Principal Accountant North America

Tennant Company•Eden Prairie, MN

About The Position

The Principal Accountant, North America supports Tennant Company's North American and Corporate Accounting month-end close processes and helps ensure accurate financial reporting in accordance with US GAAP, SOX 404 requirements, and company policies. The role prepares and analyzes financial results, maintains general ledger processes, supports audits, and drives process and system improvements. It partners with teams across the business on accounting matters, reporting, budgeting, and forecasting, and serves as a subject matter expert for assigned technical accounting areas.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance.
7–10+ years of experience in public accounting, preferably Big Four, or corporate accounting within a public company environment.
Strong knowledge of U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (US GAAP).
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
Strong systems aptitude and an internal controls mindset.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively across functions and organizational levels.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Commitment to continuous improvement and process optimization.

Nice To Haves

Combination of 2–4 years of public accounting experience and 2–3 years of public company corporate accounting experience.
Experience with SAP or other ERP systems.
Experience with OneStream account reconciliation software.
Public company reporting and SOX compliance experience.

Responsibilities

Prepare monthly journal entries, account reconciliations, and supporting workpapers, applying accounting guidance to revenue recognition, sales incentives, debt, warranties, and other technical accounting areas.
Lead and coordinate monthly close activities for North America and designated global entities, ensuring timely completion of close deliverables.
Partner with Commercial, Operations, Supply Chain, FP&A, Tax, Treasury, and senior business leaders to evaluate accounting implications of business decisions and strategic initiatives.
Analyze balance sheet and income statement accounts and perform reconciliations to support compliance with US GAAP and SOX 404 requirements.
Identify, recommend, and record accounting adjustments while improving accounting processes and controls.
Prepare, analyze, and review financial and operational reports and communicate findings to business partners and stakeholders.
Manage general ledger close process components, including system enhancements, process design, testing, and implementation.
Record monthly sales incentive accruals and collaborate with North American business teams on accounting for sales, cost of sales, and related liabilities.
Support internal and external audits by preparing schedules, workpapers, analyses, and documentation.
Own key SOX compliance efforts, including maintaining and enhancing process narratives, risk assessments, and control documentation.
Contribute to financial statement disclosures and footnotes.
Lead implementation and ongoing application of new accounting standards, policies, and transactions across North America for assigned technical accounting areas.
Partner with FP&A during annual budgeting and forecasting.
Participate in special projects, system implementations, and cross-functional initiatives, and provide backup support across the accounting organization.