Accounting Manager Process Improvement

Amrize • Chicago, IL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Accounting Manager, Process Improvement serves as the vital strategic bridge between Corporate Accounting/SOX Compliance teams and the Building Materials Operational Finance organization. Operating in a complex matrix environment, this position translates corporate accounting directives into practical operational workflows, ensuring uncompromising compliance with US GAAP standards and SOX regulations while protecting business velocity, operational efficiency, and margin accuracy. This role requires a pragmatic, commercially-minded CPA with Big 4 assurance experience who can evaluate accounting policies through an operational lens. Acting as a diplomatic liaison, you will manage SOX coordination, partner with internal controls to resolve audit gaps, standardize local operational finance processes, and eliminate administrative friction while upholding the highest standards of financial integrity.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related business field.
• 5–8+ years of progressive accounting, internal control, and assurance experience.
• Big 4 or top national public accounting firm (Assurance/Audit) experience auditing publicly traded manufacturing, industrial products, building materials, or complex distribution clients.
• Proven experience managing SOX compliance cycles, remediating control deficiencies with local control owners, and implementing standardized operational processes.
• Active US CPA designation is mandatory.
• Expert knowledge of US GAAP standards—specifically ASC 606 (Revenue from Contracts with Customers), ASC 842 (Leases), ASC 330 (Inventory), and ASC 360 (Property, Plant, and Equipment)—alongside robust SOX 404 compliance frameworks.
• Strong working knowledge of enterprise ERP systems (specifically SAP ECC/SAC/Tagetik) and advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel/Google Sheets for financial data analysis.
• High emotional intelligence (EQ) with proven negotiation skills to build consensus between conflicting corporate and operational priorities.
• Executive presence and gravitas to stand before senior leadership (CFO/Director level) and constructively defend operational accounting perspectives.
• Pragmatic, solution-oriented mindset with the ability to translate complex technical accounting rules into clear, actionable business guidance.
• Reputation for conducting business at the highest standards of ethics and integrity.
• Successful candidates must adhere to all safety protocols and proper use of Amrize approved Personal Protection Equipment ("PPE"), including but not limited to respirators. Employees that are required to wear respirators must be clean shaven where the respirator seal meets the face in order to pass the qualitative and quantitative fit tests.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end SOX process management and coordination across operational sites, ensuring local control owners understand, execute, and document key controls effectively.
• Liaise closely with the Internal Control team on identified control gaps, ensuring appropriate local operational contacts are engaged, accountable, and actively driving timely remediation with control owners.
• Liaise with Corporate Accounting on the rollout and practical implementation of new accounting policies, translating technical requirements into actionable operational guidelines.
• Partner with local operational finance and plant leadership to standardize core accounting and reporting workflows across manufacturing and distribution locations.
• Identify accounting policy friction or conservative accounting treatments (e.g., rebate accruals, scrap/inventory reserves, lease accounting) that unfairly drag down operational EBITDA or slow down commercial decision-making.
• Drive continuous improvement in balance sheet reconciliation workflows and manual journal entry (MJE) processes, resolving aging bottlenecks and establishing clean documentation standards.
• Provide practical US GAAP guidance across revenue recognition (customer rebates and discounts), lease and capital expenditure governance (CapEx vs. OpEx), and inventory cost accounting to ensure compliant, standardized, and efficient plant and commercial operations.
• Demonstrate a commitment to communicating, improving and adhering to health, safety and environmental policies in all work environments and areas. Promote a culture of safety and exhibit these behaviors.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• 401(k) pre-tax and/or Roth after-tax savings
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Medical, Dental, Disability and Life Insurance
• Holistic Health & Well-being programs
• Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) & Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) for health and dependent care
• Vision and other Voluntary benefits and discounts
• Paid time off & paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave (maternity & paternity)
• Educational Assistance Program
• Dress for your day

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager