Job PurposeThe Accountant is responsible for maintaining accurate product and manufacturing cost records, supporting inventory valuation, and preparing cost and variance analyses. This role reconciles financial and inventory transactions, investigates discrepancies, supports inventory cycle counts, and collaborates with cross-functional teams to improve processes while ensuring compliance with company policies and internal controls.
Essential Functions and Basic DutiesCost Accounting, Inventory, and Financial Analysis
- Maintain and update standard costs for raw materials, labor, and overhead to support accurate product costing, inventory valuation, and financial reporting.
- Reconcile inventory records to the general ledger and prepare journal entries, accruals, and account reconciliations related to inventory, cost of goods sold (COGS), and manufacturing overhead.
- Coordinate inventory cycle counts and annual physical inventories, investigate variances, document findings, and work with Operations and Warehouse to resolve discrepancies and implement corrective actions.
- Prepare and analyze monthly cost variance reports, including material price, labor efficiency, and overhead variances, to identify trends, discrepancies, and opportunities for improvement.
- Support annual budgets and quarterly forecasts through cost analyses, allocation reviews, and profitability assessments of products, customers, and projects.
- Analyze gross margins, pricing, and cost drivers to identify opportunities for cost savings, improved profitability, and operational efficiency.
- Prepare financial schedules, analyze account fluctuations, and document significant variances to support financial statement reviews and month-end close activities.
SAP Transactions and Operational Controls
- Review SAP transactions, inventory movements, shipments, packing lists, sales orders, receipts, transfers, and service purchase orders to ensure accuracy, completeness, and proper financial impact.
- Investigate transaction discrepancies, inventory variances, and master data errors; identify root causes, document findings, and coordinate necessary corrections.
- Partner with Operations, R&D, Engineering, Procurement, Warehouse, and other departments to research cost drivers, inventory activity, and operational discrepancies.
- Communicate identified issues, financial and operational impacts, and recommended corrective actions to appropriate stakeholders.
- Monitor recurring transaction errors and recommend improvements to SAP workflows, approval processes, reporting, and internal controls to prevent repeat issues.
- Maintain supporting documentation and provide timely updates on assigned analyses, investigations, corrective actions, and outstanding items.
Revenue Recognition and Reconciliation
- Reconcile revenue transactions to supporting sales orders, shipment records, billing documents, and general ledger accounts to ensure accurate financial reporting.
- Review revenue transactions for accuracy, completeness, proper cut-off, and compliance with applicable GAAP requirements and company accounting policies.
- Investigate revenue discrepancies, shipment timing differences, credit memos, returns, and unusual transactions; coordinate resolutions with Sales, Operations, Customer Service, and Accounting.
- Prepare revenue reconciliations, supporting schedules, and analyses for management review, financial reporting, and audit support.
- Assist with revenue recognition reviews, audit requests, and documentation of accounting conclusions and identified risks.
- Identify and recommend improvements to shipment processing, billing, revenue reconciliation, and related internal controls.
General Accounting and Department Support
- Cross-train with accounting team members to provide backup support, promote knowledge sharing, and maintain continuity of critical accounting functions.
- Assist with accounts payable and accounts receivable activities as needed, including invoice processing, payment support, cash application, collections follow-up, and related accounting workflows.
- Provide support for bank reconciliations, payroll accounting, fixed assets, tax schedules, audit documentation, and other general accounting activities as assigned.
- Support month-end and year-end close processes by preparing journal entries, accruals, account reconciliations, supporting schedules, and variance explanations.
- Maintain accurate documentation and written procedures for assigned accounting processes, recurring reports, and backup responsibilities.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve accounting discrepancies, improve processes, and strengthen operational and financial controls.
- Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, internal controls, approval requirements, and business ethics standards.
QualificationsEducation and Experience- Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or business administration required.
- At least 2 years of cost accounting experience required.
- At least 3 years of experience in a manufacturing environment, preferred.
- Experience with general accounting, month-end close, account reconciliations, and supporting schedules required.
- Exposure to accounts payable, accounts receivable, fixed assets, payroll accounting, or audit support preferred.
- Experience developing or maintaining procedures, tracking tools, and documentation to support analysis and communicate findings preferred.
- Proficiency with SAP, SAP Business One (SAP B1), or similar ERP/accounting systems required.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, including pivot tables, lookup functions, data analysis, and reporting tools required.
Skills & Abilities- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with the ability to interpret financial and operational data and identify trends or discrepancies.
- High attention to detail with a strong commitment to accuracy, data integrity, and reliable financial reporting.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present and explain financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders.
- Ability to summarize findings, conclusions, and recommendations clearly in email, reports, and supporting schedules.
- Ability to ask clarifying questions, investigate issues independently, and propose practical solutions.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization.
- Self-motivated, with the ability to take initiative, manage assigned responsibilities independently, and follow through with minimal supervision.
- Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Demonstrated ability to problem-solve, identify root causes, and recommend practical solutions.
- Strong sense of accountability, professionalism, and commitment to confidentiality and ethical standards.
CompensationThe anticipated range for this position is $75,000 to $95,000 at an annual base. Actual placement within the range is dependent on multiple factors, including but not limited to skills, education, experience and location.
Working conditions- The Accountant works in an office and manufacturing environment.
- The Accountant may be required to work some evenings and weekends to fulfill the duties.
Physical requirementsMust be able to type keyboard of computer. Must be able to talk, listen and speak clearly on telephone. Must be able to lift and carry up to 40 lbs.
