Sr Specialist, Business Services (GL/R2R Accounting)

The Senior Specialist, reporting to the Corporate Accounting Manager is a key role that is responsible for the month-end close process, accrual accounting, posting journal entries, completing account reconciliations in Blackline, variance analysis, audit support, intercompany accounting reconciliation and other ad-hoc projects for the US and Canadian subsidies of Avient Corporation. 

Shift: The candidate should be flexible to work in different shifts, preferably in EMEA and US time zones.

Job Title: Senior Specialist, Corporate Accounting 

• Manages SAP general ledger accounting activities. Primary responsibilities include the monthly and quarterly closing process for related company financial statements, including providing direct oversight to general ledger accounts, preparing journal entries and account reconciliations.
• Uploading of trial balances into Avient’s SAP system.
• Works cross functionally with those in other areas, such as Manufacturing Accounting, Global Business Services, Analytical Finance, Treasury and Tax, to co-ordinate process improvements that result in more effective and efficient monthly and quarterly close processes.
• Responsible for the preparation of various accounting requirements, including journal entries, reconciliations, analysis of activities and reporting. Areas of responsibility include execution of monthly COPA assessments, various judgmental accruals and reserves, preparation of account reconciliations in Blackline, as well as assistance with other miscellaneous close activities.
• Identifies areas of improvement, including potential automation opportunities to drive process efficiency.
• Preparing work instructions / SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) of the process, team mentoring and ensure compliance with process SLA (Service Level Agreement) and KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) for assigned entities.
• Assists and provides cross functional support, guidance and escalation management of activities from our internal business partners.
• Takes ownership and drives completion of other activities and processes such as SOX, external and internal audits.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or related field.
• CA / Inter CA, MBA in finance, any other specialization in accounting and finance.
• SAP experience - mandatory
• Desirable: Experience with HFM (Hyperion Financial Management) tool.
• Multi-entity experience
• Desirable: Experience in project accounting, fixed asset and lease accounting.
• Advanced excel skillset. Desirable: VBA (Visual basic for application) Macro / Power Automate scripting skills.
• Data analytics experience. Desirable: Experience in Tableau / Power BI.
• 7+ years of experience in accounting, finance, SOX compliance and treasury in an SAP environment.
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills.
• Critical thinking and the ability to “own” responsibilities in a fast-paced environment focused on results.
• Team player with proven ability to lead and manage projects.
• Able to work in a dynamic, fast paced, informal, often ambiguous and rapidly changing business environment.

Our purpose at Avient Corporation is to be an innovator of materials solutions that help our customers succeed, while enabling a sustainable world.

Innovation goes far beyond materials science; it’s powered by the passion, creativity, and diverse expertise of 9,000 professionals worldwide. Whether you’re a finance wizard, a tech enthusiast, an operational powerhouse, an HR changemaker, or a trailblazer in materials development, you’ll find your place at Avient.

Join our global team and help shape the future with sustainable solutions that transform possibilities into realities. Your unique perspective could be the key to our next breakthrough!

We believe that all of our global employees are leaders and that the six most important behaviors for driving our strategy and culture are the same no matter if an employee is a leader of self, a leader of others, or a leader of the business.

By playing to win, acting customer centric, driving innovation and profitable growth, collaborating seamlessly across Avient, and motivating and inspiring and developing others and yourself you will accelerate your ability to achieve Avient’s strategic goals, to meet our customer needs, and to accomplish your career goals.

At Avient, we believe a wide variety of thoughts, ideas and backgrounds gives us the creativity to be successful in a rapidly changing world.  In support of this, we stress equality of opportunity for all qualified individuals in accordance with applicable laws. Decisions on hiring, promotion, development, compensation or advancement are based solely on a person’s qualifications, abilities, experience and performance.