Accountant I

Job Description

Accountant | A. O. Smith Corporation

The Tone:
This is a hybrid, early career Accountant I role at A. O. Smith Corporation, based primarily in Appleton, WI, with an additional option in Haltom, TX. A. O. Smith is a recognized global leader, applying innovative technologies to manufacture and market energy-efficient residential and commercial water heating equipment, boilers, and water treatment products worldwide. With approximately 12,000 employees globally, this role is essential for the NAWT business unit, ensuring accurate preparation, examination, and interpretation of critical accounting and financial records, statements, and reports. The incumbent will play a key part in general ledger activities, budget management, month-end closing, and various cost/financial analyses, all while upholding company and GAAP policies.

The TL;DR
• Role: Early Career
• Location: Hybrid Appleton, WI
• Team: NAWT Business Unit
• Mission: To accurately prepare, examine, and interpret accounting and financial records, reports, and statements, ensuring adherence to company and GAAP policies.
• Tech Stack: ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, Dynamics, Infor, Epicor, NetSuite), Excel (PivotTables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, data analysis)

What You’ll Actually Do
• Financial Reporting & Accounts Management: Assemble comprehensive plant expense analyses, coordinate accounts payable, and prepare precise bank reconciliations for all operating, disbursement, payroll, and investment accounts.
• General Ledger & Tax Compliance: Execute specific monthly journal entries, prepare sales tax returns, and conduct detailed warranty expense account analysis, ensuring accuracy and consistency.
• Variance Analysis & Budgeting: Settle and close production orders, thoroughly investigate production variances, and analyze and reconcile any discrepancies within general accounting functions, reconciling all expenses to the established budget.
• Internal Controls & Auditing: Provide internal financial and cycle count audits, issuing necessary reports, and diligently observe all procedures and policies in accordance with GAAP, company policy, and federal/state regulations.
• Operational Backup & Inquiry Support: Assist as backup for payroll, daily invoicing, and sales updating, including providing payroll approval, and respond to inquiries and requests from various internal sources.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or a related field.
• Experience: Internship, co-op, or 1-2 years of accounting experience preferred, along with preferred experience using ERP systems and exposure to manufacturing or inventory accounting.
• Skills: Strong Excel proficiency, including PivotTables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, and data analysis.
• Bonus: Knowledge of SAP is a plus.