Director of Accounting

THE COMPANY:

The Director of Accounting will report to the VP of Finance. The VP of Finance reports to the President of HI-LEX Controls Inc. & HI-LEX Automotive Center, Dr. Brad Semp in Rochester Hills, Michigan. Under Dr. Semp’s leadership, HI-LEX is undertaking a shared services strategy to centralize and provide finance leadership and support across all business groups in the United States (and including one location in Saltillo, Mexico). Having traditionally grown as separate finance teams at each plant location, this is the first time that the finance team is aligned and challenged to cultivate a culture of consistent, sustained, and effective financial policies and practices. All aspects of the current finance organization including people, processes and technology will be assessed and undergo a systematic transition to synchronize all locations and divisions across the Americas region. Total revenues for the HI-LEX operations in the United States are approximately $650 million with roughly 1,000 hourly associates and nearly 350 salaried.

The Director of Accounting at HI-LEX will be responsible for overseeing the financial reporting, technical accounting, and internal controls for its North American operations. This role involves overseeing financial reporting processes, managing audits, ensuring compliance with US GAAP, managing intercompany transactions, and driving process improvements to enhance reporting efficiency.

Key strategic initiatives for this role will include, but are not limited to:

• Research and implement new accounting standards, providing technical accounting guidance as needed
• Experience with accounting software and financial reporting tools to improve accuracy and timeliness
• Constantly challenging what’s possible, never simply accepting what has always been done
• Effectively driving and managing change, challenging status quo and championing new and innovative ideas
• Improving the timeliness and accuracy of all controlling-related outputs to Best In-Class levels
• Having sense of urgency and supporting data needs for decision-makers at all facilities
• Technical knowledge of ASC 810 for improve consolidations and reporting

KEY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Financial Statements: Lead the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements for North American operations, ensuring alignment with both U.S. GAAP and Japanese reporting standards.
• Financial Close and Reporting:
  • Support global financial reporting deadlines and coordinate closely with Japan-based corporate finance
  • Ensure timely and accurate intercompany eliminations and foreign currency translation
  • Review and approve journal entries, account reconciliations, and month-end closing entries
  • Manage Risks and Opportunities by working with department leaders.
  • Prepare variances analysis
• Internal Controls & Compliance:
  • Lead JSOX compliance efforts and internal control frameworks for global audit support
  • Identify and mitigate accounting risks across operations, financial reporting, and ITGC including recommending and implementing control improvements.
• Technical Accounting: Serve as the subject matter expert for U.S. GAAP and manufacturing-specific accounting issues, including tooling, capital project accounting, and revenue recognition.
• Audit Support: Manage external and internal audit processes and prepare audit schedules for year-end and interim reviews.
• Transfer Pricing: Analyze and implement accounting treatment for complex transactions such as intercompany arrangements and transfer pricing contemporaneous documentation.
• Team Leadership: Manage and mentor a team of accountants, providing guidance, training, and performance management; ensure the team adheres to deadlines, maintains high-quality work, and develops technical accounting skills
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Manufacturing Finance, FP&A, and IT to drive process efficiencies and continuous improvement
• Strategic Initiatives: Participate in special financial projects and initiatives as needed, including mergers and acquisitions, system implementations, and financial process reengineering

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance or business administration, or equivalent business experience. Professional certifications, preferably Certified Public Accountant or similar designation, are also an added plus.

FUNCTIONAL EXPERIENCE

• 10 years of overall accounting and financial reporting background. With minimum of four years as Consolidations, Technical Accounting and/or and Reporting Manager
• Prior experience in external and/or internal audit highly preferred
• 10 year experience with major ERP systems (PLEX experience preferred).
• Personal ability to use Google Sheets for spreadsheet analyses and related knowledge and experience of how to lead a digital transformation from MS Excel to Google Sheets.

INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE

• Ideally, the successful candidate will bring an automotive background, and preferably a business with multiple plant locations and in fast-paced environment.
• Experience working in organizations where continuous improvement and “field standardization” has been part of the company’s culture would be another advantage and experience leading a cultural transformation, including the integration of acquired companies.
• Experience in a non-U.S. headquartered company would be positive, and experience in another Japanese company would be considered ideal.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• External and Internal Audit
• Strong knowledge of financial reporting and variance analyses.
• Outstanding knowledge and understanding of US GAAP, IFRS and JSOX compliance.
• Service-oriented to support the operational leaders in the business.
• Ability to solve day-to-day issues related to controlling

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Business acumen and ability to communicate advice and counsel effectively in written and oral forms to all management and employees for all subjects related to controlling activities of all plants
• Detail-oriented and excellent organization skill
• Problem-solving skill
• Task prioritization skills using Eisenhower Matrix
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Time and project management skills to multi-task and achieve results in a fast-paced environment.
• A reputation for impeccable ethics and integrity.
• Dedication to driving and achieving results.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Hands-on, working Director with an entrepreneurial spirit.
• Ability to quickly inspire confidence and establish trust, respect, credibility, and rapport with the Operations Team.
• Ability to act independently.
• Trusted to manage highly confidential and sensitive matters.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Resilient and action-oriented.
• Experience with multi-site manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading and implementing financial reporting processes, that include developing measurable performance goals, metrics, and benchmarks.
• Excellent listening skills – including the ability to hear the concerns of operational leaders in terms of the finance services they require to achieve their goals.
• High emotional intelligence (EQ)