Accountant - Operations

Westlake Financial Accounting Operations Accountant Westlake Financial Accounting Operations Accountant Los Angeles CA - In Office Accounting | Data | Automation | Financial Operations About Westlake Westlake Financial Services is the largest privately held auto finance company in the United States. We specialize in the acquisition and servicing of prime to subprime automotive retail installment contracts across all 50 states. Headquartered in Los Angeles, Westlake has been a diversified lender for over 30 years, employs more than 5,000 team members, and currently manages over $20 billion in receivables. As one of the fastest-growing multi-billion-dollar companies in the United States, Westlake operates in a high-volume, data-rich environment where strong accounting, financial analysis, automation, and operational discipline are critical to supporting scalable growth. Position Summary The Accountant will report to the Accounting Manager in Operations and play a key role at the intersection of accounting operations, financial analysis, data validation, cash activity, and process automation. This position is responsible for executing core accounting responsibilities while helping improve workflows, strengthen controls, and turn financial and operational data into actionable insights. Prepare month-end journal entries, supporting schedules, and account analyses across key accounting areas, including cash, loan receivables, accruals, payments, funding, intercompany activity, and other operational flows. Evaluate the business purpose and financial statement impact of proposed entries to ensure transactions are supported, accurate, and appropriately classified. Reconcile balance sheet accounts, including cash, loan receivables, intercompany balances, accruals, and other assigned accounts; investigate reconciling items and drive timely resolution. Maintain and analyze daily cash balances and support treasury and cash management activities, including the review of bank activity, funding requirements, and cash movement trends. Support the month-end close process by preparing review-ready deliverables, documenting assumptions, and communicating issues that may impact financial reporting timelines. Key Responsibilities Perform financial statement fluctuation analysis, research significant variances, and clearly explain the operational or accounting drivers behind the results. Analyze financial and operational data to identify trends, exceptions, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement. Validate data across the general ledger, bank platforms, subledgers, source systems, reconciliation tools, and reporting outputs to ensure completeness and accuracy. Partner with Treasury, Finance, Operations, Tax, and Technology teams to resolve accounting issues, research transaction breaks, and improve end-to-end processes. Assist in building and maintaining reconciliation logic, data matching frameworks, exception reporting, dashboards, variance analyses, and KPI tracking in a high-volume transaction environment. Process Improvement, Systems & Automation Use Excel, SQL, AI-enabled productivity tools, and automation solutions to reduce manual work, improve repeatability, and build scalable accounting processes. Identify opportunities to automate manual reconciliations, streamline exception handling, improve close cycle timing, and enhance reporting accuracy. Participate in system implementations, data validation efforts, workflow redesign, and cross-functional projects impacting accounting, treasury, reporting, and financial operations. Contribute to the development and enhancement of scripts, workflows, queries, data models, or reporting tools using Excel, Power Query, SQL, Power BI, Python, or similar tools. Partner with Accounting leadership to implement best-in-class close, reconciliation, documentation, and reporting processes. Audit & Compliance Prepare audit-ready documentation and supporting schedules for internal reviews, external audits, interim and year-end requests, and other compliance needs. Assist with supporting schedules and documentation for annual business license filings, tax-related requests, regulatory inquiries, and other compliance requirements. Ensure adherence to U.S. GAAP, internal accounting policies, internal controls, and documentation standards. Support the development and maintenance of process narratives, control documentation, and accounting support packages that clearly explain procedures, assumptions, and conclusions. Qualifications Required Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required. One to three years of general accounting, corporate accounting, public accounting, audit, financial analysis, or related experience; relevant internships may be considered. Working knowledge of U.S. GAAP and core accounting concepts, with a desire to continue developing technical accounting knowledge. Experience preparing journal entries, performing account reconciliations, analyzing account activity, and supporting month-end close Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including lookups, PivotTables, formulas, data analysis, and data manipulation; Power Query experience is a plus. Strong analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines in a fast‑paced environment. Ability to communicate clearly, explain financial concepts to cross‑functional partners, and document conclusions in a review‑ready manner. Preferred Basic SQL knowledge or a demonstrated willingness to learn how to query, analyze, and validate financial data. Experience with ERP systems, reconciliation tools, banking platforms, subledgers, financial reporting systems, or accounting platforms such as Great Plains, BlackLine, Oracle, or similar systems. Experience in high‑volume transaction environments such as auto finance, financial services, fintech, payments, lending, banking, or similar industries. Familiarity with Power BI, Python, automation tools, AI-enabled productivity tools, workflow tools, or process improvement frameworks. Comfort using or learning technology to support research, analysis, documentation, reconciliation, variance analysis, and continuous improvement. Key Competencies Accounting judgment – applies strong accounting fundamentals, understands the business purpose behind transactions, and evaluates financial statement impact. Analytical mindset – interprets financial and operational data, identifies trends and exceptions, and translates findings into practical insights and actions. Attention to detail – maintains a strong focus on accuracy, completeness, supportability, and review‑ready documentation. Process improvement – continuously evaluates workflows, identifies inefficiencies and control risks, and recommends automation or process improvements that enhance accuracy and scalability. Ownership mentality – demonstrates accountability for assigned responsibilities, proactively follows issues through resolution, and takes initiative without waiting for direction. Curiosity and continuous learning – seeks to understand the "why" behind accounting transactions, asks thoughtful questions, and actively expands technical accounting and technology skills. Communication skills – explains accounting issues, financial results, and data findings clearly to accounting leadership and cross‑functional partners. Why This Role Opportunity to work at the intersection of accounting, data, automation, and financial operations. Exposure to complex financial flows, high-volume transaction activity, cash operations, loan accounting, and scalable reconciliation processes. Direct involvement in process transformation, automation, system validation, and modernization efforts that improve the accounting close and reporting environment. Strong visibility with accounting leadership and cross‑functional partners across Treasury, Finance, Operations, Tax, and Technology. Pay Rate $70,000 - $85,000 per year The exact starting compensation to be offered will be determined at the time of selecting an applicant for hire and will be dependent on a wide range of factors, including but not limited to geographic location, skill set, experience, education, credentials, and licensure when applicable. What do we offer? Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits Life Insurance and Long‑term disability plans Flexible Spending Account 401K matching Employee Stock Ownership Program in a $18.2 Billion Company, plus company matching Wellness Programs Metro Tap Card and Metro‑link Reimbursement (for Los Angeles, CA employees only) Career Path Opportunities Discounts on Parks, Museums, Movie Tickets, and Attractions Employee Loan Assistance Annual Flu Shot Paid Vacations Days Paid Sick days Paid holidays HGym (available in our Los Angeles, CA & Dallas,TX office) Rental Car Discounts, Dell Member Purchase Program UKG Wallet Acknowledgment We will consider for employment all qualified Applicants, including those with Criminal Histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not unlawfully discriminate in employment. No question on this application is used for the purpose of limiting or excluding any applicant from consideration for employment on a basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. Equal access to employment, services, and programs is available to all persons. Those applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application and/or interview process should notify a representative of the organization. #J-18808-Ljbffr Hankey Group