Job Description

JOB OVERVIEW:

The Liquor Research Accounting Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the activities of the liquor research team. This includes timely review and reconciliation of liquor statements, ensuring IR and OR vendor billing issues are resolved timely and accurately, leading the Fintech invoice process, Fintech vs iKitchen account reconciliations, and providing month-end analysis and support, while ensuring generally accepted accounting principles, established procedures, departmental guidelines, and regulatory requirements are adhered to.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

-Work with Sr Processor on liquor team, as well as IR Researchers and Processing team to understand and resolve challenges in processing liquor transactions for all liquor vendors

-Answer restaurant and vendor questions associated with liquor invoicing and payment

-Serve as subject matter expert on liquor, being aware of local regulations concerning payment type and terms. Work in partnership with Purchasing and Licensing to ensure timely resolution of issues, minimizing service disruptions and protecting Darden’s liquor licenses. Serve as team resource for all liquor related issues.

-Daily reconciliation of the Fintech invoice file against what has been keyed and approved at the restaurant. Work collaboratively with Corporate Reporting and Fintech in resolving reconciliation issues and providing solutions.

-Serve as Fintech system administrator, working proactively with Fintech to identify and resolve processing issues.

-Create and review liquor aging reports and track progress and results over time.

-Review status of liquor aging issues worked by the team, rank updates, assess risk opportunities, and prepare weekly summaries for management and team meetings.

-Monitor and collect outstanding liquor credits and ensure credits are properly recorded within AP

-Develop and maintain liquor processing procedures for all aspects of AP processing (i.e. issues, voids, Fintech, unique payment arrangements, vendor setup, etc.)

-Train new team members on liquor billing research methodology and procedures, including use of Discoverer, Excel, Oracle, Business Intelligence and Fintech system.

-Create ad-hoc reports for internal customers and vendors as required

-Work with Supply Chain Finance, Inventory, Purchasing and Licensing teams to roll out new vendors and restaurants onto Fintech and ensure A/P concerns are addressed.

-Implement process improvements to enhance productivity and effectiveness of team.

-Coordinate and/or prepare all month-end related liquor entries, accruals, voids and reissues as required.

-Serve as liaison for brand finance questions.

-Assist with P&L questions received from other departments or through P&L mailbox

-Perform accrual trend review/analysis as required.

REQUIRED TECHNICAL SKILLS:

-Three (3) to four (4) years responsible experience in the administrative and procedural functions of accounting work

-Ability to use Oracle & advanced expertise with PC software (Excel, Word, Outlook, etc.)

REQUIRED EDUCATION:

-Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting or Business

OTHER KEY QUALIFICATIONS

-Hands-on individual with the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.

-Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

-Proven leadership ability and capable of working well with others to promote a positive team attitude.

-Self-starter with the ability to prioritize, organize and complete work with minimal supervision.

-Professional approach in working with vendors, restaurant management, and various levels of employees within the RSC and the restaurants.

-Attention to detail with strong analytical skills & follow-through.

-Proven ability to work well under pressure in a fast paced/high volume environment while meeting deadlines accurately.

-Ability to effectively interact with all management levels and excellent interpersonal skills for resolving vendor/restaurant issues.

-Sense of urgency & willingness to make tough decisions.

-Determined, innovative and flexible.

-Intellectually curious & strong minded about controls.