What You Will Do: From the outset, incumbent will be expected to be a contributing performer, doing entry level accounting work that supports business processes. Additionally, this position will: Gain an understanding of Caterpillar’s business and accounting practices, systems and procedures Learn and develop skills, which result from the practical application of basic accounting knowledge Provide assistance to project team members or others in the work group The incumbent will be exposed to one or multiple accounting functions and will accomplish a high level of compilation and basic analysis work, reviewing clerical input, processing journal entries, reconciliations, and generating reports. The incumbent will identify relevant data, data sources, gather and analyze information and provide feedback. Typically, decisions will impact low risk issues and will be reviewed by a supervisor or technical leader. Work will be directed by the supervisor, but this position does not require close supervision to be effective. Possible areas of responsibility are varied, including: 80 Processing accounting journal entries timely, accurately and completely to ensure that all financial transactions are properly accounted for 80 Coordinates the monthly legal entity closing activities for designated facilities 80 Verifies data accuracy in the financial documents and takes appropriate action 80 Performs analysis of accounting data to support management needs 80 Performs analysis of legal entity results and payables process 80 Performs data collection and compilation to meet business plan, forecast, and other management reporting needs 80 Handles ad-hoc assignments 80 Tracking of actual product costs versus target 80 Ensures there is a single source for monitoring and tracking machine costs within the cost targets that have been set. The variety of accounting tasks ranges from low to medium complexity. Interaction outside the workgroup is typically with other team members. As the incumbent gains experience, he/she will develop a technical understanding of more complex accounting issues and expand their decision-making capability. Incumbents will continuously learn through training and experience. Learning at this level will focus on methods, processes and systems applied to accounting, developing communications skills and building knowledge of Caterpillar’s businesses, products, suppliers and customers. The position manages the completion of its own work assignments and coordinates work with others. The position's primary customers are internal. The position is challenged to quickly and correctly identify problems. The incumbent generally resolves issues by following departmental guidelines or applying a solution that worked in the past. The incumbent is free to determine the best way to complete job assignments in order to achieve desired results. Work is reviewed after completion, except in the most complex or high impact situations. Impacts key goals including Timeliness, Accuracy, etc. The position participates in brainstorming sessions focused on developing new approaches to report. What Skills You Will Have: Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Understanding the necessity and value of accuracy; ability to complete tasks with high levels of precision. Level Working Knowledge: 61 Accurately gauges the impact and cost of errors, omissions, and oversights. 61 Utilizes specific approaches and tools for checking and cross-checking outputs. 61 Processes limited amounts of detailed information with good accuracy. 61 Learns from mistakes and applies lessons learned. 61 Develops and uses checklists to ensure that information goes out error-free. 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 Basic Understanding: 61 Names specific tools or techniques that can be used to support the analytical thinking process. 61 Describes specific software applications or products used for business analytics. 61 Gives examples of how analytical thinking has been used to resolve problems. 61 Helps others research and learn more about business analytics tools and applications. 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: 61 Delivers helpful feedback that focuses on behaviors without offending the recipient. 61 Listens to feedback without defensiveness and uses it for own communication effectiveness. 61 Makes oral presentations and writes reports needed for own work. 61 Avoids technical jargon when inappropriate. 61 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 Basic Understanding: 61 Explains basic concepts of time and priority management. 61 Seeks guidance in detecting and addressing priority conflicts. 61 States own business priorities. 61 Describes team or unit priorities. Problem Solving: Knowledge of approaches, tools, techniques for recognizing, anticipating, and resolving organizational, operational or process problems; ability to apply knowledge of problem solving appropriately to diverse situations. Level Working Knowledge: 61 Identifies and documents specific problems and resolution alternatives. 61 Examines a specific problem and understands the perspective of each involved stakeholder. 61 Develops alternative techniques for assessing accuracy and relevance of information. 61 Helps to analyze risks and benefits of alternative approaches and obtain decision on resolution. 61 Uses fact-finding techniques and diagnostic tools to identify problems. 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: 61 Utilizes cost monitoring practices, techniques and considerations. 61 Works with financial transactions and related documentation within the organization. 61 Participates in accounting practices of classifying and recording financial data. 61 Maintains existing charts of accounts. 61 Follows regulations for entering and reporting the financial content in major accounting systems. Financial Reporting: Knowledge of processes, methods, and tools of financial reporting; ability to create and maintain accurate and thorough financial reports. Level Basic Understanding: 61 Describes basic methods for financial report writing. 61 Identifies basic financial report-writing tools. 61 Clarifies the purpose and value of accurate financial reports. 61 Utilizes the major financial reports used by the organization. This Job Description is intended as a general guide to the job duties for this position and is intended for the purpose of establishing the specific salary grade. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as an exhaustive summary of all responsibilities, duties and effort required of employees assigned to this job. At the discretion of management, this description may be changed at any time to address the evolving needs of the organization. It is expressly not intended to be a comprehensive list of “essential job functions” as that term is defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Required Qualifications: * 4 year Degree in Accounting/ IT or equivalent or 4 year Degree in Business with a minimum of 18 hours accounting coursework * 3.0 / 4.0 Grade Point Average (Account GPA & Cumulative GPA) or equivalent * Willingness to relocate and be mobile minded * Excellent Initiative, Communication, Leadership and Interpersonal skills Desired Qualifications: * Professional Certification (Certified Public Accountant (CPA), ACCA, Certified Management Accountant (CMA) or equivalent) * MBA or Masters Degree in Accounting (or equivalent) * 1 to 2 years of Accounting experience
