If you're a proven accountant who combines a strong background in public accounting, including audit, with the ability to effectively work cross-functionally with multiple stakeholders as a key member of our General Ledger team, the role of Principal Accountant offers some compelling advantages. You will:

• Enjoy diverse responsibilities including balance sheet oversight, the review and development of policies and procedures, management of operational accounting controls, special projects, and more.
• Make an impact in a newly added role offering visibility and professional growth opportunities. You'll work with a variety of internal contacts as we centralize core GL functions, moving tasks being done by the wider Finance team to Shared Services. 
• Join an outstanding and talented team, including legacy and newer members. We work hard but also have fun, value fresh ideas, and maintain a positive, upbeat attitude, even during month-end and other deadlines. 
• Highlight your skills and ability to take on additional challenges and advance your career with Essilor, here in Dallas or at locations across North America and the globe. From this role, you could step up to management or follow another path in Finance or Shared Services.
• Enjoy the stability and resources of a growing global organization -- our recent combination with Luxottica has made us the world's largest player in the eyewear industry. At the same time, you'll also enjoy a small company feeling in Dallas.
• Join an organization driven by a threefold mission: Improving lives by improving sight, innovating for better vision, and reaching the 2.7 billion underserved.

Improving Lives By Improving Sight. Essilor of America, Inc. is the leading manufacturer of eyeglass lenses in the United States, employs more than 10,000 people and operates the largest and most comprehensive optical laboratory network in the U.S. Essilor of America, Inc. is a subsidiary of Paris-based Essilor International. Essilor manufactures optical lenses under the Varilux®, Crizal®, Transitions®, and other brands, and our products are worn by one billion people daily. Essilor has been on Forbes' list of the World's 100 Most Innovative Companies every year since 2010, and we ranked #62 out of 700 corporations awarded the title "Diversity Leader 2020" by the Financial Times.

To meet the basic qualification for this role, you will have legal authorization to work permanently in the United States for any employer without requiring a visa transfer or visa sponsorship. In addition, to be a good fit for the Principal Accountant opportunity, you will have:

• A bachelor’s or master's degree in Accounting required
• CPA eligible; CPA, MS in Accounting, MBA or equivalent degree/certification preferred  Quick question for you - click here
• 5-7 years of professional experience. Big 4 experience a plus  Quick question for you - click here
• Audit experience preferred
• Sound analytical reasoning depth and strong technical skills in finance and/or accounting
• Demonstrated experience in managing/interpreting complex data using various databases
• Experience in an integrated systems environment desired; Oracle applications experience a plus
• Strong PC skills required, with experience:
  • Windows
  • Excel advanced skills including pivot tables, VLOOKUPs and HLOOKUPS  Quick question for you - click here
  • PowerPoint
  • SAP preferred
• Focus on accuracy and follow through
• Proven ability to work with all levels of management
• Ability and desire to work across business units within and outside of Finance
• Outstanding interpersonal and customer service skills; strong verbal and written communications skills
• Ability to work independently and minimal oversight, and as a strong team member
• Bilingual English/Spanish a plus

Our team maintains a safety-first commitment to our employees so we are following stringent COVID-19 precautions. Initially, you will work remotely. When it's safe to do so, we will return to the office in Dallas, though we anticipate retaining limited work-from-home flexibility. 

Reporting to the General Ledger Director, as Principal Accountant, you will be responsible for the review and development of policies and procedures, and ongoing oversight of the balance sheet. In addition, you will lead the development, management, and oversight of Operational Accounting controls, as well as assist Finance Shared Services in performing business support and financial analysis as necessary.

You'll join a strong team primarily located in Dallas with Shared Services members in Mexico. You'll work with three directors, including your direct supervisor, another principal accountant, a senior payroll and senior acquisition accountant. Your essential duties will include: 

• Conducting full-cycle accounting, including, but not limited to, A/R, Capital, Inventory, month-end close and management reporting  Quick question for you - click here
• Providing Financial Education and Training to other Finance team members
• Performing month-end close
• Maintaining and balancing accounts by verifying, allocating, posting, reconciling transactions, resolving discrepancies
• Reviewing Account Reconciliation Tool, including, but not limited to:
  • Risk rating of balance sheet accounts
  • Adequacy of account reconciliations to address inherent risk
  • Providing assurance that accounts are reconciled in accordance with established guidelines on a timely basis that follow the Essilor Group Standards Guide and appropriate internal control policies
• Monthly reporting to Essilor International, including, but not limited to:
  • Accurate and timely completion of reporting requirements of Parent, including analysis of balance sheet movements, appendices, and other supporting detail to assist in worldwide consolidated reporting
  • Preparation and analysis of working capital variances
  • Completion of schedules showing the impact of acquisitions on consolidated cash flow
  • Reconciliation of internal management to CARS reporting
  • Review of CARS reporting packages performed by GL Shared Services team members
  • Review of monthly intercompany balancing and escalation of systemic reconciling issues
• Performing duties inherent in all professional positions

Additional projects, tasks and/or duties beyond what is outlined here may be assigned as required. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Coordinating analysis, review and reconciliation of Balance Sheet with an understanding of high-risk accounts
• Reviewing account reconciliations of Finance Shared Services
• Reviewing journal entries of Finance Shared Services
• Researching accounting issues
• Assisting with Financial integrations of subsidiaries into Oracle
• Documenting policies and procedures
• Assisting with coordination of 401k and financial statement audit

This description is intended to give you a general overview of the position and is not an exhaustive listing of duties and responsibilities.

Learning and development
Ours is a dynamic environment filled with interesting challenges and opportunities for growth. There is always something to learn, think through, research or fix. At every level, people are producing work and are learning and evolving their skills and knowledge.

Flexibility
Naturally, there are times when we flex our schedules, such as month-end close, but for the most part, we enjoy great work/life balance. Additionally, you'll enjoy some schedule flexibility. 

Great environment
You will join a team that includes dedicated, sharp and mutually supportive professionals. Our culture is entrepreneurial and fresh, backed by 170 years of success. You'll also be part of a global organization and have international exposure, specifically working with the team in Mexico.

Truly living our values
At Essilor, we believe everyone deserves to see life and all its detail with the best vision possible. That's why, in addition to designing, manufacturing and distributing quality vision care solutions worldwide, we invest in raising awareness of the importance of good vision, support eyecare professionals, invent new technologies and products, and support philanthropic initiatives. We also are committed to robust standards for environmental sustainability. These are just a couple of reasons we were one of the 52 companies named to Fortune magazine's 2019 Change the World list.

Excellent compensation
In addition to a competitive salary and bonus potential, we offer an exceptional mix of first-rate benefits, including medical, dental and vision plans; a 401(k) plan with company match; tuition reimbursement; comprehensive training through Essilor University; lens and frame benefits for you and your family; an employee stock purchase plan with company match; and more.

Video: As part of the #DifferenceMakers campaign, Essilor chose four eyecare professionals and three Essilor employees to participate in a mission trip to Southeast Asia in March 2019.

To be successful in the role of Principal Accountant, you will bring a strong skill-set, the drive to continue learning and a positive attitude. We've got a great team that works well together. A cultural fit will be essential. If you take a collaborative approach, bring strong communication skills, have a good sense of humor and a positive outlook, you'll fit right in. Quick question for you - click here In addition, to excel in the role, you will:

• Work independently, owning your projects
• Keep an eye open to improvements, particularly from a controls viewpoint
• Bring outstanding communication skills and provide regular status updates to keep leadership in the loop 
• Approach problems with an analytical mindset, breaking them apart to find logical solutions
• Come forward with problems...and solutions
• Help and support others as they will support you
• Work effectively with many different contacts, providing outstanding service