Petco Accounting Position
Participate in the month-end closing process. Monitor entries in the General Ledger (GL) to ensure appropriate allocation, determine if reclassifications are required, explain variances, and analyze various accounts to avoid year-end audit exposure. Develop andrecommend new procedures, processes and policies for the accounting operations of assigned function. Serve as accounting business partner to assigned function on issues that are moderately complex. Analyze, research and reconcile selected accounts and cost discrepancies. Effectively communicate withfield associates, corporate support staff and management to ensure issues relating to accounting are brought to the appropriate individuals for action. This function performs both statistical and financial analysis and is required to think and act independently when judgment is required.
This position must protect Petco's accounting data received from internal and external sources.
The incumbent must be able to perform all of the following duties and responsibilities with or without a reasonable accommodation.
- Interact professionally and effectively through verbal and written communication with all professional contacts with emphasis on company interests
- Efficiently create complex documents and/or reports using spreadsheet, database, and accounting software in a timely fashion.
- Independently prioritize and accomplish multiple tasks within established timeframes
- Analyze simple to moderately complex data to determine the appropriate course of action.
- Perform accounting duties and control activities to ensure financial results are reported without error.
- Research and analyze selective data sets and/or accounts pertaining to the duties of the specific functional area of accounting being performed
- Prepare month-end journal entries, reconciliations, budgets, forms, reports, and schedules relating to the accounts in the specific area of focus
- Effectively communicate with field partners, corporate support staff, and senior management, ensuring issues related to accounting are communicated to the appropriate impacted partners for action.
- Analyze problems, research the root causes, and overcome roadblocks to functional success.
Performs additional duties as required, including but not limited to special projects as assigned. Rotation through various functional areas of Accounting learning the processes, understanding the relationships between the groups, and the overall impact each team has on Petco. Be flexible and available to provide coverage and support for positions in various functional areas of accounting (Example: General Accounting, Inventory Accounting, Accounts Payable, etc.). Work productively in the face of ambiguity and accept constructive feedback. Protect confidential information and respect others that may have to protect their confidences. Identify process weaknesses and develop proposed improvements and collaboratively implement solutions to drive efficiency and increased profitability. Actively seek development opportunities for hard and soft skills within the organization. Seek feedback from senior partners. Performing analyses of actual versus budget, reclassifying errors, explaining variances, and interfacing with other departments to give instruction on proper classification of expenses. Accounts analyzed are of a more complex nature than those handled by an analyst which may require a more thorough understanding of accounting as gained through practical experience. Providing an understandable explanation to peers and management that may not possess accounting knowledge or a financial background.
While the partner is assigned to the following functional areas of accounting these additional job duties may be performed:
- Accounts Payable Accounting
- Accounts Receivable
- General Accounting
- Inventory Accounting (IA)/ Vendor Funding
- Lease & Fixed Asset Accounting
- Payroll
- Physical Inventory Accounting
- Sales Audit
- Similar title, separate functions
- Tax, Corporate
- Tax, Sales & Use
Nature of Supervision
Routine work is performed independently, with some supervision and use of personal judgment/discretion is required but will be periodically monitored.
Supervisory Responsibility
This position will not directly or indirectly supervise or manage any partners or manage/lead cross-functional work groups
Planning and Problem Solving
This position:
- Must prioritize work assignments using planning and time management skills including but not limited to task lists and timelines.
- Is required to solve moderate to complex problems, advanced problem solving skills are preferred.
- Must identify and escalate larger issues to their supervisor/ manager for guidance on resolution.
Impact
This role will be flexible and mobile to provide support in various areas of Accounting when and where resource needs are identified. This role will validate and ensure the accuracy and integrity of Petco's accounting and financial data through use of controlled accounting processes.
Education and Experience
Educational requirement:
- A 4-year degree in Accounting/Finance or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
- A solid understanding of accounting principles equivalent to a college level Intermediate Accounting course.
A qualified applicant must have and/or be able to demonstrate previous experience with and/or the ability to:
- A 4 year college degree in Accounting/Finance or a minimum 3 to 5 years of work experience at the level of junior or staff accountant preferred.
- Communicate well in English and convey accounting concepts to non-accounting associates.
- Good interpersonal communications skills and interaction with other department personnel as well as senior management.
- Intermediate to advanced knowledge of most Microsoft Office Suite applications (e.g. Excel, Word, and Access) and 10-key by touch
- Must be accurate, detail oriented, proficient with personal computer based programs, and trainable on company specific systems
- Interact with peers and leaders of the business with poise and confidence.
- Analyze business decisions critically and engage in constructive conversations regarding alternative points of view when needed.
The following experience is preferred, however not required:
- Knowledge of the fundamentals associated with different functional areas of Accounting.
- Management of multiple concurrent projects/priorities at one time.
- Previous working experience with PeopleSoft financial software.
Competencies
- Demonstrate Adaptability and Desire to Learn -- Works productively in the face of ambiguity or uncertainty. Demonstrates flexibility and resilience in response to obstacles, constraints, adversity, and mistakes. Constructively and resourcefully adapts to changing needs, conditions, priorities or opportunities. Seeks out opportunities to learn from new discoveries, innovations, ways of looking at things, knowledge, and ideas. Invites and incorporates feedback, without becoming defensive.
- Perform Professional Analysis -- Integrates information from a variety of sources to arrive at a broader understanding of issues (e.g., company reports plus in-store observations).Defines issues clearly despite incomplete or ambiguous information. Identifies the key issues in complex or ambiguous problems. Approaches problems or issues systematically, looking for connections, trends, and potential causes. Probes and looks past symptoms to determine the underlying causes of problems and issues.
- Plan and Execute -- Develops realistic plans (e.g., action steps, timelines) to accomplish objectives. Acquires and leverages resources, processes, and tools to achieve business goals. Prioritizes and balances time, actions, and projects to ensure accomplishment of results. Holds him/herself and team accountable for outcomes (e.g., achieving goals and complying with policies and procedures). Anticipates and addresses obstacles, redirecting efforts to accelerate the work or improve quality.
- Produce Results -- Initiates decisive, timely action to address important issues. Demonstrates a strong sense of ownership and a commitment to achieving meaningful results. Sets challenging, clear goals/targets and expectations for achieving business results. Drives initiatives/efforts to successful completion and closure. Takes personal responsibility to make decisions and take action.
- Satisfy the Customer -- Identifies and anticipates customer requirements, expectations, and needs. Seeks feedback from customers to identify improvement opportunities. Follows up with customers to ensure problems are solved. Continually searches for ways to improve customer service (including the removal of barriers, and providing solutions).
- Use Professional Judgment -- Makes logical, rational, and integrative decisions, and arrives at sound conclusions. Chooses the best alternative(s) based on a review of pros, cons, tradeoffs, timing, and probabilities. Evaluates the consequences and implications of alternatives, actions, or decisions (e.g., impact on sales, returns, customer loyalty). Makes timely decisions, balancing analysis with decisiveness.
Work Environment
The majority of job duties are conducted indoors in a quiet standard office environment, with little or no exposure to hazards. Work involves the frequent use of general office equipment such as calculator, keyboard, copier, telephone, and fax. This position will not require extended travel. Sporadic travel for training purposes and the like may be required. This position may periodically require work on Saturdays and/or Sundays.