Director, External Reporting

The External Reporting team, which includes the technical accounting function, is responsible for providing clear, complete, accurate and consistent financial information to meet the requirements of both internal and external stakeholders. The Director, External Reporting will lead this mission by leveraging a strong leadership, project management and technical accounting background as well as an ability to collaborate with various teams across the broader organization. The Director, External Reporting will primarily focus on leading the preparation and presentation of financial information in compliance with US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (US GAAP) or local GAAP, regulatory requirements (e.g., SEC Forms 10-Q, 10-K, 11-K and Proxy), statutory requirements and company policies globally. Additionally, the Director, External Reporting will be responsible for leading the understanding of complex transactions and how they apply to the accounting standards under US GAAP and interpretive guidance, including communicating with management and applying new accounting pronouncements to the Company. This leadership position plays an important role in ensuring complete, accurate and timely accounting records and external financial reporting.

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.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

Lead the SEC Reporting team’s preparation of the Company’s 10-Q and 10-K filings in accordance with US GAAP and SEC regulatory requirements as well as the Proxy in partnership with the legal department

Establish a timeline for completion of tasks to ensure internal and external deadlines are met

Oversee preparation of financial statements and footnotes

Guide and review various tie-outs to company records (financial statements, footnotes, MD&A, earnings release, etc.) for completeness and accuracy

Utilize Workiva reporting platform for review of the 10-Q, 10-K, earnings release documents, and Audit Committee/Board materials

Oversee completion of the US GAAP disclosure checklist and other checklists as needed

Manage the Quarterly Earnings Binder and other stakeholder deliverables

Lead, along with legal, the preparation of the Proxy in Workiva. Review of information presented for completeness and accuracy including the tie out of certain financial and non-financial information

Perform month-end and quarter-end close procedures

Lead the monthly share reconciliation process

Review of stock-based compensation entries and forecast

Review of the quarterly and annual pension and OPEB entries

Review the monthly balance sheet, equity, and cash flow statements

Act as the liaison with external audit

Lead the technical accounting process, including but not limited to:

Evaluation and final review of accounting matters and how they relate to US GAAP and interpretative guidance

Evaluation and final review of global matters governed under local GAAP (for example, IFRS) as well as US GAAP to other GAAP differences

Lead consultations with external third-party accounting firms on technical accounting matters as needed

Finalize accounting conclusions for unique transactions by researching applicable accounting guidance and reviewing documentation

Review and help guide accounting memo preparation that uses clear and concise writing to satisfy external and internal audit as well as senior finance leadership

Communicate technical accounting conclusions in an easy-to-understand manner to internal stakeholders that may have non-accounting or non-finance backgrounds

Review new accounting pronouncements as they are issued; assess, review documentation and communicate impact to the Company

Lead the implementation process associated with the adoption of new accounting standards, including leading the adoption of the DISE standard

Act as the liaison with external audit for these matters

Lead the statutory reporting process, including but not limited to:

Oversee and lead the statutory reporting process for the global enterprise

Lead the coordination of statutory reporting compliance with enterprise-wide and local accounting teams, as well as audit firms as needed and determine strategies to enhance consistency in statutory policies and practices

Proactively solution concerns and issues across the global organization as a trusted and reliable business partner

Lead the implementation and maintenance of statutory reporting on the Workiva Global Statutory Reporting solution

Lead the process for certain domestic statutory reports such as the Puerto Rico Branch and Sherwin-Williams Insurance Company as well as benefit plan financial statements, including an 11-K filing with the SEC

Collaborate with various business partners on quarterly releases and filings including, but not limited to, the following materials:

Investor relations presentations and slide decks

Investor relations earnings call scripts

Partner with tax, treasury, legal and other business partners to meet disclosure requirements

Contribute to team success

Provide thought leadership on best practices to advance automation and the use of artificial intelligence to unlock value in the reporting process

Provide continuous coaching and mentoring to team members, including giving timely, constructive feedback and participating in formal appraisal process

Lead weekly team meetings

Participate and lead projects and non-routine transactions, as needed

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Required:

Bachelor’s degree with a major in accounting

Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

Required 10+ years of experience in:

Accounting and Reporting Regulation Knowledge – Ability to apply knowledge of rules and regulations to maintain financial records, review financial statements, and comply with legal and regulatory requirements, as well as apply the rules and regulations governing financial accounting in accordance with US GAAP to support financial reporting for the industry/division/enterprise.

Internal Controls Background – Ability to marry the practices and procedures that are in place at the Company with the financial reporting requirements under SOX to ensure the completeness and accuracy of financial information and transactions presented.

Strong Project Management Skills – Proven history of managing a team of individuals on large-scale projects that have timely deadlines, while delivering exceptional results.

Financial Statement Analysis – Ability to interpret financial data, such as financial statements, performance metrics and other ad hoc data, and identify trends and patterns in financial data, and translate them into meaningful insights.

Financial Systems & Digital Literacy – Stay current on continually transforming financial and cross-functional systems/platforms to support the IT projects, gain insights and drive innovative, timely, and prudent recommendations.

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:

Big Four public accounting experience

SEC reporting experience

Technical accounting experience

Employee benefit plan experience

Experience with Oracle financial systems, OneStream and/or Workiva

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:

Life … with rewards, benefits and the flexibility to enhance your health and well-being Career … with opportunities to learn, develop new skills and grow your contribution Connection … with an inclusive team and commitment to our own and broader communities It's all here for you... let's Create Your Possible

At Sherwin-Williams, part of our mission is to help our employees and their families live healthier, save smarter and feel better. This starts with a wide range of world-class benefits designed for you. From retirement to health care, from total well-being to your daily commute—it matters to us. A general description of benefits offered can be found at http://www.myswbenefits.com/ . Click on “Candidates” to view benefit offerings that you may be eligible for if you are hired as a Sherwin-Williams employee.

Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case and will impact where actual compensation may fall within the stated wage range. The wage range listed for this role takes into account the wide range of factors considered in making compensation decisions including skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. The wage range, other compensation, and benefits information listed is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, with or without notice, subject to applicable law.

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws including with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act where applicable.

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 or by contract.

As a VEVRAA Federal Contractor, Sherwin-Williams requests state and local employment services delivery systems to provide priority referral of Protected Veterans.

Please be aware, Sherwin-Williams recruiting team members will never request a candidate to provide a payment, ask for financial information, or sensitive personal information like national identification numbers, date of birth, or bank account numbers during the application process.