Principal Accountant North America

With more than $1B in revenue, Tennant Company is a globally recognized leader in the cleaning equipment industry. For the past 150 years, we have been passionate about developing and manufacturing innovative and sustainable solutions for our customers. At Tennant Company, we are committed to stewardship and creating a cleaner, safer and healthier world. With manufacturing, operations and sales, service, and support functions across the globe, your journey at Tennant can take you places you never expected.

Principal Accountant, North America

Position Summary

The Senior Accountant, North America is responsible for supporting Tennant's North American and Corporate Accounting month-end close processes, ensuring accurate financial reporting in accordance with US GAAP, SOX 404 requirements, and company policies. This role prepares and analyzes financial results, maintains key general ledger processes, supports audits, and drives continuous process and system improvements. The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented accounting professional with strong technical accounting knowledge, analytical skills, and a passion for process excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare monthly journal entries, account reconciliations, and supporting workpapers, applying complex accounting guidance related to revenue recognition, sales incentives, debt, warranties, and other technical accounting areas.
• Lead and coordinate monthly close activities for North America and designated global entities, ensuring timely completion of all close deliverables.
• Partner with Commercial, Operations, Supply Chain, FP&A, Tax, Treasury, and senior business leaders to evaluate accounting implications of strategic initiatives and business decisions.
• Perform account reconciliations and analyze balance sheet and income statement accounts to ensure compliance with US GAAP and SOX 404 requirements.
• Identify, recommend, and record appropriate accounting adjustments while driving improvements to accounting processes and controls.
• Prepare, analyze, and review financial and operational reports, communicating key insights and findings to business partners and stakeholders.
• Manage key components of the general ledger close process, including system enhancements, process design, testing, and implementation activities.
• Record monthly sales incentive accruals and collaborate with North American business teams to ensure accurate accounting for sales, cost of sales, and related liabilities.
• Support internal and external audits by preparing schedules, workpapers, analyses, and required documentation.
• Own key SOX compliance efforts, including maintaining and enhancing process narratives, risk assessments, and control documentation.
• Contribute to the preparation of financial statement disclosures and footnotes.
• Serve as the subject matter expert for assigned technical accounting areas, leading the implementation and ongoing application of new accounting standards, accounting policies, and transactions across North America.
• Partner with Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) during annual budgeting and forecasting processes.
• Participate in special projects, system implementations, and cross-functional initiatives while providing backup support across the accounting organization.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance.
• 7-10+ years of experience in public accounting (preferably Big Four) or corporate accounting within a public company environment.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (US GAAP).
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.

Preferred

• Combination of public accounting experience (2–4 years) and public company corporate accounting experience (2–3 years).
• Experience with SAP or other ERP systems.
• Experience with OneStream account reconciliation software.
• Public company reporting and SOX compliance experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Strong systems aptitude and internal controls mindset.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across functions and organizational levels.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and process optimization.

This role offers an excellent opportunity for an accounting professional to make a meaningful impact by supporting financial integrity, enhancing business processes, and contributing to the company's ongoing growth and success.

Total Compensation = Pay range + Benefits

Posted salary ranges are made in good faith. Tennant Sales and Service Co. reserves the right to adjust ranges depending on the experience/qualifications of the selected candidate as well as internal and external equity. The salary range reflects both entry into the role and future growth. Total Compensation = Base Salary + Benefits

Benefits = A comprehensive benefits package including multiple medical plan options, 401(k) with a 100% match up to 6%, paid vacation time, 8 paid company holidays and 3 personal holidays dental and vision coverage, wellness rewards, robust family support programs, company‑paid disability and life insurance, and a full Employee Assistance Program.

Defining Our Employee Value Proposition  

At Tennant Company, we…

Discover  fulfilling work with opportunities for growth and meaningful recognition. 
Drive  the quality and innovation our customers rely on in our products and services. 
Connect  with people who care about each other, our brands and our communities.

These are the principles that define how our employees experience Tennant Company, make Tennant a great place to grow your career, and are at the core of our legacy and future. Together, they serve as guideposts for working with our customers, our partners and one another.

Begin your journey with us. Let's reinvent how the world cleans.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Tennant Company is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made on the basis of individual skill, ability, reliability, productivity, and other factors important to performance. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, veteran status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, or any other basis protected by state or federal law or local ordinance.