Corporate Accounting and Special Projects Manager

Major Purpose

The Corporate Accounting Department is responsible for complex company-wide accounting areas, controls, and reporting.

Main Responsibilities

- Responsible for several corporate accounting and reporting areas: profit sharing, postretirement, postemployment, deferred income taxes. Specific tasks include: analysis of underlying data and development of accruals; monthly journal entries and reconciliation; preparation of quarterly and year-end audit schedules and footnote disclosures; communication with actuaries to ensure appropriate accounting for postretirement and postemployment plans; assistance in forecasting and planning efforts related to these areas. Must be able to identify issues and improvement opportunities.

- Perform review of financial statements for employee benefit plans.

- Perform Section 404 internal controls review and documentation.

- As assigned, support the Senior Manager in analysis and accounting for other complex areas (e.g., accounting for goodwill, income tax provision) and implementation of new accounting standards, procedures and policies.

- Perform accounting research and support implementation of new accounting pronouncements and reporting guidance.

- Perform financial reviews of business units and ad hoc financial process reviews, including accounting policies and procedures. Where necessary, work with local financial management to identify and implement improvements.

- Assist in special projects, as requested by management. Prior projects have included: implementation of EITF 02-16; comparison of US GAAP standards with those of other countries, and with international standards; intercompany accounting analysis; coordinated efforts with SAP team and other business units to create a universal chart of accounts for use by all business entities; and implementation of Medicare Part D as it relates to the postretirement health care benefit plan.

- Manage Financial Development Program accounting rotation.

Work Relationships

This position reports to the Senior Manager, Corporate Accounting, and works closely with the Vice President Financial Reporting, and senior financial management of business units and functional departments, including Financial Planning and Analysis, Treasury, Tax, and Employee Benefits. Also, works with outside auditors, Ernst & Young, actuaries, and other outside consultants.

- Bachelor's degree in accounting
- CPA
- 5-7 years accounting experience and application of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
- Prior experience in public accounting or in a large corporate accounting environment preferred
- Must have advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel
- Experience with SAP is highly desired

- Excellent analytical skills
- Self-starter and able to work independently, solve problems, and achieve results while managing multiple priorities
- Adherence to deadlines, especially during the monthly and quarterly close process is critical
- Strong inter-personal skills are critical as this position requires extensive interaction with other departments and business units. Must possess superior written and verbal communication skills, tact and self-confidence to allow for effective communication with individuals at various levels across the organization, including senior management and outside consultants.


Grainger is a Fortune 500 company and the leading broad line supplier of facilities maintenance products serving businesses and institutions throughout North America with sales of over $5 billion. Through its network of nearly 600 branches, large distribution network and multiple Web sites, Grainger helps customers save time and money by providing them with the right products to keep their facilities running.
REQUIREMENTS
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