Lead Accounting Analyst

Hydro in North America•Pittsburgh, PA

13d

About The Position

Hydro Global Business Services (GBS) is an organizational area that operates as an internal service provider for the Hydro group. Its ultimate purpose is to deliver relevant IT, financial and HR business services to all business areas within the company. What we offer you Medical, Rx, Dental, Disability, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts Retirement Savings Plans with Company Match/Contributions Education Assistance Bonus Plan Eligibility Parental Leave Job Summary: The Lead Accounting Analyst serves as the process owner and subject-matter expert for payroll and benefits accounting. This role is accountable for ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely accounting results, while governing the end-to-end payroll/benefit processes across various regions. The position requires strong cross-cultural collaboration, the ability to drive standardized processes, and a mindset focused on transformation, automation, and continuous improvement. The Lead Accounting Analyst will also support technical accounting matters and assist with ad-hoc GBS Finance projects.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or a related field.
Minimum of seven (7) years of experience in general ledger accounting, internal controls, or audit-related roles, ideally with payroll or benefits accounting exposure.
A mix of public accounting and industry experience is preferred.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a shared services environment or multinational organization is highly desirable.
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) strongly preferred.
In‑depth knowledge of IFRS and U.S. GAAP accounting standards, along with strong understanding of internal control frameworks (e.g., SOX).
Advanced proficiency in ERP systems such as SAP or Oracle, with exposure to payroll platforms including UKG.
Strong data analysis skills with familiarity in reporting and visualization tools like Power BI, Tableau, or similar platforms.
Experience with general ledger and reconciliation tools, including BlackLine or comparable systems.
Strong critical thinking and problem‑solving abilities, with the capacity to navigate ambiguity, assess risks, and develop clear, well‑reasoned recommendations.

Responsibilities

Owns the Payroll and Benefits accounting processes, ensuring completeness, accuracy, and alignment with corporate policy and IFRS accounting standards.
Leads and governs end‑to‑end processes across plants, ensuring consistent execution, strong controls, and standardized reporting.
Accountable for monthly, quarterly, and annual close activities related to payroll and benefit programs (e.g., payroll postings/accruals, health benefits, retirement plans, incentive compensation).
Conducts technical accounting research, analyzes complex transactions, and develops well-supported recommendations and memos/whitepapers to document conclusions.
Reviews and assesses contracts and agreements to determine the appropriate accounting treatment, identifying key terms, obligations, and risks in accordance with IFRS and internal policy; prepares clear documentation of conclusions and recommended actions.
Partners closely with HR, Payroll, GBS Finance North America and India, and Plant finance organizations across multiple geographic locations.
Drives transformation through process redesign, automation initiatives, and system enhancements in partnership with IT and Digital Finance teams.