAP. This role is responsible for processing and reviewing accounting transactions, posting journal entries and accruals to ensure proper period reporting, and reconciling balance sheet accounts to identify risks. The Accountant III administers cost center and project cost tracking within SAP and provides analysis and reporting of accounting data. In addition, this role supports the design, administration, and compliance of accounting processes and internal controls. The Accountant III works cross-functionally with business partners, ERP/IT teams, auditors, and procurement to resolve discrepancies and improve accounting processes.

Essential Duties:

• Functional Operations: Prepare and post accounting journal entries for month-end close
• Review and reconcile general ledger accounts to identify and correct improper charges
• Process accruals to ensure expenses are reported in the appropriate period
• Reconcile balance sheet accounts and identify financial risks
• Reconcile and report intercompany balances
• Ensure expenses are charged to the proper department and prepare reclassification entries as needed
• Administer and manage cost centers and project cost tracking within SAP, including SAP Project Systems
• Ensure SAP ERP data integrity and proper system documentation
• Prepare accounting schedules, reports, and analysis as required
• Performance Optimization & Continuous Improvement: Administer, design, and ensure compliance with accounting processes
• Develop and maintain accounting policies and procedures
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of accounting processes
• Work with ERP IT and business partners to optimize business and system processes
• Training & Team Support: Crosstrain to serve as backup support for other finance team members
• Provide guidance and support to team members as needed
• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Communication: Create reports and respond to inquiries from business partners
• Collaborate with Indirect Procurement, Receiving, Corporate Accounts Payable, vendors, and customers to troubleshoot and resolve discrepancies
• Communicate effectively with internal stakeholders across departments and functions
• Work with domestic and international teams to support accounting activities
• Quality, Safety, & Compliance: Ensure all financial postings comply with laws, regulations, and GAAP
• Support Internal Audit efforts to maintain strong internal controls
• Assist with preparation of audit schedules and supporting documentation
• Respond to auditor inquiries and provide requested information
• Comply with safety requirements, including use of required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when applicable

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements: To ensure the health and safety in the workplace and for the protection of our employees, wearing PPE is a possibility and may include equipment such as a full Tyvek suit, safety shoes, gloves, safety glasses, face mask, bump cap, and a full hazmat suit that includes a respirator.

Qualifications Requirements - Required and/or Preferred Education, Certifications, and Licenses:

• Required: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a closely related field
• Relevant work experience may be substituted for required education
• Preferred: CPA license or active progress toward CPA certification
• Master's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration
• Formal training or certification related to ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle)

Essential Qualifications:

• 4+ years of progressively responsible accounting experience
• Strong working knowledge of GAAP and general accounting principles
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while meeting deadlines
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills
• Effective verbal and written communication skills with the ability to explain financial information to non-financial partners
• High attention to detail with strong organizational and documentation skills
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and handle confidential information responsibly
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across functions, including domestic and international teams
• Must have working-level knowledge of the English language, including reading, writing, and speaking English
• Alignment to Panasonic's seven (7) core principles (contribution to society, fairness and honesty, cooperation and team spirit, untiring effort for improvement, courtesy and humility, adaptability, gratitude)

Preferred Qualifications:

• 6+ years of accounting experience, preferably in a manufacturing or industrial environment
• Experience supporting complex cost structures, projects, and intercompany activity
• Hands-on experience with SAP, Oracle, or another fully integrated ERP system
• Demonstrated initiative, resilience, and ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Proven ability to build strong relationships and partner effectively at multiple organizational levels

Physical Demands:

• Physical Activities: Percentage of time (equaling 100%) during the normal workday the employee is required to:
• Sit: 70%
• Walk: 15%
• Stand: 15%
• Required Lifting and Carrying: Rare (<1%), Occasional (1-33%), Frequent (34-66%), Continuous (67-100%)
• For this position, the required frequency is:
• Up to 10 lbs.: Occasional
• Up to 20 lbs.: Rare
• Up to 35 lbs.: Rare
• Team-lift only (over 35 lbs.): Rare

Benefits & Perks - What's In It For You:

• Health Benefits Offering medical, dental, vision, prescription plans, plus Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options.
• Voluntary Benefits Life, accident, critical illness, disability, legal, identity theft, and pet insurance.
• Panasonic Retirement Savings & Investment Plan (PRSIP) 401(k) plan with company matching contributions and immediate vesting.
• Paid Time-Off Benefits Vacation, holidays, personal days, sick leave, volunteer, and parental & caregiver leave.
• Educational Assistance Tuition reimbursement for job-related courses after six months of service.
• Health Management and Wellbeing Programs Lifestyle Spending Account, EAP, virtual health management, chronic condition, neurodiversity, tobacco cessation, substance abuse support, and life stage and fertility resources. Available to eligible employees starting the first day of the month following your start date.
• Employee Recognition Program - High5 employee recognition and awards platform, quarterly and annual employee recognition
• Annual Bonus Program - Opportunity for an annual performance-based bonus.
• On-site Food Options: Several on-site cafes, plentiful snack and beverage kitchens, revolving on-site vendor visits and employee events.

Where You'll Be:

For our onsite roles, Panasonic Energy is committed to fostering an ideal working environment that goes beyond the conventional. We understand the significance of moments that matter in your onsite experience, and we prioritize creating a workspace that not only promotes productivity but also ensures a fulfilling and positive work atmosphere.

Join us at Panasonic Energy, where your onsite presence is valued, and we strive to make each moment count in your professional journey.

Who We Are:

At Panasonic Energy, you'll do work that matters as we are dedicated to transforming the world through the acceleration of sustainable energy. By producing safe, high-quality lithium-ion batteries, you become part of a team that plays a crucial role in creating technologies that move us. Our journey began in 2017, and now, as the world's largest lithium-ion battery factory, we