Staff Accountant (Store Support Center, Lenexa, KS)

Job Title:    Staff Accountant - Utility
Department:    Accounting
Reports To:    Accounting Manager 
Exemption Status:    Exempt (Salaried)

About Ace Retail Holdings
Ace Retail Holdings (ARH), the division of Ace Hardware Corporation that owns and operates the Great Lakes and Westlake Ace Hardware chains, is one of the largest hardware retailers in the United States.  ARH has been in operation for over a century and operates over 220 neighborhood stores located throughout the United States.  Great people make ARH stand out in our industry, and we are looking for individuals who strive for personal and professional growth, and who want to work with a company dedicated to serving our customers and communities.

The Staff Accountant position will provide direct support to the Accounting teams in areas of financial reporting including period close processing, account reconciliations and monthly financial management reports. This position will also assist the department in gaining efficiencies and improving processes.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Accounting
•    Assist in the preparation and auditing of the monthly financial management reporting package.
•    Perform or monitor certain daily and monthly account reconciliations.
•    Assist in the close process, which is comprised of recording journal entries, reviewing accounts, etc.
•    Compile and analyze financial information related to general ledger accounts and the financial statements.
•    Assist with lease accounting, including reviewing leases and reconciling lease accounts.
•    Answer financial statement questions and provide proactive explanations to new items and changes.
•    Play a role in driving continued process improvements, including working cross-functionally to create repeatable consistent processes.
•    Answer accounting and financial questions by researching and interpreting data.
•    Assists in requests from internal and external auditors in the completion of the annual financial audit.
•    Assist with any special operational and reporting requirements during the integration of new stores.
•    Backup and work with other accounting and/or financial staff as needed.
•    Assist with implementing automation and efficiency improvements.

Minimum Skills, Requirements and Qualifications
•    Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Finance or 3+ years of relevant work experience required.
•    Strong knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
•    Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interact with all levels of the organization.
•    Excellent problem-solving, organizational, and analytical skills.
•    Proficiency with MS Excel including the ability to work with and organize large amounts of data using pivot tables, vlookups and other Excel formulas, and tools.
•    Proficiency in MS Office: Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.  
•    Experience with JDE/JDA financial software desired.
•    Experience with business intelligence software desired.
•    Strong attention to detail.
•    Strong mathematical aptitude.
•    Ability to multi-task and manage multiple competing priorities to meet deadlines.
•    Ability to work as a team and be an effective team member.
•    Excellent customer service skills for both internal and external customers and contacts.
 

Compensation Details

$59616 / year

Equal Opportunity Employer
Westlake Ace Hardware is committed to a policy of promoting equal employment opportunities. The company recognizes the importance of diversity and leveraging the skills and talents of all people to the mutual advantage of each individual and the organization. The company is committed to the prevention of employment discrimination related to race, religion, color, sex (including sexual harassment), gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, disability and military discharge, or any other action covered by federal or state laws.