Finance Analyst, Accounts Payable

The Financial Analyst, Accounts Payable is responsible for analyzing, monitoring, and improving Accounts Payable operations through data-driven insights, financial analysis, and process optimization. This role supports internal stakeholders, external suppliers, and cross-functional teams by identifying trends, resolving complex invoice and payment issues, and ensuring the accuracy and integrity of AP financial data.

The Financial Analyst leverages reporting, analytics, and key performance metrics to identify process inefficiencies, mitigate financial risk, improve vendor experience, and support continuous improvement initiatives. This position partners closely with Procurement, Accounting, Supply Chain, IT, and business stakeholders to drive operational excellence and strengthen financial controls.

This position is not hybrid/remote and will be located at our Hinckley Parkway building in Cleveland, OH. 

Because this role involves access to confidential financial information, the Company has determined that a review of criminal history is necessary to protect the business and its operations and reputation and to provide similar protections for its clients and potential investments.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS                                                        

1. Accounts Payable Analysis and Exception Management

• Analyze invoice, payment, and vendor data to identify trends, processing inefficiencies, and recurring exceptions.
• Research and resolve invoice discrepancies related to pricing, quantities, purchase orders, receipts, and tax treatment.
• Perform root cause analysis on recurring issues and recommend corrective actions to improve processing accuracy and efficiency.
• Monitor invoice aging, exception queues, and unresolved transactions to minimize financial risk and payment delays.
• Support timely and accurate invoice processing while ensuring compliance with company policies and controls.

2. Financial Reporting and Data Analytics

• Analyze Accounts Payable reports, including aging, hold, open receipt, debit balance, and workflow performance reports.
• Develop reporting and dashboards to measure key performance indicators (KPIs) and operational effectiveness.
• Identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement through detailed analysis of financial and operational data.
• Present actionable insights and recommendations to management and business partners.
• Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end reporting activities.

3. Vendor and Stakeholder Support

• Serve as a primary point of contact for supplier and internal stakeholder inquiries regarding invoices, payments, and AP processes.
• Utilize data analysis and transaction research to resolve complex issues and escalations.
• Build strong relationships with vendors and internal customers to improve communication and reduce recurring issues.
• Collaborate with Procurement, Receiving, Accounting, and operational teams to resolve process gaps and improve performance.

4. Account Reconciliations and Financial Controls

• Perform balance sheet account reconciliations and investigate reconciling items.
• Analyze account activity and aging to ensure accurate financial reporting and compliance with company policies.
• Validate financial data integrity across systems and reports.
• Support internal and external audit requests and ensure adherence to established controls.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen controls and improve reporting accuracy.

5. Process Improvement and Automation

• Identify opportunities to streamline AP processes through automation, standardization, and workflow improvements.
• Analyze operational metrics to measure process performance and improvement effectiveness.
• Participate in system implementations, enhancements, and testing activities.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives designed to reduce costs, increase efficiency, and improve service levels.
• Monitor and report on the effectiveness of implemented solutions.

6. Cross-Functional Collaboration and Strategic Support

• Partner with Accounting, Finance, Procurement, Supply Chain, Business Process Improvement, and IT teams to address operational challenges.
• Provide analytical support for special projects, business cases, and management reporting.
• Assist leadership with forecasting, risk assessments, trend analysis, and performance measurement.
• Contribute to strategic initiatives that enhance financial performance and operational effectiveness.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration
• 1+ years of experience in Business or Finance
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without company sponsorship
• Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age
• Experience using Microsoft Office products Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Preferred:

• 1+ years of accounts payable experience within a large manufacturing and/or retail sales environment.
• Adapt easily to technological advancements in a fast-paced environment

• Experience using data to identify trends, root causes, and opportunities for improvement. 

• Experience with reporting tools, dashboards, or data visualization software. 

• Oracle

• OnBase
• Coupa

Travel: 10%

At Sherwin-Williams, our purpose is to inspire and improve the world by coloring and protecting what matters. Our paints, coatings and innovative solutions make the places and spaces in our world brighter and stronger. Your skills, talent and passion make it possible to live this purpose, and for customers and our business to achieve great results. Sherwin-Williams is a place that takes its stability, growth and momentum and translates it to possibility for our people. Our people are behind the strength of our success, and we invest and support you in:

Life … with rewards, benefits and the flexibility to enhance your health and well-being
Career … with opportunities to learn, develop new skills and grow your contribution
Connection … with an inclusive team and commitment to our own and broader communities
It's all here for you... let's Create Your Possible

At Sherwin-Williams, part of our mission is to help our employees and their families live healthier, save smarter and feel better. This starts with a wide range of world-class benefits designed for you. From retirement to health care, from total well-being to your daily commute—it matters to us. A general description of benefits offered can be found at http://www.myswbenefits.com/. Click on “Candidates” to view benefit offerings that you may be eligible for if you are hired as a Sherwin-Williams employee.

Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case and will impact where actual compensation may fall within the stated wage range. The wage range listed for this role takes into account the wide range of factors considered in making compensation decisions including skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. The wage range, other compensation, and benefits information listed is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, with or without notice, subject to applicable law.

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws including with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act where applicable.

Sherwin-Williams is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.  All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, age, pregnancy, genetic information, creed, marital status or any other consideration prohibited by law or by contract.

As a VEVRAA Federal Contractor, Sherwin-Williams requests state and local employment services delivery systems to provide priority referral of Protected Veterans.

Please be aware, Sherwin-Williams recruiting team members will never request a candidate to provide a payment, ask for financial information, or sensitive personal information like national identification numbers, date of birth, or bank account numbers during the application process.