Accounting Manager APM

Avient is seeking a strategic, detail-oriented, and business-minded Lead Accountant – Avient Protective Materials (APM) to join our team. This role offers a unique opportunity to lead global accounting and reporting for the APM business while partnering closely with finance and business leaders to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant financial results. Our leaders are instrumental in driving Avient’s success by aligning financial stewardship, operational execution, and cross-functional collaboration. The Lead Accountant serves as the process owner for APM accounting and reporting, ensuring strong governance while driving continuous improvement across accounting, tax, and treasury activities. This role is a key partner to FP&A and corporate functions, providing insights, maintaining compliance, and supporting business initiatives. Reporting into Finance leadership, this role leads a global team of accounting professionals and is responsible for financial close, consolidation, statutory compliance, and key operational reporting. The Lead Accountant also acts as a trusted advisor and subject matter expert, supporting complex transactions and business initiatives while ensuring alignment with Avient policies and standards. The ideal candidate is a collaborative, accountable, and solutions-oriented leader with strong technical expertise and a continuous improvement mindset. They must be able to operate effectively in a global environment, balance multiple priorities, and build strong partnerships across functions. Responsibilities Lead and develop a team of accounting professionals, serving as the process owner for APM accounting and reporting while fostering strong collaboration with FP&A and business partners. Lead the monthly and quarterly global consolidation of APM financial statements, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and compliance with Avient accounting policies and reporting standards. Own the team’s deliverables, including monthly management reporting, statutory and group audits, including the Netherlands group audit, GBS performance reviews, CAPEX reporting, fixed cost reporting, incentives reporting, and related analyses. Drive a strong control environment by ensuring SOX compliance, including the timely execution and monitoring of internal controls. Identify and lead continuous improvement initiatives across accounting, tax, and treasury, including process automation, GBS transitions, and reporting enhancements. Serve as the APM center of expertise for accounting, tax, and treasury matters, providing guidance to the business on complex transactions and special projects. Act as a key liaison between APM and internal and external stakeholders, including Corporate Accounting, Legal, Internal Controls, external auditors, and tax advisors. Ensure IAS 12 and corporate income tax compliance for APM entities and the Netherlands tax unity, including timely and accurate tax filings. Monitor transfer pricing positions and execute adjustments to ensure compliance with established benchmarks and regulatory expectations. Own APM global cash management activities, including cash forecasting, pooling structures, intercompany loans, and related treasury activities. Coordinate the end-to-end dividend process, ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant execution. Support broader finance and business initiatives by providing financial insights, analysis, and operational support as needed. Continuously enhance accounting processes, tools, and reporting capabilities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and scalability. Embrace the role of a change agent, modeling Avient Leadership Behaviors and driving accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement across the team. Education and Experience Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field required; CPA or equivalent certification preferred. Minimum of 10+ years of progressive accounting or finance experience. Experience in a global, publicly traded manufacturing or similarly complex, matrixed environment strongly preferred. Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP/IFRS, financial close processes, consolidation, and internal controls (SOX). Experience with statutory reporting, tax compliance, and transfer pricing concepts preferred. Strong financial acumen with the ability to analyze results and provide actionable insights. Capability to lead teams, develop talent, and drive accountability for results. Excellent collaboration skills, with the ability to effectively partner across FP&A, tax, treasury, and corporate functions. Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities. High attention to detail, integrity, and ability to manage sensitive and confidential information. Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to navigate complexity and drive solutions. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel; experience with ERP systems and financial reporting tools preferred.