Principal Accountant - Financial Reporting Manager

Position Overview

Ascend Performance Materials is a global leader in high-performance chemicals, fibers, and plastics, committed to enhancing quality of life through innovation. With fully integrated manufacturing facilities across North America, Europe, and Asia, we develop essential solutions that drive safer vehicles, cleaner energy, advanced medical devices, and durable consumer goods. Guided by a strong focus on safety, sustainability, and customer success, we operate responsibly while delivering value through cutting-edge technologies and industry expertise.

The Principal Accountant – Financial Reporting Manager is a key member of the Corporate Accounting team and plays a vital role in managing the company’s global consolidated financial reporting under US GAAP. This individual contributor role, based at the corporate headquarters, reports directly to the Assistant Controller and works closely with internal teams and external auditors. The ideal candidate brings strong analytical skills, initiative, and a commitment to continuous improvement within a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

Targeted Outcomes

• Strengthen internal controls and improve processes for revenue, COGS, inventory, and intercompany accounting.

• Establish clear ownership of key reporting and analysis responsibilities and drive continuous improvement.

• Build effective relationships and foster collaboration with domestic and international stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Reporting and Analysis

• Prepare and analyze monthly, quarterly, and annual income statements and balance sheets.

• Prepare quarterly and annual cash flow statements for external reporting.

• Prepare quarterly and annual footnote disclosures and supporting schedules.

• Conduct variance analysis on key financial statements.

• Present complex financial data in simplified formats for management.

• Manage the monthly global close process in coordination with international sites, FP&A, and site controllers.

• Prepare and review timely, accurate corporate-level account reconciliations.

• Support the Ascend SOX lite compliance program and assist with FASB compliance and reporting as needed.

• Lead or contribute to government survey submissions.

• Manage quarterly and annual audit processes, including coordination with external auditors and preparation of disclosure checklists.

Technology and Process Improvement

• Serve as a lead or contributor for OneStream reporting and consolidation-related projects.

• Leverage modern technology to improve workflows and optimize financial processes.

• Assist with other ad hoc requests and projects to support the corporate accounting function.

Team

• Reports to Assistant Controller

• Interacts frequently with FP&A, Treasury, site controllers, international accounting teams, and external auditors.

Required Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance (CPA or MBA preferred).

• Minimum 5 years of relevant accounting experience.

• Solid understanding of intercompany and manufacturing accounting processes (chemical industry experience is a plus).

• Experience with SAP is strongly preferred.

• Familiarity with OneStream, BI tools, BPC, or HFM is a plus.

Required Skills

• Excellent analytical, written, and verbal communication skills.

• Strong time management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities.

• Attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy.

• Ability to interact effectively with a diverse group of internal and external stakeholders.

• Ability to leverage technology and process improvement methodologies (such as Six Sigma).

• Self-directed and comfortable in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

At Ascend Performance Materials, we value transparency and fairness in our hiring process. We do not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters, search firms, or staffing agencies. Any resumes received from such entities will be considered the property of Ascend Performance Materials, and we will not be obligated to pay any fees for such submissions. Our Talent Acquisition Team actively engages with preferred recruitment partners who have established agreements with us. We encourage all interested candidates to apply directly through our official channels to be considered for any open positions.

Skills Summary:

About Us:

Ascend Performance Materials is the premium provider of high quality chemicals, fibers and plastics. With world scale integrated manufacturing facilities we are able to develop new products from our core technologies, and provide flexibility to respond to the expanding needs of customers. Ascend has global sales and distribution facilities across the globe and six manufacturing facilities globally. As a privately-held company, our people do big things and make big decisions, often much earlier in their careers than at larger companies. Ascend Performance Materials offers team members the opportunity to contribute in big, meaningful ways—all within a stable and growing business.

Why work at Ascend?

Our vision is to be the recognized leader in the nylon 6,6 value chain, creating new possibilities with PA66 for everyone, everywhere, every day. We achieve that through living our Ascend values.

We care. We operate safely with high integrity for our employees, our customers and our communities. Our people are our greatest assets, and our Total Rewards Program extends beyond traditional benefits to include access to on-site medical clinics at our U.S. facilities, a global wellness rewards program and Performance Matters, an employee-driven recognition plan. Our Commitment to Zero demonstrates our belief that is it possible to operate with zero personal injuries, zero process safety incidents and zero environmental releases. And the Ascend Cares Foundation, led by Ascend employees, supports Ascend families in times of need, provides inspiring opportunities ​​for community engagement and facilitates community leadership.

Customer-focused. We exist for our customers; they drive our actions. Their success is our success. Our plastics and chemicals are building blocks that help make everyday essentials safer and more sustainable, and we constantly strive to develop new and innovative products to meet the future needs of our customers. And that customer focus doesn’t only apply to the marketplace – it also applies to how we treat our colleagues and our fellow community members.

Better every day. We invest in our people and our processes to improve every day. A2E, our continuous improvement program, guides the way we do business. And this way of problem solving applies not only to our manufacturing practices but also to our commitment to developing our people. You’ll see it during your career at Ascend in our leadership development, skills training and mentoring programs

Agile. We think broadly and lead proactively in a constantly evolving organization and industry. Agility doesn’t mean simply working quickly – it means critical thinking, creative problem solving and novel approaches to everyday challenges.

One Ascend. All together, with a common set of goals and an eye toward the future. We don’t accept silos. We look for ways to share across departments, sites and geography. This means you won’t be boxed into a single role at Ascend – you could get the chance to work with teams across the globe to improve the way we serve our people, our customers and our communities.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, citizenship, genetic information or other protected status under federal, state or local laws.