Accounting Associate - Cost Accounting

Career Area:

Finance

Job Description:

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other.  We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.

Job Description

Your Impact Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc

When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.

Job Summary

We are seeking a skilled Accounting Associate (Cost Accounting) to join Analytics COE - Manufacturing Tower - Bangalore-Global Finance Services Division.

As Accounting Associate, you will have the opportunity to help This role will be performed in accounting and financial analysis activities supporting manufacturing operations and business processes. The incumbent will independently manage assigned responsibilities, analyze financial and operational data, resolve accounting issues, support business decision-making, and drive improvements in reporting and finance processes.

The preference for this role is to be based out of Whitefield Office, Bangalore, India

What you will do

• Incumbent will provide technical expertise and perform complex accounting work that supports business processes. Additionally, this position will:
• Have a comprehensive understanding of Caterpillar’s business and accounting practices, systems, and procedures,
• Apply and provide guidance on accounting issues
• Resolve issues independently
• Participate on and addressing complex problems
• Advises and provides guidance to multiple functional areas and levels of authority. Incumbents will demonstrate knowledge and ability to handle accounting issues independently.

Manufacturing Accounting:

• Support management in taking decisions in various projects and cost reduction programs. Cost analysis and root cause of its variance. Participate in business unit book closing and submission of all require input and reports to corporate and stake holders.
• Reporting of inventory metrics to leadership, timely and accurately. Calculation and reporting of Inventory aging, excess, surplus, obsolete etc. per CAT guidelines.

Balance Sheet review, analysis & Reconciliation

• Review and analysis of manufacturing financial metrics

Capital Management: Capital expenses accurate accounting in the Capital Management System (CMS), prepare and evaluate accounting papers, review and approve accuracy of fixed asset and GAAP compliance.

Financial Analysis: accomplish a high level of compilation with a broad range of accounting analysis, review data input, advise internal customers on accuracy of cost data, generate reports and provide commentary to leadership on costs accuracy, to serve as a cost governance person. Use of statistical tools – simulations will be required to support decision making. Analysis of P&L statement and balance sheet.

Decision Support: Support management in taking costing decisions in various projects and cost reduction programs. Helping in estimating various forecast and budget scenarios as needed based on changing business conditions.

  Perform accounting, financial reporting, planning, forecasting, and analytical activities supporting business and finance operations. Analyze financial and operational results, identify trends and variances, and provide actionable insights to Business partner.

·       Support financial activities associated with Investments, Fixed Asset, Capital Accounting, Inventory, Products, Materials and various operational performance. Prepare recurring and ad-hoc financial reports, management information, dashboards, and analytical presentations.

·       Provide financial analysis and decision support for business initiatives, investments, and operational opportunities. Partner with finance and business stakeholders to understand requirements, resolve issues, and deliver agreed outcomes.

·       Maintain accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of financial information and supporting documentation. Operate within established accounting policies, governance frameworks, and internal control requirements.

·       Support the standardization and simplification of finance processes across businesses and locations. Identify opportunities to improve productivity through process improvement, automation, analytics, and digital solutions.

·       Leverage finance systems, data and analytical tools to improve reporting quality and decision support. Participate in finance transformation and continuous improvement initiatives. Build functional expertise across ACOE service areas and adapt to changing business requirements.

 What you will have 

• B. Com with CMA/CA (Semi-Qualified), M. Com, or MBA Finance, with approximately 7-10 years of relevant experience.
• Strong accounting knowledge, including General Ledger, cost accounting, and manufacturing finance.
• Working knowledge of SAP FI, MM and CO modules. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills. Proficiency in MS Office, particularly Excel.
• Experience with analytics and automation tools such as Power BI, Tableau or Power Apps would be an advantage.
• Ability to independently manage assigned responsibilities, prioritize deliverables and work effectively with multiple stakeholders. Demonstrated initiative, accountability, collaboration and a continuous-improvement mindset.

• Flexibility to work in multiple shift timings (APAC, EAME, US)
• This position requires candidate to work a 5-day -a -week schedule in the office.

Top Candidates Will Also Have:

• Strong background in accounting, cost accounting, investment analysis, and budget development
• Strong analytical skills are required to perform detailed financial analysis and strategic plans
• Excellent interpersonal skills are required to deal with sensitive issues, develop others, or convince others inside and outside the department to take specific actions
• Prior leadership experience

Skills desired:

Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Understanding the necessity and value of accuracy; ability to complete tasks with high levels of precision.
Level Extensive Experience:
• Evaluates and makes contributions to best practices.
• Processes large quantities of detailed information with high levels of accuracy.
• Productively balances speed and accuracy.
• Employs techniques for motivating personnel to meet or exceed accuracy goals.
• Implements a variety of cross-checking approaches and mechanisms.
• Demonstrates expertise in quality assurance tools, techniques, and standards.

Analytical Thinking: Knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis; ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems.
Level Extensive Experience:
• Seeks discrepancies and inconsistencies in available information; explains variances.
• Organizes and prioritizes the sequence of steps to be taken to remedy the situation.
• Identifies many possible causes for a problem based on prior experience and current research.
• Quantifies the costs, benefits, risks and chances for success before recommending a course of action.
• Approaches a complex problem by breaking it down into its component parts.
• Chooses among a diverse set of analytical tools according to the nature of the situation.

Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Knowledge of the decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to accurately analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment.
Level Working Knowledge:
• Applies an assigned technique for critical thinking in a decision-making process.
• Identifies, obtains, and organizes relevant data and ideas.
• Participates in documenting data, ideas, players, stakeholders, and processes.
• Recognizes, clarifies, and prioritizes concerns.
• Assists in assessing risks, benefits and consideration of alternatives.

Effective Communications: Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors.
Level Working Knowledge:
• Delivers helpful feedback that focuses on behaviors without offending the recipient.
• Listens to feedback without defensiveness and uses it for own communication effectiveness.
• Makes oral presentations and writes reports needed for own work.
• Avoids technical jargon when inappropriate.
• Looks for and considers non-verbal cues from individuals and groups.

Managing Multiple Priorities: Knowledge of effective self-management practices; ability to manage multiple concurrent objectives, projects, groups, or activities, making effective judgments as to prioritizing and time allocation.
Level Extensive Experience:
• Clarifies and handles multiple concurrent and diverse activities.
• Shifts focus among several efforts as required by changing priorities.
• Addresses potential conflicts that impact current delivery commitments.
• Works with or leads others to re-prioritize work and reschedule commitments as necessary.
• Responds to shifting priorities while maintaining progress of regularly scheduled work.
• Demonstrates an expectation that there will be ongoing shifts in demands and priorities.

Accounting: Knowledge of accounting methods, processes, and tools; ability to maintain and prepare financial statements and reports using accounting methods and processes.
Level Working Knowledge:
• Utilizes cost monitoring practices, techniques and considerations.
• Works with financial transactions and related documentation within the organization.
• Participates in accounting practices of classifying and recording financial data.
• Maintains existing charts of accounts.
• Follows regulations for entering and reporting the financial content in major accounting systems.

Financial Analysis: Knowledge of tools and approaches of financial analysis; ability to read, interpret and draw accurate conclusions from financial and numerical material.
Level Extensive Experience:
• Conducts and documents analyses of a variety of financial statements and indicators.
• Anticipates the potential impact of decisions based on financial data analysis.
• Oversees financial analysis to evaluate organizational and managerial performance.
• Evaluates financial statements and ensures regulatory compliance.
• Advises others on a variety of financial tools, techniques and approaches.
• Directs others work with financial and cash flow ratios and trend analyses.

Financial Reporting: Knowledge of processes, methods, and tools of financial reporting; ability to create and maintain accurate and thorough financial reports.
Level Working Knowledge:
• Follows organizational practices and guidelines for product profitability reporting.
• Analyzes errors or inaccuracies in financial reports.
• Uses basic tools to create simple financial reports.
• Monitors compliance with organizational standards for financial report writing.
• Implements organizational methods and procedures for financial report writing.

What you will get:

• Work Life Harmony
• Earned and medical leave.
• Relocation assistance

Holistic Development

• Personal and professional development through Caterpillar ‘s employee resource groups across the globe
• Career developments opportunities with global prospects

Health and Wellness

• Medical coverage -Medical, life and personal accident coverage
• Employee mental wellness assistance program

 Financial Wellness

• Employee investment plan
• Pay for performance -Annual incentive Bonus plan.

 Additional Information:

Caterpillar is not currently hiring individuals for this position who now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status; however, as a global company, Caterpillar offers many job opportunities outside of the U.S. which can be found through our employment website at www.caterpillar.com/careers

Posting Dates:

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply

Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community.