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

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• 3–5 years of accounting, cost accounting, financial analysis, or related experience
• Experience with cost and inventory accounting
• Understanding of general ledger accounting, account reconciliations, and month-end close processes
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills and ability to work effectively with large amounts of financial and operational data
• ERP experience and understanding of transaction flows within ERP systems
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Ability to prioritize workload and meet deadlines
• Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively across departments

Preferred

• Manufacturing or distribution industry experience
• Experience with standard costing, manufacturing variance analysis, and inventory valuation
• Experience with SAP or similar ERP system
• Experience supporting budgeting and forecasting activities
• Experience with financial reporting, business intelligence, or data visualization tools
• Exposure to rebates and allowances, sales tax, fixed assets, or other general accounting functions