Sr. Financial Analyst - Cost Accounting

Job Description

The ‘Sr. Analyst – LIFO & Capitalizations – Cost Accounting’ position is a key member of the Enterprise Finance Global Cost Accounting Team – which holds global responsibility for costing-related functions across our Regions and ERP platforms. Within the Global Cost Team, this position is primarily responsible for maintaining the company‑wide LIFO reserve (Distribution, Stores, and Corporate), material capitalization, and conversion capitalization calculations.

This role requires strong technical and analytical skills in Excel and One Stream, strong attention to detail, and prior knowledge of LIFO/FIFO inventory and standard costing methods. In addition to those core responsibilities, this role will also be responsible for helping to support the passthrough process, raw material costing and variance accounting, and other strategic projects as identified by leadership.

This position will work cross-functionally with various members of the R&C (Reporting & Controls), SBS (Shared Business Services), GSC (Global Supply Chain), and Commercial Selling divisions in the execution of these responsibilities.

This position is not hybrid/remote and will be located at our Global Headquarters in Cleveland, OH.

Because this role involves access to confidential financial information, the Company has determined that a review of criminal history is necessary to protect the business and its operations and reputation and to provide similar protections for its clients and potential investments.

• Manage the company‑wide LIFO reserve (Distribution, Stores, and Corporate), including monthly LIFO income/expense forecasting and year‑end actual calculations. This includes calculating LIFO based on inventory at actual cost (standard cost + material and conversion variances), ensuring all inventory‑related costs and absorption are captured and properly assigned to inventory pools, and preparing Reporting Package for the management with explanations of key drivers impacting LIFO.
• Perform a detailed review of the LIFO process, including suggestions for enhancement. Update or compile strong SOPs in support of executing the process. Cross‑train other team members on the LIFO process.
• Manage North America and International Material and Conversion Capitalization required for monthly forecast and year‑end inventory valuation. Review existing processes and propose enhancements or standardization when appropriate.
• Assist in reviewing and developing annual raw material standard costs, freight, usage, and other overheads.
• Assist with audit review which could be annually and/or semi‑annually.
• Drive process improvement initiatives and implement best practices. Contribute to Enterprise Finance & BIOS initiatives such as supporting recent acquisition integration or expansion of common practices to other global regions. Engage in other daily or strategic responsibilities as assigned.

Required:

• Bachelor's Degree with a major in Accounting, Finance, or a similar Business degree.
• 3+ years of accounting experience.
• Experience with Microsoft Excel.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship now or in the future for employment visa status.
• Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.

Preferred:

• CPA or MBA in Accounting or Finance or related business field.
• Experience with Standard Cost development.
• Experience with One Stream Structure.
• Experience with monthly variance accounting.
• Experience with QAD and Oracle Cloud ERP systems.

Travel: 10%

At Sherwin‑Williams, our purpose is to inspire and improve the world by coloring and protecting what matters. Our paints, coatings and innovative solutions make the places and spaces in our world brighter and stronger. Your skills, talent and passion make it possible to live this purpose, and for customers and our business to achieve great results. Sherwin‑Williams is a place that takes its stability, growth and momentum and translates it to possibility for our people.

Our people are behind the strength of our success, and we invest and support you in your life, career and connection. We offer a wide range of world‑class benefits designed for you, including retirement and health care plans, benefits to enhance your health and well‑being, and a general description of benefits can be found at

Sherwin‑Williams is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, age, pregnancy, genetic information, creed, marital status or any other consideration prohibited by law.