The Accounting & Financial Analyst is responsible for providing accounting and analytical support across multiple areas of the Accounting and Finance department. This role will have a strong focus on cost and inventory accounting while also supporting financial analysis, account reconciliations, month-end close, budgeting and forecasting, and other departmental activities. This position works closely with the cost accounting function to develop a strong understanding of manufacturing costs, inventory, standard costing, and operational performance and will cross-train to provide backup support for key cost accounting responsibilities.
PRIMARY DUTIES
Cost & Inventory Accounting – Primary Focus
- Support cost and inventory accounting activities, including inventory valuation, standard costing, manufacturing variances, overhead, and labor analysis
- Assist with analysis of manufacturing performance and investigate significant cost, usage, labor, and overhead variances
- Perform inventory-related account reconciliations and assist with inventory reserves and other month-end inventory activities
- Support cycle counts and physical inventory processes, including research and reconciliation of inventory differences
- Develop a strong understanding of manufacturing processes, inventory flows, and related accounting transactions
- Cross-train on key cost accounting responsibilities to provide backup coverage and business continuity
- Work with Operations, Supply Chain, Purchasing, and other departments to research and resolve inventory and costing issues
- Assist with product, customer, channel, margin, and other operational profitability analysis as needed
Financial Analysis, Budgeting & Forecasting
- Prepare recurring and ad hoc financial analysis to support the Controller and other business leaders
- Analyze actual financial results against budget, forecast, prior periods, and other relevant benchmarks
- Assist with identifying and explaining significant financial and operational variances
- Support the annual budgeting process and periodic financial forecasts
- Gather and organize financial and operational information used in budgets and forecasts
- Prepare supporting schedules, trend analyses, and financial models as needed
- Assist with scenario analysis and other planning activities
- Support development and improvement of financial and operational reporting and key performance indicators
- Assist with analysis of margins, rebates and allowances, working capital, and other business performance measures
General Accounting & Month-End Close
- Prepare assigned balance sheet account reconciliations and maintain appropriate supporting documentation
- Prepare journal entries and supporting schedules as part of the monthly close process
- Research and resolve reconciling items and accounting discrepancies
- Assist with monthly financial reporting and variance analysis
- Support internal and external audit requests as needed
- Maintain organized and audit-ready documentation
- Support compliance with internal controls and company procedures
Additional Responsibilities
- Assist with international vendor deposits, inventory-in-transit, and related reconciliations
- Assist with GRNI and purchasing-related accounting and reconciliations
- Identify opportunities to improve accounting processes, reporting, controls, and data quality
- Assist with departmental process improvements, automation initiatives, and special projects
- Communicate effectively with Accounting, Operations, Supply Chain, Sales, Purchasing, and other departments to research and resolve issues
- Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to support changing business and departmental needs
