Financial Accountant General Accounting

Location: Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines

Summary:  

The Financial Accountant will specialize in General Accounting.  He/ She will be responsible for closing of the books for the assigned company codes.  This includes posting of journal entries, account reconciliation, month-end closing activities, financial statements analysis, audit support, and all general accounting responsibilities which are not under the scope of Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable.

On an on-going basis, the Financial Accountant is expected to perform based on the key result area of the process, meet/ exceed metrics set based on the Key Performance Indicator, identify improvements, and execute related controls in-scope.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

General Accounting and Month-End Closing

The Financial Accountant is responsible for closing the Hershey books of accounts in compliance with US GAAP, following the Hershey closing calendar.  The accountant is responsible for ensuring accuracy, timeliness, completeness, and appropriateness of approvals for all transactions executed as part of the closing process in compliance with the Journal Entry Policy.

General accounting and month-end closing activities include:

• Month end entries, accruals, prepayment amortization and adjustments
• Key Account Reconciliation
• Intercompany Billing and reconciliation
• Payroll Accounting
• Broker Commission Calculation
• Daily/Weekly Bank Reconciliation
• Other items specifically for the assigned entities

Account Analysis and Issues Resolution

The Financial Accountant is responsible for the comprehensive and timely preparation and certification of accounts using Hershey system, i.e. Blackline System.  This includes reviewing and reconciling the balance sheet accounts, with reference to the Balance Sheet Policy, identifying issues, coordinating with the account owners, analyzing the root causes, and determining the next steps that will lead ot the resolution of those issues.

The Financial Accountant is also expected to work closely with internal Business Partners and provide support and analyses to address their accounting-related concerns.

Key Performance Indicator/ Metrics/ Service Level Agreement and Process Improvement

The Record to Report Function have defined Service Level Agreement and Key Performance indicator Metrics for each function, which needs to be met consistently.  It is the responsibility of the Financial Accountant - General Accounting to ensure that these are met or exceeded.  Also, to ensure that preventive and necessary actions are in place, in case metrics are not met. 

The Financial Accountant - General Accounting is also responsible in driving major work process changes that would significantly improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the process, which can either be quick wins or projects.

Internal and External Audit Supports

This role is responsible for the preparation and submission of documents required for internal or external audit of the Hershey books and work processes.

Together with the RTR Supervisor, he/she is responsible for the timely communication and resolution of issues identified during any internal or external audit in ensuring safeguarding the internal controls of the RTR process.

Adhoc/ other Tasks:

Others related ad hoc roles that may be assigned with alignment with the Financial Accountant – General Accounting.

Minimum knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform major duties/responsibilities: 

Knowledge:

• BS Accountancy, or its equivalent
• Certified Public Accountant
• Knowledge in PH Taxation, an advantage
• Proficient understanding of US GAAP and local GAAP
• Basic knowledge of SAP
• Knowledge in Microsoft Office (Excel, Powerpoint, Sharepoint)
• Net Suite knowledge – good to have

Soft Skills:

• Strong Oral and Written Communication Skills
• Good Interpersonal Communication Skills,
• Collaboration Skills
• Attention to Details
• Strong Analytical and Problem Solving Skills
• Works with minimum supervision
• Proactive
• Project Management Skills and ability to prioritize
• Continuous Improvement mindset

Behavior/ Attitude:

Team Approach

Customer Focused and Results Oriented

Problem Solving

Listening and Interpersonal Skills

Countries Supported: North America region

Education/Experience:

• MUST have a Degree in BS Accountancy
• MUST have at least 4 years of END TO END General Accounting experience. – Intercompany, Bank, and Balance Sheet Reconciliation, Posting of Journal Entries, Accrual Management, Variance Analysis, and other month-end closing activities.  

• MUST be a CPA graduate
• MUST have strong analytical experience – conducts variance, root cause, and accrual analysis
• MUST have strong English Communication Skills – written and verbal
• MUST have the capability to be assertive and influence key stakeholders
• MUST have experience initiating and executing process improvement initiatives
• MUST be willing to work in a Morning, MID and NIGHT SHIFT