Sr Corporate Accountant

As a Senior Corporate Accountant at Columbia Sportswear, your core responsibilities will include managing month-end close processes, preparing journal entries and reconciliations, maintaining robust internal controls, and providing timely financial information. You'll also support projects within incentive compensation, hedge accounting, and legal entity transactions while working cross-functionally with the Global Finance Organization.

To qualify for the Senior Corporate Accountant role at Columbia Sportswear, candidates should hold a Bachelor's degree in accounting and have at least 5 years of progressive accounting experience. Alternatively, 3 years of public accounting experience is acceptable. Proficiency in Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), advanced Excel skills, and knowledge of share-based compensation and hedge accounting is preferred. A CPA designation is also a plus.

The Senior Corporate Accountant plays a pivotal role in supporting Columbia Sportswear's finance initiatives through active engagement in continuous improvement projects. This includes identifying process improvement opportunities, automating business processes, and preparing detailed financial reports for both internal and external stakeholders. Your contributions will be essential for enhancing accuracy and efficiency in financial operations.

Columbia Sportswear provides a hybrid working environment for the Senior Corporate Accountant position, expecting employees to work in the office near Portland, Oregon for a minimum of three days per week. This setting encourages collaboration with colleagues while allowing for flexibility depending on business needs. The company values a positive culture and teamwork, creating a vibrant and supportive workplace.

At Columbia Sportswear, Senior Corporate Accountants can expect a range of training and development opportunities designed to enhance their skills and career growth. The company fosters a culture of continuous improvement, providing resources, workshops, and mentorship programs that help you stay updated on financial regulations, technologies, and best practices.

When responding to this question, highlight your proficiency with software relevant to accounting such as SAP, TM1, or advanced Excel. Explain how you've utilized these tools for accounting tasks, financial reporting, or improving processes, emphasizing any successful outcomes.

Discuss the steps you take for a month-end close, which typically includes gathering financial data, verifying completeness, preparing journal entries, and conducting reconciliations. Emphasize your attention to detail and your experience in ensuring accuracy and compliance with GAAP standards.

Share a specific strategy you use to prioritize tasks, whether it’s creating a timeline for deliverables or employing project management tools. Provide an example from your previous experience where you successfully managed multiple deadlines and the positive results that followed.

Discuss your familiarity with hedge accounting practices. Outline any relevant projects you’ve worked on, the complexities involved, and how you ensured compliance with financial regulations. Share insights on how hedge accounting has impacted financial reporting in your previous roles.

Point out that internal controls are essential for preventing errors and fraud, ensuring accurate financial reporting, and complying with regulations. You may provide an example of how you've contributed to strengthening internal controls in past roles.

Share a compelling example where you noticed inefficiencies in an accounting process, the steps you took to implement improvements, and the measurable impact those changes had on the overall financial operations.

Illustrate your commitment to professional development by mentioning resources you use to keep updated, such as webinars, certifications, or industry publications. Share any specific instances where newly acquired knowledge directly benefited your work.

Talk about specific challenges you’ve encountered, like tight deadlines or complex financial reporting requirements. Explain how you approached these challenges and the strategies you employed to effectively resolve them.

Explain your experience in preparing reports for stakeholders such as management teams, investors, or regulatory bodies. Provide examples of specific reports you've prepared and how you've ensured that they meet the necessary compliance and accuracy standards.

Describe your collaborative approach when working with team members across different regions. Highlight specific examples where effective communication and cooperation led to successful project outcomes, especially in a diverse, multicultural setting.