Position: Manager, Financial Accounting

Location/Department: Universal Leaf North America/Onsite - Nashville, NC/Accounting

Status: Full-Time, Salaried Exempt

Reports To: Vice President, Financial Analysis

Our Company

Universal Leaf North America (ULNA), a subsidiary of Universal Corporation, is the premier supplier of quality, 

compliant, and sustainable tobaccos and services to our customers, where we conduct business in Canada, 

Guatemala, Mexico, and the U.S. 

Our Nash Facility is the most technologically advanced tobacco threshing operation in the world. We can process 

over one million pounds of semi-perishable tobacco per day by transforming it into a stable tobacco material that 

can be stored for years, all while meeting the exacting standards of the tobacco product manufacturers.

As a compliment to ULNA’s leaf stemming business, our J. P. Taylor Company, L.L.C. facility provides tobacco stems 

and scrap blending, rolling, and cutting, which further enhances the total value and usability of the entire tobacco 

leaf. Both the Nash and J.P. Taylor facilities maintain ISO9001 Quality and ISO 14001 Environmental systems, 

which further support our commitment to our customers and other stakeholders. The unusable tobacco waste 

material from both facilities is transformed into organic compost at our Carolina Recycled Ag Materials, LLC 

(CRAM) facility, which provides a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to commercial fertilizers.

Additional services include Universal Storages, where we assist our customers in managing their tobacco logistics 

and storage requirements. 

At Universal Leaf North America, our employees have proven a strong commitment to providing a quality product, 

excellent customer service, and operating in a sustainable and compliant manner.

Summary

As a Manager, Financial Accounting at Universal Leaf North America, you will oversee the organization's financial accounting functions, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting, compliance with accounting standards and regulatory requirements, and effective management of the general ledger.

What You’ll Be Doing (Essential Duties)

• Abide by and enforce company policies, safety procedures and good housekeeping practices
• Lead the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close processes, ensuring accurate financial reporting, analysis, account reconciliations, and compliance with applicable accounting standards and company policies.
• Oversee all accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts receivable, accounts payable, fixed assets, inventory, production, sales, shipments, and related financial transactions.
• Manage inventory accounting and costing activities, including monthly inventory reporting, reconciliations, and annual inventory valuation and costing processes.
• Coordinate domestic and international intercompany transactions and ensure proper accounting treatment for leases and other complex accounting matters.
• Ensure compliance with corporate, regulatory, governmental, SOX 404, and internal control requirements by supporting control testing, compliance reporting, and remediation activities.
• Coordinate and support internal, external, and ISO audits, including the preparation of audit schedules, documentation, and responses to auditor inquiries.
• Maintain and strengthen internal controls while identifying and implementing process improvements, automation opportunities, and best practices to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and scalability.
• Support accounting-related system implementations, enhancements, and information system projects to improve reporting capabilities and operational effectiveness.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to provide financial insights, support customer invoicing processes, and prepare ad hoc reports and analyses related to sales, inventory, receivables, and other business metrics.
• Performing other duties and special projects as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or equivalent degree
• Five to seven years of accounting experience in a manufacturing environment
• Five or more years of Sarbanes Oxley 404 experience
• Computer proficiency, including Microsoft applications
• Progressive experience working with accounting personnel
• Experience with creating efficiencies in workflows and automating manual processes
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Strong organizational and critical thinking skills
• Effective analytical, planning and organizational skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Willingness to travel
• Adapt to frequent changes in climate, environment, workload and schedules, including Saturday and Sunday work when required

Preferred Requirements

• CPA or CPA Candidate preferred
• Working knowledge of Dynamics systems preferred
• Knowledge of ISO quality programs helpful

Benefits We offer a wide range of market-competitive total rewards that include 401(k) match, pension, merit increases, paid holidays, medical, dental, life, vision, short and long-term disability benefits, and tuition assistance to name a few.

EOE M/F/Disabled/Vet Employer
All applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.