Senior Accountant - Freight Car Products

Company: Wabtec
Location: Chicago
Posted on: January 18, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Job Description Summary: Senior Accountant , Freight Car Products The Senior Accountant will play a critical role in supporting the financial operations of the Freight Car product groups. This position is responsible for ensuring accurate financial reporting, maintaining compliance with accounting standards, and providing insightful analysis to support strategic decision-making. The ideal candidate will have strong technical accounting skills, a deep understanding of manufacturing cost structures, and the ability to collaborate cross-functionally. Location: Chicago Preferred Essential Duties and Responsibilities Overall accounting support for ~$350M sales across 7 operations sites in North America. Prepare and review monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements for the Freight Car product groups. Perform detailed variance analysis on product costs, margins, and operational expenses. Support the monthly close process, including journal entries, account reconciliations, and accruals. Partner with operations and sourcing teams to analyze inventory, variances, production costs, and capital expenditures. Assist in the development of annual budgets and quarterly forecasts. Ensure compliance with GAAP and internal controls. Lead or support internal and external audit activities. Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and accuracy. Provide ad hoc financial analysis and reporting as needed. Willingness for limited travel periodically to various sites across Chicago, Kansas City, Ohio, and Pennsylvania Education/Experience: Bachelor’s Degree (B.S.) in Accounting or Finance 2 years of progressive accounting or financial experience in a large company Thorough understanding of US GAAP and Revenue Recognition policies Experience with fully integrated ERP systems - Oracle (or similar software) Strong Microsoft Office computer skills – Advanced Excel (Pivot tables, Power Pivot, Power Query, VLOOKUP, etc), Word, Outlook, PowerPoint. Ability to prepare well-constructed spreadsheets demonstrating a high degree of financial acumen and presentation of such work. Personal Skills and Characteristics Driven and enthusiastic with the ability to demonstrate a passion to contribute to achieving business goals Strong judgment and decision-making skills Committed to driving change and accountability and implementing standard practices and initiatives Performs well with ambiguity and under pressure; can effectively cope with change and act without having the total picture Commitment to business ethics and integrity Additional Information Our job titles may span more than one career level. The salary rate for this role is currently $0-0 The actual salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors, such as: training, transferable skills, work experience, education, business needs, market demands and work location. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. More information on offered benefits, which include health, welfare, and retirement, are available at mywabtecbenefits.com. Other benefit offerings for this role may include annual bonus, if eligible. What could you accomplish in a place that puts People First? At Wabtec, it’s not just about a job - it’s about the impact you make. When our people come together, we’re Expanding the Possible by continuously improving what we do and how we do it - for our clients and each other. If you’re ready to revolutionize how the world moves for future generations, Wabtec is the place for you. Who are we? Wabtec is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions, and value-added services for the freight and transit rail sectors. Drawing on more than 150 years of experience, we are leading the way in safety, efficiency, reliability, innovation, and productivity. Whether it’s freight, transit, ports, logistics, mining, industrial, or marine, our expertise, technologies, and people together – are accelerating the future of transportation. With roots that date back to George Westinghouse, Thomas Edison, and Louis Faiveley, Wabtec has always built technologies and implemented solutions for a variety of sectors that are critical to meeting the needs of customers and governments alike. Our global team of about 30,000 employees worldwide delivers performance that moves the world forward. We’re lifelong learners, obsessed with better. Learn more at www.WabtecCorp.com. Culture powers us and the possibilities. We believe the best ideas come from a mix of experiences and backgrounds. At Wabtec, we strive every day to create a place where everyone belongs. We’re building a culture where leadership, inclusion and your unique perspective fuel progress. We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome talent of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities, including race, gender, age, disability, veteran status and more. Need accommodation? Just let us know - we’ve got you.

Keywords: Wabtec, DeKalb , Senior Accountant - Freight Car Products, Accounting, Auditing , Chicago, Illinois