Job Description

About Us

Matson Logistics is a leading provider of multimodal transportation, warehousing, and distribution services throughout North America. Known for our innovative solutions and financial strength and stability, Matson Logistics' people, processes, and systems work together to deliver superior performance and value to our customers every day. Click here to learn more about us!

About the Role

The Principal Accountant supports the Controller’s organization by playing a critical role in the monthly and quarterly financial close, SEC reporting support, and compliance with U.S. GAAP and SOX 404 requirements. This role ensures the accuracy, completeness, and integrity of internal and external financial reporting while providing analytical insight and continuous improvement across accounting processes.

This position provides a strong foundation for developing a comprehensive understanding of the financial close and reporting processes within a publicly traded company.

What you’ll do:

Financial Close & Reporting

• Support monthly and quarterly close processes, ensuring timely, accurate completion.
• Prepare and review complex account reconciliations, including variance analysis and resolution.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly journal entries in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
• Maintain supporting schedules, documentation, and audit trails for reporting purposes.

SEC Reporting & Compliance

• Assist with preparation of SEC reporting materials, including financial analyses and narrative support.
• Support internal and external audit activities, including SOX 404 internal control documentation and testing.
• Monitor compliance with internal policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.

Technical Accounting & Analysis

• Develop and maintain a strong understanding of technical accounting standards and their application.
• Prepare detailed financial analyses and ad-hoc query reporting to support leadership decisions.
• Assist with consolidation, reporting, and other complex accounting matters.

Process Improvement & Special Projects

• Identify opportunities to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and scalability of accounting processes.
• Participate in cross-functional initiatives and special projects as assigned.
• Contribute to continuous improvement efforts within the Controller’s organization.

Team Development & Collaboration

• Assist with training and development of Senior and Staff Accountants.
• Build strong working relationships across departments to support accurate financial reporting.
• Serve as a technical and process resource within the Finance team.

Additional Responsibilities

• Perform other duties as assigned to support business needs.
• Matson Logistics reserves the right to modify job responsibilities as business requirements evolve.

You have these qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting required.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, technical accounting principles, and SOX 404 controls.
• Advanced Excel skills and strong proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Extra credit if you have:

• CPA certification strongly preferred (CPA in progress may be considered).
• 5+ years of financial accounting experience, including recent close, reporting, and consolidation activities.
• Public accounting experience strongly preferred.
• Hands-on experience with financial and reporting systems; Workday experience preferred.

At Matson Logistics, we're looking for people to build a unified team to maintain our values of trust, integrity, and reliability. We welcome people who think rigorously and thoughtfully challenge assumptions.

The annual salary range is posted for this position in Illinois. The salary offered will depend upon qualifications and other operational considerations.

Matson offers medical, dental, and vision insurance benefits as well as a wide variety of other benefits to employees and their families. These benefits options include life insurance, supplemental life insurance, paid leaves of absence, and long-term disability insurance, as well as more specialized benefits such as emergency childcare, death and dismemberment insurance, prepaid legal services, and adoption assistance. Matson offers a 401k with employer matching and profit sharing, along with 9 paid holidays, 5 sick days and a tiered PTO plan. More information on our benefits can be found here

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