About the Role

The Corporate Accountant supports the Company's accounting, financial reporting, compliance, and close processes while helping ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial information. This role is responsible for preparing journal entries, account reconciliations, financial analyses, and supporting statutory, audit, and regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate brings strong accounting knowledge, attention to detail, analytical capabilities, and the ability to collaborate effectively across functions in a dynamic business environment. This position is based at Ketjen's Clear Lake office in Houston, Texas and follows a hybrid work schedule

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

General Accounting & Monthly Close

• Review journal entries, accruals, reclassifications, and other accounting transactions in accordance with company policies and generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
• Collaborate with accounting team for monthly, quarterly, and annual account reconciliations and resolve reconciling items in a timely manner.
• Support the financial close process by ensuring accurate and timely recording of financial activity.
• Analyze account balances, investigate variances, and provide explanations of significant fluctuations.

Financial Reporting & Compliance

• Lead in the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports and supporting schedules.

• Direct the preparation and review of financial reporting compilations, lender reporting packages, and acquisition opening balance sheets, including purchase accounting adjustments, fair value assessments, and post-acquisition integration reporting.

• Manage compliance with accounting policies, internal controls, and financial reporting requirements.
• Prepare supporting documentation and analyses for both internal and external reporting needs.

• Coordinate the preparation of footnotes and disclosures for external reporting.

• Research accounting issues and assist with the application of accounting guidance to business transactions.

Audit & Internal Controls

• Direct the organization's external audit process by collaborating with accounting team to prepare schedules, reconciliations, and required documentation, enabling the timely completion of audit deliverables and supporting a successful audit outcome.
• Manage auditor relationships and coordinate cross-functional responses to audit inquiries, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and adherence to reporting deadlines.
• Support implementation and monitoring of financial policies and procedures across the organization.

Process Improvement & Business Support

• Identify opportunities to improve accounting processes through standardization, automation, and enhanced controls.
• Assist with implementation and optimization of ERP, reporting, and financial systems.
• Provide financial analysis and support for special projects and business initiatives.
• Collaborate with finance, tax, treasury, operations, and other functional teams to ensure accurate financial reporting and business support.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications

• 8 to 10+ years of experience in corporate accounting, financial reporting, public accounting, or a related discipline.
• CPA certification and a master’s degree in accounting.
• 5 years of experience with SAP and BPC systems. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.

• 3 years of experience in the preparation and filing of Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, and other required filings.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, financial reporting, and general accounting principles.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain financial information clearly and effectively.

• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong alignment with Ketjen's core values: curiosity, care, collaboration, humility, accountability, and integrity.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with external audit coordination, internal controls, or SOX compliance activities.
• Experience in specialty chemicals, petrochemicals, refining, manufacturing, or another complex global business environment.
• Knowledge of fixed assets, lease accounting, intercompany accounting, and statutory reporting requirements.
• Experience supporting accounting process improvements, system implementations, or automation initiatives.
• Experience working within a multinational organization with multiple legal entities and reporting requirements.