Accountant II

Job DescriptionJob DescriptionAESC is looking to add a Financial Accountant II to our team in Smyrna.

• Full-Time
• Hybrid
• 2-3 days in office/week

About AESC US LLC

AESC is an exciting, newly created global organization committed to solving the challenges of a sustainable future and becoming the leading supplier of full-value-chain battery solutions. Our lithium-ion batteries can be found in nearly one million electric vehicles worldwide and have a stellar safety record of zero-critical issues. AESC US is leading the way in battery technology. We design and manufacture EV battery technology for various electric vehicles and equipment. We are working hard towards unlocking the full potential of sustainable energy and climate change mitigation. We will continue to build upon our successes and expand into new markets and industries, producing innovative and competitive products and technologies that advance the goal of a zero-carbon emission future. AESC is headquartered in Japan and has battery manufacturing locations in Japan, UK, China, and the U.S.

AESC Mission

Our mission is to solve the challenges for a sustainable future. Together, we can make a meaningful impact.

About the Role

In this role, you will be a part of a diverse, high performing team and will be responsible for helping to ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the company’s financial statements. This position requires a strong analytical mindset, financial acumen, and the ability to collaborate effectively with various stakeholders. You will help ensure strict compliance with accounting standards as well as company policy and be a trusted partner to upper management as you increase visibility into the financial performance of the organization. You will also work directly with internal and external auditors as you guide the organization through financial audits. Finally, you will help maintain a culture of constant improvement by improving existing processes.

Career Growth Opportunities

This position can start and/or grow into 3 levels of Financial Analyst. After the Financial Analyst 3 is reached, there is the potential to become a Finance Manager or FP&A Manager for an individual plant. Positions in US Corporate or other facilities are also available.

We are committed to fostering the professional development of our employees, and your journey with us will be marked by ongoing learning and advancement. Our organization believes in recognizing and nurturing talent from within, providing a clear trajectory for career growth. As you demonstrate your skills and contribute to our collective success, doors will open for expanded responsibilities, leadership roles, and the chance to work on increasingly complex and impactful projects.

Your Team

This position will report to the Finance Manager (Accounting) and will have no direct reports. You will collaborate closely with a group of dedicated professionals, each contributing their unique skills and expertise to our collective success. Currently, the team consists of 11 talented individuals fostering a collaborative and dynamic work environment. This close-knit team is known for a culture of process improvement and creativity in design and implementation of processes in a start-up environment. In this role, you will have the opportunity to lead, mentor, and collaborate with your colleagues to drive impactful results. Our team values creativity, initiative, and a collaborative spirit, and we look forward to welcoming you to this dynamic work family where your contributions will play a vital role in achieving our common goals.

What You Will Do

Responsibilities for this role include:

1. Month, Quarter and Year-End Accounting Close
   • Posting routine and non-routine journal entries adjustments and accruals to ensure compliance to global accounting standards.
   • Reconciliation of various GL accounts to ensure accuracy of financial statements and improve understanding and visibility into the trial balance.
   • Ensuring the company remains statutory compliant with local and federal governments.
   • Consistent process improvement to increasing the timeliness and reliability of financial information shared with internal and external stakeholders.
   • Monthly Reporting and Financial Close
   • Journal Entries related to month end close and payroll
   • Intercompany Accounts and Reconciliations
   • This role will primarily involve the Smyrna, TN, facility but may also help with new facilities in Bowling Green, KY, and Florence, SC
   • Daily/Weekly interaction with operations staff and management to help resolve variances against budget and provide cost savings solutions
   • Daily interaction with corporate office to resolve balances with other facilities and understand/resolve ongoing issues
2. Financial Reporting
   • Conduct in-depth financial analysis to assess the company’s performance including variance analysis, trend analysis, scenario modeling.
   • Submission of financial results and performance to internal and external stakeholders
   • Providing analysis and commentary to improve understanding of company performance to site level and regional leadership.
3. Process Improvement
   • Increase the timeliness and reliability of financial information shared with internal and external stakeholders and reduce risk by monitoring, improving and creating new processes.
   • Working with other stakeholders and groups as a financial partner on various projects to ensure the organization remains competitive and profitable.

What You Need

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Business or related degree (MBA and/ or CPA is a plus).
• 3+ years of relevant experience in corporate/manufacturing accounting, financial analysis, or a related field.
• Knowledge of financial accounting principles (GAAP and IFRS) and practices.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to convey complex financial information to non-finance stakeholders.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and organizational skills including the ability to document complex transactions and processes.
• Detail-oriented with ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Strong software and system acumen (SAP experience a plus).
• Understands and follows all standards of IATF16949 and VDA 6.3 quality standards. (training and awareness will be provided for those who are not familiar with these standards)
• Understands and follows all standards of ISO14001 environmental standards. (training and awareness will be provided for those who are not familiar with these standards)

What is “Nice to Have”?

• MBA or CPA.
• Strong to advanced skills in Microsoft Excel
• Experience with sophisticated accounting software (SAP, AS-400, JD Edwards, PeopleSoft, etc.)
• Proven experience as a value-added member of an accounting team working in a manufacturing environment.
• Previous experience working in cross-cultural environments, or a demonstrated understanding of cultural nuances would be beneficial, given our global presence and diverse team.

What We Offer

Welcome to our state-of-the-art Gigafactory, where you'll have the opportunity to tackle the world's most fascinating challenges alongside exceptionally talented individuals who are driven to make a difference. At AESC, we offer a comprehensive compensation package, including a competitive salary and a rewarding AESC bonus program. In addition, we provide a range of valuable benefits, such as 401K, and health insurance. We strive to ensure that our employees are well taken care of, enabling them to focus on their work and contribute to our collective mission of changing the world.

• An inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages professional and personal development.
  
• Highly automated, clean, safe, and temperature-controlled production environment
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• HSA and Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401K with company match
• Life Insurance (Company paid and additional voluntary life available)
• Paid Vacation and 14 Paid Holidays
• Short term and long-term disability coverage (Company Paid)
• Tuition reimbursement

Application Process

Even if you don't meet every requirement listed, if you believe this role suits you well, we encourage you to apply. Your application gives us the opportunity to learn more about you and explore potential fits within our team.

Following the submission of your application, we are committed to providing timely responses to all applicants, though response times may vary depending on the volume of submissions. If you do not receive an immediate response, please rest assured that this in no way reflects on the quality of your candidacy. Your application will be retained in our files, and we may reach out to you for future roles that align with your skills and interests. As our organization experiences rapid growth, we appreciate your patience in this process. We are actively working each day to enhance our application procedures to ensure a smoother and more efficient experience for all applicants. Thank you for your understanding and enthusiasm for joining our dynamic team.

Equal Employment Opportunity

At AESC, we are committed to providing Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) to all individuals. We participate in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S Join us in our passion to design, manufacture, and sell high-performance products, contributing to a sustainable and zero-carbon emission future.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

• Ability to sit for extended periods of time.
• Ability to read, write, speak, hear; stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach and lift with hands and arms frequently throughout the day.
• Required to occasionally lift, push, pull and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally required to lift, push, pull and/or move up to 35 pounds.

Travel

Occasional domestic and international travel required.

Work Environment

The work environment is primarily an automated manufacturing plant with a concrete floor and is characterized by some temperature extremes, moderate noise, and forklift traffic. The individual must be able to perform all essential functions as appropriate on the plant floor, in meetings, and with employees, management, customers and suppliers.

Candidate must perform the essential duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation efficiently and accurately, and without causing significant safety threat to self or others. The statements made herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this job classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive and inclusive list of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required of personnel so classified.

Hiring is contingent upon successful completion of drug screen and background check. AESC US LLC is a drug-free workplace.

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