Lease Accountant-III

The Senior Accountant is part of the North America accounting team, responsible for supporting various North America accounting tasks associated with lease accounting. Tasks include month-end close duties, reconciliations, journal entries, maintaining strong internal controls, delivering timely, accurate, & relevant financial information to internal customers and being an active, collaborative business partner.  Responsibilities include assisting with the preparation of internal/external financial reports, and other ad-hoc accounting support tasks.                        

Essential Functions/Responsibilities: 

• This role is focused on lease accounting, to ensure Columbia records accurate balance sheet and income statement activity in accordance with ASC 842.  This includes the right of use asset and lease liability, tenant improvement allowances, nonlease components, rent accruals and the recognition of lease associated expenses.  Types of leases at Columbia are primarily related to B&M stores but also include sales offices and corporate facilities and others. 

• Responsible for the preparation of monthly and quarterly General Ledger entries and reconciliations in an efficient, timely manner and in accordance with GAAP  

• Perform analysis of accounting records to explain variances resulting from financial statement review and inquiries from management  

• Perform monthly account analysis of balance sheet and income statement accounts 

• Engage with various accounting teams on GAAP accounting issues as needed, discuss with Accounting Manager or Regional Controllers 

• Prepare quarter-end and year-end lease schedules for management review and for preparation of year-end SEC financial statements and footnotes. 

• Review and analyze landlord billings for CAM, marketing, taxes, insurance, etc.  Correspond with landlord representatives and Columbia’s Real Estate team on variances and reconciliations. 

• Create sales statements on a recurring basis to submit to landlords in accordance with lease requirements.  Coordinate the internal review process with Columbia leadership as appropriate.  As needed, support landlord audits of reported activities. 

• Assist with the monthly rent payment file preparation reviewed by Columbia’s Sr. Director of Real Estate before payment by the Accounts Payable team. 

• Deliver financial planning estimates of associated lease expenses and review/coordinate with regional finance teams for forecast, budget, and long-range planning purposes.  Support other ad-hoc requests from the regional finance or Real Estate teams, including review of new leases or lease renewals. 

• Special projects as needed or assigned by Accounting Manager 

• Maintain SOX compliance activity and documentation.  Understand and maintain internal control procedures. 

• Maintain high level of productivity, working to drive continuous improvement of accounting processes and procedures. 

Secondary Functions:  

• Perform other related duties as assigned 

• Maintain positive open lines of communication with all Columbia Sportswear management, staff and other departments in order to contribute to the smooth flow of information and efficient operation of the organization. 

Job Scope: 

Job consists of recurring work situations with occasional variations from the norm.  Incumbent completes tasks and functions of a moderately complex nature.  The incumbent operates from some established policies and procedures, occasionally creating new ones with the Manager’s review and approval.  Duties are performed with minimal supervision and direction.  Because of the exactness required in an accounting function, work is checked by Managers.  Decisions are made within general department guidelines.  Errors in judgment can adversely affect financial statements resulting in the dissemination of incorrect information used to make strategic/planning decisions. 

Interpersonal Contacts: 

Contacts are normally made with others inside the organization, including the Real Estate team, the Financial Planning & Analysis team, and the Technical Accounting team.  Internal contacts include the Chief Accounting Officer, Regional Controllers, Managers and various company executives.  Interactions tend to focus on information exchange and problem solving.  Contacts frequently contain confidential/sensitive information.  Incumbent frequently initiates contacts on their own with 10% - 15% being by phone and the remainder via face-to-face interaction.   

Supervisory Responsibility: 

This job is not supervisory in nature. 

Specific Job Skills: