Area Controller

As an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status. 

I. Job Summary

The Area Controller is the leader of the Accounting organization for his or her respective Area and a key partner to the Area Business Partner. The Area Controller will provide accounting oversight and develop, complete, and review monthly financial analysis that supports the control environment, focuses on emerging trends and/or addresses complex or highly judgmental aspects of the business. Additionally, the Area Controller will be responsible for executing financial controls, standardizing processes and procedures across the Area, identifying process improvement opportunities; will lead, train, develop and coach members of the field-based accounting team. This role is responsible for ensuring the quality of financial information and compliance with relevant policies and procedures. 

II. Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Other minor duties may be assigned. 

• Directs and performs Month-End Close functions. Directs the maintenance of general and subsidiary ledgers, accounts receivable, revenue distribution, depreciation, cost, property, and operating expenses, and other records. 
• Drives adherence to the organization's accounting principles, practices, and procedures regarding the maintenance of fiscal records and the preparation of financial reports. 
• Ensures a strong framework of financial controls and adherence to established policies and procedures.
• Requires a continuous improvement mindset and focus across the function, looking for process standardization and automation opportunities, culling unnecessary work to free team members’ time for higher-value work and encouraging the delivery of business insights over report creation.
• Establishes a strong “tone at the top” related to WM’s commitments and values. 
• Supervises and participates in the preparation of various financial statements and reports. Ensures integrity and quality of financial reporting in accordance with GAAP and Company policies.
• Responsible for review of monthly Balance Sheet reconciliations and completion of monthly Area Balance Sheet analysis.
• Submits reasonable budget information and performs variance analysis, comparing results to prior year actual and prior year budget.
• Reviews and evaluates work to ensure quality and timeliness and ensures quality control in adherence to policies and procedures.
• Oversees personnel needs of the department including selecting, coaching, and training employees and evaluating employee performance. Provides input into termination, compensation, and promotion decisions. A focus on diversity and inclusion is critical to building and developing an effective accounting organization.
• Key contact for all audit related questions both internal and external. Ensure compliance with SOX, GAAP and Area specific Municipal or other contract accounting requirements. Oversees SOX controls and testing as required.
• Builds a strong foundational knowledge of the business – its customers, profit drivers, operational capabilities, (including Collection, Post Collection and Hazardous Waste lines of business).
• Provides energizing leadership with a focus on attracting, retaining and developing top talent. Builds and leads a value-add and focused accounting team that is integrally involved with the day-to-day plans and operations of the business. Selects and develops diverse, world-class accounting talent for the entire Market Area. 

Desired Experience and Leadership Traits:

• Has capacity to sift through complex information; communicates messages clearly and concisely. 
• Energizes team through inclusiveness and connection with people; flexible in approach to motivate and retain. Builds a connection with the team through personal involvement and trust; engages people to want to perform. Can coach and communicate in simple, impactful terms.
• Strong financial/technical expertise and analytical acumen. Demonstrated leadership through different business cycles. Understands financial and operational linkages and knows how to manage and control costs.
• Quick learner, comfortable with steep learning curves and able to handle simultaneous complex matters.  Deals effectively with, both, strategic and tactical operational issues. 
• Self-motivated, high energy, resourceful and confident, (yet, humble), with positive, can-do attitude.  High level of commitment to the job and delivering outstanding work.
• Operates in a transparent manner with no hidden agenda. Owns misses and learns from failures and adversity.

III.  Supervisory Responsibilities

• Direct supervision of, approximately, 12 full-time employees, including, Accountants, Source to Pay Liaison
• Indirect supervision of 6 full-time employees, including Accounts Payable Clerks

IV. Qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the qualifications necessary to perform the job. 

A.  Education and Experience

• Required: Bachelor’s Degree (accredited), or equivalent experience, in Accounting or similar area of study; advanced degree, (e.g. MBA, MS-Accounting), is desirable.
• Eight (8) or more years previous experience in progressively responsible accounting or finance roles; public accounting firm and/or public company experience desired, (in addition to education requirements).
• Preferred: Experience as a Controller in a large corporate environment.

B.  Certificates, Licenses, Registrations or Other Requirements

• Valid driver's license
• Preferred: Certified Public Accountant, or equivalent

C. Other Knowledge, Skills or Abilities Required

• Strong understanding of monthly accounting cycle, best practices and data flow among financial systems
• Knowledge of and responsibility for compliance with SOX requirements
• Relevant, demonstrated and practical experience, developing and analyzing financial statements
• Strong presentation and communication skills with comfort in preparing and presenting information to a Market Area team with a leadership presence
• Critical thinker and collaborative problem solver with excellent analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to travel up to 20%, mostly, throughout Great Lakes Market Area sites in IN, MI, and OH
• Flexibility to work overtime during the week and/ or weekends
• Balance and prioritize multiple tasks, simultaneously
• Ability to coach, mentor and develop team members

V.  Work Environment

Listed below are key points regarding environmental demands and work environment of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Required to use motor coordination with finger dexterity, (such as keyboarding, machine operation, etc.), most of the workday.
• Required to exert physical effort in handling objects less than 30 pounds, rarely.
• Required to be exposed to physical occupational risks (such as cuts, burns, exposure to toxic chemicals, etc.), rarely.
• Required to be exposed to physical environment which involves dirt, odors, noise, weather extremes or similar elements, rarely.
• Normal setting for this job is: office setting, but travel may be required throughout the New England/Upstate New York area.

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