Essentra is a leading provider of essential components and solutions. Every day we produce and distribute millions of small but essential products. Our international network extends to 34 countries and includes approximately 50 principal manufacturing facilities, 32 sales and distribution operations, and 3 research & development centers.

At the center of everything is our purpose, to responsibly provide the products and services our customers need to succeed. Put simply, our purpose is why we exist as a company. Many companies claim to be changing the world; we don’t. But we do make a powerful difference to our customers. We make it work. Every one of us. Every day.

Job Description

Essentra is currently hiring a Compliance and Controls Accountant to be based in Houston, TX. This position will cover the AMERS (Americas) region, which includes North and South America. This is a hybrid role which will require working in the office 3 days a week and some occasional travel.

Job Description

The Americas Compliance & Controls Accountant is responsible for setting the standard, helping management, implementing appropriate controls, and monitoring compliance of the overall control environment for the Americas region (Canada, US and LATAM). Will also coordinate with the Finance Managers, Controllers and Transactional Finance Teams to ensure procedures and processes are in place and operating effectively across the business in alignment with Minimum Control Standards per the Essentra Accounting Manual. Regular reporting to Control Owners and Americas Finance Management team members.

Typical Accountabilities:

Control Environment

• Maintain scheduling and tracking of control files and balance sheet reviews across AMERS (the Americas). Support the AMERS team with checklist submissions to Group Finance by Working Day (WD) 10. Conduct at least two Control File reviews per month. Provide guidance and review support to Finance Managers and Controllers to ensure compliance.
• Independently verify key month-end and other controls to align with control file and balance sheet reviews, such as independent verification of revenue recognition.
• Lead the implementation of Minimum Control Standards (MCS) across AMERS, perform MCS action tracking, validation testing, and month-end control testing as needed.
• Guide and train the AMERS organization on Schedule of Authorities (SoA) compliance, define expected standards, and conduct approval testing within control validation processes. Maintain and communicate recommendations and updates to the SoA from the AMERS region to Group/Division.
• Facilitate workshops to improve procedures, policies, workflows, and documentation.
• Support internal and external audits, lead control improvements identified in audit findings, and monitor progress with control owners.
• Assist in the integration of acquisitions by implementing compliance and control procedures.

Inventory Management

• Liaise with the Supply Chain team to ensure annual submission of inventory count plans, validate locations, and verify reporting accuracy. Independently confirm monthly reporting compliance and accuracy.
• Track inventory counting procedures and ensure Warehouse Managers adhere to cycle count and full count procedures.
• Conduct random cycle count audits and ensure corrective actions are implemented.

Fixed Assets

• Capital Expenditure (Capex): Develop and maintain an automated capex workflow across AMERS, ensuring capex approvals comply with the SoA. Support initiators in financial modeling as needed. Analyze capex in progress, cash payments, and committed capex.
• Ensure annual asset impairment reviews are conducted and provide necessary training and guidance.

Banking

• Maintain and manage Citibank and other banking access rights across AMERS for both input and payment authorization, ensuring compliance with the SoA and workforce updates.
• Act as the primary point of contact with Citi USA/Canada to support Shared Services Team functions, including electronic payments and one-off check approvals.
• Perform periodic reviews of banking access rights and collaborate with the Group Treasury team to implement standardized procedures and improvements.

Travel & Expense Management

• Serve as the AMERS Concur administrator and liaison with Treasury for Citibank Corporate Cards, ensuring proper employee setup and training.
• Ensure compliance with and conduct reviews of employee expense reports in accordance with Essentra policies and procedures across AMERS.
• Oversee and maintain the Travel & Expense policy for AMERS.

Third-Party Due Diligence (3PDD)

• Oversee and ensure compliance with third-party due diligence processes for customers and suppliers in line with Essentra policies across AMERS.
• Provide training to relevant team members based on defined roles and responsibilities in 3PDD policies, procedures, and documentation.
• Manage a centralized repository (SharePoint/network) for 3PDD documentation and compliance records.
• Support commercial and supply chain teams in completing 3PDD requirements.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance or related field
• At least 4 years of related work experience
• Audit or internal audit experience is a plus
• Excellent math skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office Products (Excel, Word, Outlook)
• Willingness to travel within the U.S. and possibly Monterrey, Mexico (15-20%).
• Strong communication and organizational skills
• Experience using an ERP system
• Ability to influence peers and managers at all levels
• Procedure and process focused
• Ability to work in high volume environment
• Detail oriented and deadline-driven.
• CPA and/or MBA is a plus
• Bilingual in Spanish is a plus but not required.

We offer a competitive salary, bonus incentive, full benefits package, and generous paid time off.

Essentra is an EOE employer and we comply with E-Verify.