Financial Analyst

Accounting AssistantLAEPPLE Automotive is a leading supplier in the automotive industry, specializing in high-quality components and systems for body components manufacturing. Our innovative technologies and efficient production processes set benchmarks in the industry. To grow our team in Detroit, we are seeking an Accounting Assistant responsible for supporting the Finance Manager with processing accounting transactions, maintaining financial records, assisting with accounts payable and accounts receivable functions, supporting month-end close activities, and ensuring accurate financial reporting. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, organized, and capable of working collaboratively with finance, purchasing, production, logistics, and supplier teams to support operational and financial objectives.Key Responsibilities:Ensure proper approval and coding of vendor invoices.Match purchase orders, receiving documents, and invoices (three-way matching).Resolve invoice discrepancies with suppliers, purchasing, and receiving departments.Maintain vendor records and respond to supplier inquiries.Investigate and resolve customer billing discrepancies.Apply customer payments and reconcile customer account balances.Maintain accurate accounting records and supporting documentation.Assist with account reconciliations.Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end closing activities.Assist with fixed asset record maintenance and depreciation reporting.Support inventory accounting activities, including cycle count reconciliation and physical inventory audits.Review inventory transactions for accuracy and investigate discrepancies.Support customer and supplier chargeback processing.Analyze production variances and assist with manufacturing cost tracking.Prepare recurring financial and operational reports.Support internal and external audits by gathering required documentation.Ensure compliance with company policies, GAAP, and internal control procedures.Assist in maintaining compliance with customer-specific requirements and financial controls.Maintain confidentiality of financial and business information.Other duties and tasks as assigned.Education and Experience:Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.Minimum of five (5) years of accounting, bookkeeping, or finance experience in an automotive manufacturing environment.Experience with ERP systems (SAP preferred) and financial software.Experience in a Tier 1 automotive supplier environment is a plus.Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including formulas, pivot tables, and data analysis.Basic understanding of accounting principles and financial reporting.Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.Ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.Knowledge of inventory accounting and cost accounting principles.Exposure to ISO, IATF, VDA or other automotive quality systems.Excellent verbal and written communication abilities.Strong interpersonal and relationship-building capabilities.Ability to work effectively within cross-functional teams.Self-motivated with a proactive approach.